Llano voters made their choices known in several local races that were decided yesterday, including the Llano City Council, for which five candidates competed for two spots, and the Llano Independent School District Board of Trustees.
Voters decided to keep their LISD board president, Rick Tisdale, at Place 3, but school board newcomer Carlos Strand unseated the vice president at Place 4.
Llano City Council
Folks will see familiar faces at City of Llano City Council meetings.
The only incumbent on the ticket, real estate agent Kelli Tudyk, was re-elected to the council with 672 votes, according to unofficial results from the Llano County elections administration on Tuesday night.
Voters chose J.R. Decker, a local insurance agent, to fill the second open spot. Decker received 618 votes.
Tudyk said that one of her priorities is working toward getting a low-water crossing, and she also is looking forward to encouraging growth in the city.
“I was elated when I finally heard the news,” she said on Wednesday. “I feel honored that Llano has reelected me. I will always do my best and do what I feel is right. We have a great community and a lot of wonderful people who strive to do what’s best for Llano, and I plan to continue to do the same. We have a lot we need to do, while continuing to maintain the infrastructure.”
This will not be the first time Decker has served as one of Llano’s aldermen.
“I was grateful for the chance to serve my community again,” Decker said on Wednesday. “I just want to do the best job I can for every citizen of Llano. I don’t have an agenda; I just a want to serve. Thank you to those who support me. We must all work together for what Llano needs.”
Like many Americans awaiting the results of the presidential race, Decker did not know until Wednesday that he was back on the council.
“I was with family and friends until about 10 p.m., then we all gave up and went to bed.”
Tudyk said she is honored and thankful for supporters.
“I highly encourage citizens to start coming to the meetings and get involved to know what is truly happening within our city.”
Laura Almond came in third with 581 votes; John Ferguson had 412 votes; and Joshua Oebel ended up with 233 votes, according to unofficial results.
LISD Board of Trustees
Voters had a choice of four candidates--two incumbents and two challengers--to fill two seats on the Llano Independent School District Board of Trustees.
Bancorp South community president Tisdale garnered 6,069 votes to keep his seat at Place 3 against challenger Charlie White Jr., who received 2,084 votes, according to unofficial results.
Llano native Strand, with 4,183 votes, unseated Place 4 incumbent Cody Fly, who had 3,818 votes.
“I am very pleased that the voters in Llano County trust me for another term on the school board,” Tisdale said. “Going forward, my plans are to continue offering the very best education possible for Llano County students, to continue to demonstrate our conservative values and for LISD to be fiscally responsible to the Llano county citizens. I would also like to thank everyone who voted for me.”
Strand is a construction project manager who told The Llano News last month that he wanted to expand the vocational training programs offered by LISD.
