STAFF REPORT

The will of the people, always difficult to measure, is especially hidden on the occasion of such a lightly attended election as Saturday’s San Marcos school board vote

Only 2.5 percent of the eligible voters weighed in on the direction for San Marcos schools, resulting in one incumbent winning and another losing.

Meanwhile, Buda voters went for the familiar in their historic city council vote, while Kyle citizens decisively picked a new city councilmember and voted for civil service rules for their police.

In San Marcos, only 226 of 7,117 registered voters showed up for the District 1 trustee race, with only 31 of them going with seven-year incumbent Joe Castillo, who lost his re-election bid to David Castillo. The latter Castillo drew 173 votes for an easy win against the former Castillo and Lee “Barry” Davis, who finished with 21 votes.

In District 2, Margie Villapando is back for another term on the San Marcos school board after her 64-40 win over challenger Laura Duhon. Only 106 out of 5,790 eligible voters took part.

In another local school vote, the Hays CISD won permission to issue $86.7 million in bonds to build two elementary schools and a middle school for no anticipated tax rate increase. The initiative passed by better than a two-to-one margin, 1,114 to 470. Only 1,629 citizens, 4.5 percent of the registered voters, turned out.

The action was a bit faster in Buda, where 13.89 percent of the registered voters showed up to vote on the majority of seats on a new seven-member city council.

Mayor Pro Tem Bobby Lane now will become mayor after his victory over fellow Councilmember Hutch White. Lane outpolled White 211-195 in a race between sitting councilmembers who talked mostly about keeping Buda going in its present direction.

However, a new council seat, provided in the city’s new charter, remains unfilled as it puts into play another provision of the new charter. As none of three candidates received a majority vote, the city council will call a run-off election within 30 days.

Former Buda Mayor Billy Gray claimed an easy plurality with 180 votes. Gray will face newcomer Scott Dodd, who took 110 votes, in the run-off election. Todd Ruge, another newcomer, came in third with 104 votes.

Ron Fletcher, the long-time former chairman of Buda’s planning and zoning commission (P&Z), easily won the Place 1 seat with a 291-80 win over current P&Z commissioner Gerry O’Brien. Kelly Allen, chief financial officer for Jardine’s, ran unopposed for Place 2.

In Kyle, challenger David Wilson easily outpointed incumbent Dan Ekakiadis, 241-114, in an election that drew a ten-percent turnout. Eric Franklin received 24 votes.

Kyle voters also decided to administrate their police department under civil service rules, 344-219.

RELATED IN THE MERCURY:

• Schools, local councils up for grabs on Election Day
• Changing city councils debut tonight
• Buda’s crowded election
• Dodd beats Gray in Buda council run-off
• Two vie for Buda council seat in run-off election