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Community Corner

Lewis Retains Seat, Wiest Gains Seat on Atherton City Council

Lewis retains her seat following criticism of her from a fellow council member. Wiest makes it after failing two years ago.

 

Incumbent Elizabeth Lewis retained her seat and Cary Wiest will join her on the Atherton City Council.

Lewis, the current vice mayor, maintained nearly 36 percent of the vote all through the night. 

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Lewis, who was criticized for receiving money from the Atherton Police Department's Political Action Committee, has 1,690 votes as of 11:30 p.m.

With Bill Widmer stepping down as Mayor next year, but remaining on the council, it is likely Lewis will assume Mayor duties.

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Jerry Carlson and Jim Dobbie are on the council through 2014.

Wiest, also supported by the POA, had 1,209 votes (nearly 26 percent) for second place in the race.

Greg Conlon, a Utah grad and Air Force veteran, had 1,002 votes and Denise Kupperman, who attended Menlo College and Cal, received 828 votes.

Lewis, a San Jose State grad, can turn her attention to pet projects such as a new Town Center and bike and pedestrian traffic solutions.

Wiest, who moved to Atherton in 2009, has been critical of the city council, suggesting the residents had lost faith in their city leaders.

Conlon supports the high speed railway, though he wants to see it done correctly, in a way that would enhance the Town Center rather than spoil it.

Kupperman is a dedicated volunter and a regular visitor to council meetings. She also chaired the Atherton Library Building Steering Committee.

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In related news, Measure M, the Build Our Ballpark measure, held a convincing early lead with over 75 percent of the vote with three of eight precincts reporting. The measure has over 1,000 more yes votes than no votes.

"I'm getting chills I'm so excited," said Mike Haven, who wrote the ballot measure. "We put a lot into it."

The baseball field could be built at Holbrook-Palmer Park through private funds.

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