Ballot Checks Stall Results in Palos Verdes Estates

While James R. Nyman clearly won one of the open seats on the Palos Verdes Estates City Council on Tuesday, the outcome for the other is in doubt with two votes separating second and third place--and 14 ballots still to be verified.

In tabulations election night, Rita M. Bayer took second place with 1,563 votes, ahead of Raymond D. Mattingly with 1,561.

Nyman came in far ahead, with 1,851.

Trailing were Robert A. Kirkman, with 961 votes, and Michael T. Williams, with 480.

City Treasurer Hazel L. Elder was reelected without opposition, receiving 2,796 votes.

City Clerk Barbara Culver said 11 ballots were cast by people who said they were registered to vote but whose names did not appear on the rolls at polling places, and there are three absentee ballots that may have been cast by people who also went to the polls. The ballots of the 11 voters whose registration is in question were kept separate from other ballots at the polling place.

The disputed ballots are being checked for authenticity by the Los Angeles County registrar-recorder. They will not be tabulated until that is completed today.

“I won’t read another mystery story because I’ve had all the suspense I can stand,” Bayer said, adding that if additional ballots should put Mattingly ahead of her, she will not ask for a recount.

Asked if he will request a recount, Mattingly said: “I have to think about that later.”

There was jubilation over the 88.6% support for renewal of the four-year special property tax that helps pay for police, fire and paramedic services. It passed 3,304 to 426.

Officials and residents who worked for its passage called it a vote of confidence in the Police Department. The proposition was supported by all five council candidates.

Nyman, 41, management information services director for the City of Inglewood, said he believes voters elected him because he has “the education, experience and background in community services.”

Bayer, 61, a volunteer with several community organizations, and Mattingly, 64, a retired hospital administrator, had similar messages during the campaign, emphasizing their free time and accessibility and the need for better communications between the council and citizens.