Webster takes Ward 1

By CHRIS VETTER

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- New Ulm lawyer Ruth Ann Webster handily won a vacant City Council seat Tuesday, securing 59 percent of the vote.

Webster beat Dennis Cummings by a 870 to 607 margin.

"I'm just thrilled. I'm very happy," Webster said. "I'm most excited about the half-cent sales tax."

Hard work was the main reason for the victory, Webster believes. She began her campaign early, knocking on doors and meeting her neighbors. She purchased several ads and lawn signs to get her name known in the community. She also was a frequent visitor at City Council meetings and town functions.

"I got to know all the issues," she said.

Webster also has been involved in a number of organizations in town, ranging from the League of Women Voters to the Chamber of Commerce.

The last woman to serve on the City Council was Virginia Burnett, who served from 1976-84, city officials said.

The seat was vacated by Councilor Denis Warta, who chose to not seek re-election. Warta had endorsed Webster for his seat.

Cummings, an evening manager at Cash Wise, was disappointed with the loss.

"I still feel good about this, and the support I had behind me," he said. "I believe in my supporters."

If he could do one thing differently, Cummings said he would have raised more money for a stronger ad campaign and done a better job on phone messages.

Webster thanked her supporters and friends and husband for all the work they did on her campaign.

Webster said working on plans for the new recreation facilities will be her first priority as a councilor. With the passage of the sales tax, the city can now construct $9 million in facilities. But the current price tag of the projects are $11.7 million. Webster said she wants to work at stretching those dollars as much as possible to get all the projects to be top-notch.

Webster said she is looking forward to serving her term.

"I'm going to have a lot of fun," she said.