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| School board incumbents keep seats |
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| Written by Maddy Houk / Patterson Irrigator | |
| Saturday, 10 November 2007 | |
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Local voters elected Patterson’s school board incumbents to another set of four-year terms Tuesday on an election day that featured a poor showing at the polls. Bobby Yamamoto, Barbara Hartsell, Gilbert Lujan and Bruce Kelly all retained their seats on the Patterson Unified School District board. They were challenged by newcomers Violet Wells, Cerise Cameron-Grice and Sonja Gunderson. Stanislaus County Clerk-Recorder Lee Lundrigan said Wednesday her estimate of the percentage of registered voters who cast ballots at the polling place was “in the teens” countywide. However, she said it will be a few weeks before the final vote count is completed. “We’ve got several thousand absentees to deal with countywide,” Lundrigan said. “ … Our goal is to try to get it done before Thanksgiving.” Though a high percentage of absentee ballots was cast, Betty Day, who worked the polling place at Patterson Covenant Church, said that few people voted during the 13 hours the polls were open. “Thirty-eight people out of a precinct of over 1,000 came through to vote,” Day said. Despite the low turnout, school board members said they were thankful for the voters who allowed them to continue. “I feel the community is behind us, and that they support us,” Hartsell said. “The board works well together. I always feel like it’s a team effort on whatever we decide to do.” Lujan said he was pleased with the outcome and feels fortunate the community had the confidence in him to continue for the next four years. “It’s a very exciting time for all of us,” Lujan said. “It shows a lot of trust and willingness to work together with the issues and challenges that lie ahead of us. This is true for the future and for the next four years. It provides an opportunity to continue on the specific visions and decisions we have made for the future — increase academic performance of every child, provide a secure and safe environment at every school and continue modernization projects. We have new facilities on the drawing board right now.” Yamamoto cited campus safety and an improved learning environment as goals. “I’m here for the kids, the teachers and the parents,” Yamamoto said. “I’m here for the community. I’m here because I want to make the school system a safer place for students to go to school and have a better learning environment.” Kelly, board president, said he also appreciated the challengers — Cameron-Grice, Wells and Gunderson — who stepped forth to run for the board. “I know Cerise (Cameron-Grice) the best,” Kelly said. “She’s been coming to the school board meetings and has been involved in site councils, committee meetings and presentations. She supports staff and presents the parents’ point of view. She’s been very helpful in what we do in the district. I also want to acknowledge Violet Wells and Sonja Gunderson. It’s a volunteer job, and it’s nice to see people interested in the community.” To reach Maddy Houk at the Irrigator, call 892-6187 or e-mail her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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