Lifelong San Juan Bautista resident George Dias and incumbent
Dan Reed prevailed over four other San Juan residents for city
council Tuesday night.
Dias was the big winner of the night, receiving 36.1 percent of
the vote with 393 votes, while incumbent Reed eked out a 18.5
percent win over newcomer Ken Schipper, who barely lost with 18
percent of the vote. Reed garnered 201 votes while Schipper had
196.
San Juan Bautista – Lifelong San Juan Bautista resident George Dias and incumbent Dan Reed prevailed over four other San Juan residents for city council Tuesday night.
Dias was the big winner of the night, receiving 36.1 percent of the vote with 393 votes, while incumbent Reed eked out a 18.5 percent win over newcomer Ken Schipper, who barely lost with 18 percent of the vote. Reed garnered 201 votes while Schipper had 196.
Dias, 43, who was a planning commissioner for the past two years and former San Juan fire chief, was pleased residents felt confident in his ability to serve on the council. While he said he felt confident about a victory, he conceded being a council member won’t be an easy task.
“There is so much work to be done, where do you want to start?” Dias said. “All five of us have to get on the same track and get it done.”
Dias said his impression of the council was that the members had different ideas for tackling different issues, which caused some problems.
“I’m a new comer, but I would say yes, from the outside looking in (members had different agendas),” he said. “But ask me in another month and I might give you another answer.”
In a previous interview Dias said he’s watched council boards battle infrastructure problems and growth-control and tourism issues for years, and is ready to get in the hot seat and put his own ideas to the test.
Reed, 59, was overjoyed when he heard he had won, after it looked like incumbent George Rowe, Jr. would take back a seat earlier in the evening.
“I was able to squeak in there, and I’m still going to do my best to help the city of San Juan Bautista,” he said. “I think there’s a lot of really big projects we still need to get accomplished.”
Repairing the streets and fixing the city’s decrepit water system by securing a $3.8 million federal grant are two of Reed’s major goals during his next term, he said. The San Benito County Water District already approved $3.1 million for the city to help pay for the year and a half to two year-long reconstruction, according to the city manager.
Reed said he’s looking forward to welcoming Dias onto the council.
“I really have a good rapport with George,” he said. “At times, he doesn’t like the way I voted, but we’re always able to work it out together.”
Schipper, who barely lost to Reed by five votes, was disappointed with the outcome but said he might run for office again in the future.
“It won’t keep me from being involved in local city government,” he said. “I’ll still be going to city council meetings and voicing my opinion.”
Rowe, who received 15.1 percent with 164 votes, wasn’t phased by his loss to Reed but was happy his running-mate made it back onto the council, he said.
He said he had no bad feelings about the loss because he felt he accomplished a lot during his tenure. His biggest achievement was serving time as mayor, which was a life-long dream of his, he said.
“It doesn’t mean I’m going to give up politics. I’m going to push getting back on the planning commission,” Rowe said. “And it’s a possibility I might run again in two years because three seats will be open.”
Candidate Jim Pereyra, who received 9.6 percent with 105 votes, said he wishes both candidates well in their endeavors.
“The people have voted, so that’s the way it goes,” he said. “I’m not sorry I ran. I ran because I thought I had something to offer to the city and they’ve decided not. At least I got out and did something.”
Fernando Gil received 2.8 percent of the vote with 30 votes and did not return phone calls Tuesday.
Erin Musgrave covers public safety and the city of San Juan Bautista for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or em*******@fr***********.com
