3/10/2009 10:28:00 PM Prescott Valley voters return Skoog to mayor's chair with 74 percent of vote
Newly re-elected Mayor Harvey Skoog celebrates with his family and one of his granddaughters at Augie's All American Eats on Tuesday evening. TribPhoto/Heidi Dahms Foster
PV Councilwoman Mary Baker, local author and historian Jean Cross, and successful council candidate Patty Lasker chat during an election night gathering at Pony Espresso Tuesday. TribPhoto/Heidi Dahms Foster
In unofficial election results, Prescott Valley voters opted by an overwhelming margin Tuesday to keep Mayor Harvey Skoog for another four years. Joining him on council will be incumbent Harold Wise and candidate Patty Lasker. Voters also passed Prop 401, or Home Rule, by a large margin.
Of Prescott Valley's 19,436 registered voters, 36 percent, or 7,173 cast ballots in the election. Home Rule passed with 5,213 votes, or 81 percent, with 1,201 voting no on the proposition that allows Prescott Valley to set its own budget rather than use one set by the State.
Skoog took 74 percent of the 7,100 votes cast for mayor, with 5,201. Challenger Lisa Imburgia received 1,856 votes, or 26 percent.
To avoid a runoff, candidates had to receive 50 percent of the votes cast, plus one. Each council candidate needed at least 3,587 votes to win a seat. Harold Wise received 4,178 votes, or 36 percent. Patty Lasker received 3,740 votes, or 32 percent, followed by Darlene Packard, with 3,586 votes, or 31 percent. Because only 154 votes separated Lasker and Packard, uncounted votes could change the outcome. The County Elections Dept. expected to make the final count available by Wednesday.
Skoog said he thinks the people of Prescott Valley "have appreciated a conservative government."
"We have a real good council, a real good staff and a good community. It's all coming together. We're back in for another four years, and I think we're going to have the greatest four years in the history of Prescott Valley," he said.
Imburgia said she knew there would be one winner, but she was happy for those who voted for her.
"I tried. I think I did pretty well for someone who has only been here for three years," she said. "I had different opinions than (Harvey) Skoog. I still do. I didn't have the builders and landowners and everyone else backing me like he did, so I couldn't do as much. I still think I could do a better job than he does. Anyway, he's the mayor. I gave it a good shot and that's what counts."
Councilman Harold Wise said serving for another four years on council will be a challenge with the issues that face the town, but he appreciates the way people in the community pull together.
"Everybody helps everybody and that's what makes our community great. I feel very blessed to be able to serve here for another four years," he said.
Patty Lasker said she walked 300 miles during her campaign, an average of five miles each day, talking with people in the community.
"My feet aren't touching the floor right now," Lasker said after the votes were in. "I'm feeling very excited. It just shows a grassroots campaign can achieve anything. Which is what I believe about local government, or any level of government, that it's we the people. When we the people get together and work really hard, we see things happen, and this is a great example of that."
Reader Comments
Posted: Friday, March 13, 2009
Article comment by:
No name provided
Fine Job, Mr. Skoog and council! I am proud to live in Prescott Valley.
Posted: Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Article comment by:
b johns
Congratulations and continued best wishes to Mayor Skoog and to Prescot Valley
