Ponce takes two-year term, while Marshall re-elected
With the final votes counted, the Avalon City Council will have two new members, as Lisa Lavelle and Yesenia Sarahi De la Rosa have taken the two seats for the full-term city council position. Lavelle was the top vote getter, with 501 votes. The race was close, with De la Rosa grabbing the second-most votes with 424. She edged out incumbent Oley Olsen, who garnered 409 votes.
Anni Marshall retained her mayor position, in a race that was essentially settled weeks ago. Marshal took nearly 59 percent of the votes. Michael Ponce also had the race for the two-year term settled early, as he took nearly 65 percent of the votes in that race.
“I want to thank those having faith in me as their Mayor for the next 2 years,” Marshall said. “What a time to win. The City and community have many challenges ahead, definitely more than usual. COVID has us putting some of our ongoing issues in perspective. As we pray for a healthy and safe community, we will begin rebuilding our local economy. This will not happen overnight. I look forward to the combination of new councilpersons and some a little more seasoned. I wish Councilman Oley Olsen well. I will miss his institutional knowledge and intelligence.”
De la Rosa said in a released statement that she is confident that the island will find its way through the crisis by working together.
“Thank you to all who supported my candidacy,” De la Rosa said. “This is not how we envisioned the beginning of our term but now more than ever, we will rise to the occasion and work hard for Avalon during this unprecedented time. Our community’s strength, unity and compassion for one another will be our driving force. I know we will overcome these hardships and it will make us stronger. Be kind to each other and stay safe.”
(“Gracias a todos quién apoyó a mi candidatura. Esto no es como previmos el principio de nuestro término, pero ahora más que nunca nos elevaremos a la ocasión y trabajaremos juntos. La unidad de nuestra comunidad y compasión por un al otro será nuestra fuerza. Sé que venceremos estas regulaciones y nos hará más fuertes. Sea amable con los demas y mantenganse seguros.”)
