by VERONICA GORDON
Buda Mayor-elect Todd Ruge took the oath of office at last week’s city council meeting thanking those who supported him in his campaign.
“I especially want to thank my wife Elizabeth,” Ruge said.
The council also recognized former Mayor Sarah Mangham for her service to the city. Mangham had to resign from office in October because of health reasons. She accepted a plaque in honor of her time as mayor.
Another election to fill Ruge’s council seat is set for Jan. 26, 2013.
Former Council Member Cathy Chilcote announced recently that she will be running for the position. Chilcote lost the election in November to George Haehn. Buda resident Wiley Hopkins has also filed for the Place 2 seat.
City staff recommended that the council take the earliest opportunity to hold the election because the person who is elected will have a shortened term of office.
The seat will be up for election again during the November General Election, said City Secretary Danny Batts. The earliest date available is Jan. 26, he added.
Council Member Ron Fletcher expressed concern that Buda residents are “all electioned-out” already.
“It’s going to be hard for the candidates to campaign during the holidays,” Fletcher said.
City Manager Kenneth Williams reminded council members that the election could result in a run-off pushing the outcome further into the spring.
Batts added that the term of office would be truncated by how long the election would take.
Mayor Pro Tem Bobby Lane said the cost of an election wouldn’t be worth it if the winner ended up having only a four or five month term.
Ultimately, the council decided on the Jan. 26 date. The filing deadline for candidates is Dec. 26. Early voting begins Jan. 9 and runs until Jan. 22.
Assuming there is no run-off, whoever is elected would assume office on Feb. 5, Batts said.
