Three vie for seat on council

Angels Camp voters will go to the polls Tuesday to choose between three candidates vying to serve the final year of late City Councilman Paul Raggio’s term.

The choices: Rick Downey, semi-retired former owner of SEI Solid Waste; George Fry, military veteran and retired parole officer; and Betty Raggio, Paul Raggio’s widow and a retired Caltrans technician.
 

Only one polling place will be available: Bret Harte High School Theater at 323 S. Main St., Angels Camp.

According to the county clerk, nearly half of the 1,328 absentee ballots issued had been sent in as of Tuesday. They have not yet been open-ed.

All three candidates cite water and the city’s lackluster business climate as their top issues.

Downey, 52, said bringing businesses to the city, especially the downtown, will be his focus, adding that 30 years as a small business owner gives him insight. Working for reductions in water and sewer rates also will be atop his agenda, though reductions won’t happen “overnight.”

A former college football player, Downey is active in the Bret Harte High School Football Boosters and is defensive coordinator for the school football team. He also serves on the Friends of the Fair Board.

Fry, 63, has run a biography-centric campaign, frequently alluding to his past experience, whether as a veteran, county land use planner, president of the board of the Vallecito Union School District, chairman of the county’s Mental Health Board or even as a Sears Roebuck & Co. manager.

He favors lowering water rates, likely by using the city’s $6 million water reserve account, and promoting growth without damaging the city’s historical character.

Raggio, 75, said she will put protecting water rights at the top of her agenda, like her husband. Business development is also important to her. She would like to look into reopening the city’s redevelopment agency and try to recruit light industry.

As a councilwoman, she said she would support tourism, the city’s Branding Leadership Team and work to preserve the city’s historical character. She’d also like to see a park and trail system put in along Angels Creek.

Two of the three candidates will hold election night events for supporters.

Downey is planning a low-key get-together at Angels Camp World Mercantile on Main Street from 6 to 10 p.m.

Fry has sent out flyers for an “Election Night Gala” with a no-host bar at Camps restaurant in Greenhorn Creek at the same time. Chains Required will provide the music.

Raggio will host a private gathering of friends and family at her home.

The only other election in the county will be for two seats on the Jenny Lind Fire Protection District Board.

Residents can vote at either the fire house, at 6501 Jenny Lind Road, or the Good Samaritan Community Church, at 4684 Baldwin St. in Valley Springs.

As of Oct. 27, 555 absentee votes had been received out of 2,454 issued.