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The movement to incorporate Alamo was defeated yesterday by 66 percent of the residents who voted against Measure A and cityhood. Turnout was 6,173 out of 10,508 eligible to vote.
“At one level it’s sort of emotional and at another level I wouldn’t have done anything differently,” said Chris Kenber, who campaigned hard for the passage of Measure A, at the supporters’ gathering at Alamo Women’s Club tonight.
The opponents to Measure A said they did not plan a public gathering but would stay home to learn the results.
Supporters of incorporation made an all-out effort in front of Alamo schools today, waving signs in the pouring rain and approaching cars with their literature. Both sides hung new signs almost daily during the last week and parked vehicles with large signs in prominent locations.
“Ninety-nine percent of those we polled said they loved Alamo or were very comfortable,” said Kenber. So, he surmised, they may have thought that incorporation would mean change.
The mood at Alamo Women’s Club was festive in the early evening as people visited and snacked at long tables and kept an eye on a screen showing the Web page from the County Elections Division.
Shortly after 8:30 p.m., the results were shown from the mail-in ballots: Measure A was losing by 66 percent. Out of 3,812 ballots – 1,278 voted Yes on Measure A; and 2,534 voted No.
“We did a helluva job – that’s all I can say,” shouted Chuck Steele.
The disappointed crowd remained upbeat as they visited with each other. Some supporters said the results would have been different six months ago when the economy was better, and also that they would have been different had the election taken place six months in the future because the county is talking about a utility tax and making cuts in the Sheriff’s Department.
Another move cannot be made to incorporate Alamo for two years. That is the soonest it can happen legally. Kenber, however, does not think incorporation will resurface for another 10 years.
By 9:15 p.m. Tuesday, as the reported numbers remained static, the Yes on A supporters began folding up the chairs and tables and packing up the food. A couple dozen people, including candidates, stayed to see the final figures posted at 10:15.
The election also included 15 candidates for a town council in case Alamo incorporated. The five with the most votes would have served.
Those results were as follows:
Grace Schmidt – 10.45 percent (1,838)
Steve Mick – 9.75 percent (1,715)
Vicki Koc – 9.74 percent (1,713)
Randy Nahas – 9.41 percent (1,655)
Bob Connelly – 8.96 percent (1,576)
Karen McPherson – 5.93 percent (1,043)
Vishwas More – 5.77 percent (1,015)
Roger Smith – 5.52 percent (971)
Diane Barley – 5.41 percent (951)
Brad Waite – 5.32 percent (936)
Dennis Johnson – 4.58 percent (806)
Joe Rubay – 4.55 percent (800)
John Morrow – 3.99 percent (702)
Kevin Morrow – 3.45 percent (606)
Karl Niyati – 2.7 percent (474)
Write-In – 1.46 percent (256)
Candidate Brad Stribling, who had dropped out of the race, received 527 votes, or 3 percent.
