Ceres council incumbents win easily

City Council incumbents Bret Durossette and Mike Kline easily won re-election Tuesday against two challengers.

Durossette had 976 votes, or 38 percent, with 83 percent of the precincts reporting. Kline was close behind with 941 votes, or 37 percent. Don Cool finished third with 403 votes, or 16 percent. Gene Yeakley had 205 votes, or 8 percent.

Votes yet to be counted could put Kline on top, but there are not enough to close the gap between the incumbents and challengers.

Durossette, 48, was appointed to a council vacancy in 2008 and won a full term in 2011. He is a physical education teacher and football coach at Ceres High School.

He said Tuesday night that Ceres has “a great council” and is ready to take on challenges with water, economic development and other matters.

“I’m just grateful that the citizens voiced their opinion and endorsed me,” Durossette said.

Kline, 57, a salesman for Tony’s Fine Foods in West Sacramento, won a second four-year term. He said he would like to continue bolstering police and fire services and business growth in the city.

“I think the citizens are liking the progress and liking the things that are taking place,” Kline said.

During the campaign, both incumbents noted the city’s improved finances and the long-term plans for West Landing, a mix of homes, businesses and schools near Crows Landing Road.

Cool, 62, is retired from industrial maintenance. He talked during the campaign about battling blight and assuring that roads, sewers and other infrastructure are in place for new development.

Yeakley, 64, a retired truck driver, listed public safety and blight as his top concerns. He also said he would work to get Ceres residents more involved in local government.

This was the last at-large election for the council, thanks to voter approval Tuesday of a switch to district elections as of 2017.

The mayor will continue to be elected citywide. Incumbent Chris Vierra was unopposed Tuesday in his bid for another term.

This story was originally published November 3, 2015 at 10:53 PM with the headline "Ceres council incumbents win easily."