Things are moving quickly in Buda after Mayor Sarah Mangham’s announcement last week that she was resigning due to health reasons.
There was a bit of confusion as council members tried to figure out who could run without giving up their seat.
But in the end, Councilmember Todd Ruge announced his candidacy for Mangham’s vacated term.
Mangham had been elected to the position in 2011 and had two more years on her term. She submitted a letter of resignation to City Manager Kenneth Williams last Tuesday, Oct. 23.
Ruge was not sure at first if he would have to give up his seat to run for the mayor’s position. However, last Wednesday he received word from Buda City Hall that he was okay to run.
Ruge quickly sprang into action, as his Facebook page shows. He took his old election signs, duct taped over the words “city council” and wrote “mayor” in the spot.
He said he’ll have new signs soon but just wanted to get the word out.
Ruge, 40, was on the Buda Zoning Board of Adjustment before running for city council.
“I’m excited about the prospect of continuing to serve the citizens of Buda as its mayor and working collaboratively to insure (sic) a shared vision of a great community,” Ruge said in a press release. “Buda is on the threshold of many important decisions, and quality leadership will be crucial.”
Ruge holds a BBA in finance from St. Edward’s University and is married to Elizabeth Rhodes-Ruge. They reside in Old Town Buda.
