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RIFLE — Incumbents Jonathan Rice and Jay D. Miller retained their seats on the Rifle City Council in Tuesday's municipal election, and Richard Carter will join the group as a new face. There were three open seats with four candidates vying for the positions.
The election had a low turnout, with only 655 verified ballots turned in out of 2,649 mailed out, for a 24.7 percent return.
“That was to be expected because it wasn't a very controversial ballot,” said City Clerk Lisa Cain.
Rice got the highest number of votes with 525, followed by Miller at 471, and Carter at 429.
The fourth candidate, Wilma Paddock, received 358 votes.
Incumbent Jeanette Thompson chose not to seek re-election.
“I very much appreciate that the voters of Rifle have given me the opportunity to serve another four years,” said Rice, who is now entering his third term in office.
Miller will serve his second term in office.
“These are exciting times, and I hope to help turn Rifle's economy around and create some meaningful diversification of our economic resources,” Miller said.
“Rifle is doing things and we get many calls from other Colorado communities asking how we accomplished all that we have done during hard times. They can't seem to understand how we collaborate with other agencies to achieve common goals. I want to ensure that we stay in front of the pack to the benefit of Rifle's citizens,” Miller said.
Carter will begin serving his first term in public office next week.
“I'm excited to serve the community and I'm ready to get started,” he said. “I've already started attending City Council meetings, so I'm pretty much in tune with what's happening.”
Paddock was not elected, but wished everyone well.
“All the candidates were excellent and I know they'll do a great job,” she said.
The elected councilors will serve four-year terms. They will be officially sworn in at a public reorganizational city meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 19, at Rifle City Hall. At that meeting, the mayor and mayor pro-tem will also be appointed by the council.
The election had a low turnout, with only 655 verified ballots turned in out of 2,649 mailed out, for a 24.7 percent return.
“That was to be expected because it wasn't a very controversial ballot,” said City Clerk Lisa Cain.
Rice got the highest number of votes with 525, followed by Miller at 471, and Carter at 429.
The fourth candidate, Wilma Paddock, received 358 votes.
Incumbent Jeanette Thompson chose not to seek re-election.
“I very much appreciate that the voters of Rifle have given me the opportunity to serve another four years,” said Rice, who is now entering his third term in office.
Miller will serve his second term in office.
“These are exciting times, and I hope to help turn Rifle's economy around and create some meaningful diversification of our economic resources,” Miller said.
“Rifle is doing things and we get many calls from other Colorado communities asking how we accomplished all that we have done during hard times. They can't seem to understand how we collaborate with other agencies to achieve common goals. I want to ensure that we stay in front of the pack to the benefit of Rifle's citizens,” Miller said.
Carter will begin serving his first term in public office next week.
“I'm excited to serve the community and I'm ready to get started,” he said. “I've already started attending City Council meetings, so I'm pretty much in tune with what's happening.”
Paddock was not elected, but wished everyone well.
“All the candidates were excellent and I know they'll do a great job,” she said.
The elected councilors will serve four-year terms. They will be officially sworn in at a public reorganizational city meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 19, at Rifle City Hall. At that meeting, the mayor and mayor pro-tem will also be appointed by the council.
