Shelby Escott
Features Editor
The polls are closed and the votes are in — mostly. There were some nail biters as well as some landslides. But the voters have spoken. These are the results the people have chosen.
From small re-elections of council members to big decisions on new measures, the voters did their job in making those choices. On Nov. 4 the people exercised their rights in passing Measure BB and selecting Jerry Brown for Governor again.
“I congratulate all those that won and look forward to working with all of them in the future on things that relate to community colleges, specifically Las Positas College,” Las Positas President Barry Russell said.
Measure BB, needing 66.7 percent support to pass, gained more than enough with 69.6 percent in support. This will mean a doubling in transportation taxes, bringing to total to 1 percent, the highest sales tax rate in Northern California.
The tax will provide funds to public transit in the amount of $3.7 billion, road maintenance and improvements to freeways of $3 billion and $1 billion for pedestrian safety and added bike lanes. Also, it provides a down payment of $400 million for BART to extend to the Livermore area.
The passage of BB will assist future students who need to travel from farther away in that now they will be able to take BART to Livermore and a shuttle to the campus.
The results were mixed for the candidates who visited the campus to gain college student votes, but most were met with good news.
Republican Hugh Bussell, candidate for the seat in the 15th Congressional District, lost to Democrat Eric Swalwell who garnered 69 percent of the vote. He took the loss graciously, giving Swalwell a congratulatory call for a race well won.
Incumbent city councilman Bob Woerner and Livermore City Planning Commissioner Steven Spedowfski beat out candidate Chris Pareja for Livermore City Council.
Kathy Narum, the incumbent Pleasanton City Council member, beat the competition of three opposing candidates, George Bowen, Arne Olson and Olivia Sanwong.
The race between Catherine Baker and Tim Sbranti for a seat in the California State Assembly’s 16th District was down to the wire. But by Wednesday afternoon, with the absentee ballots all counted, Republican Baker was declared the winner by a 4 percent margin, beating Democrat Sbranti 52 percent to 48 percent.
Last, were the three candidates for the Board of Trustees. Two ran unopposed, Hal Gin and Donald Gelles. Trustee Isobel Dvorsky ran against Gene Judson. She won with 53.7 percent of the vote.
“The fact that she won will provide continuing service for her and stability for us,” Russell had to say of Dvorsky’s win. “So I think it’s a great resolution to the race.”
With the midterm elections concluded, the people can now sit back as their choices take effect around the Bay Area.
With new elected officials and transportation benefits — and taxes — Californians have exercised their rights as Americans to vote once again. Now it is up to the newly elected officials to fulfill their promises as they take their places until their terms expire and the process starts over again next Election Day.
