FOUNTAIN VALLEY : Voters Reelect Cook, but Neal Loses Seat

Mayor Laurann Cook overwhelmingly won reelection to the City Council, but voters ousted incumbent James E. Neal. Seats were won by community leader John Collins and Guy Carozzo, a retired high school principal.

“I was elated and very pleased that the citizens expressed their confidence in me by showing their wide support,” Cook said.

Collins said he was surprised that he defeated Neal and speculated that strong name recognition associated with his involvement in several community organizations helped him get the votes.

“Serving on the council is just a logical extension of everything I have done for the community in the last 17 years,” he said.

Carozzo had been something of a dark-horse candidate, and he attributed his victory to his promise not to accept campaign contributions.

“Whenever asked what I wanted for the city, I answered by asking them what they wanted me to do,” he noted.

Cook’s term as mayor will end Dec. 4, when the position--which is rotated every two years among council members--will go to the person next in line based on seniority and council approval.