Regarding the recent Atascadero election: Congratulations to the incumbent City Council members who were re-elected.

You have a daunting task ahead of you. The $7.5 million debacle at Del Rio needs to be renegotiated with all parties. The fix must not drain our city’s finances.

Stimulating development of Colony Square, the Hoff property, and creating incentives for new businesses’ success must be a priority.

I want to thank the three challengers. You made this election meaningful.

Our Chamber should televise their 2016 forum as Paso’s Chamber did this year. Televised forums are seen by thousands.

Charles Scovell spent just about $4,000 on his campaign and received 41 percent of the votes. There’s a compelling message here for change.

The bad? Al Fonzi’s tacky conduct toward Chuck Ward and Charles Scovell. He used scare tactics and half-truth speculation to discredit Patriot Ward, using crude words like “dump Ward.” He dug up dirt on Scovell, dating back to his teens. To his credit, Scovell had gone back to school, was student body president at Cuesta, and operates his own business. He told me he was running for mayor to show other young adults they can turn their lives around as he did.

I want to thank Fonzi for his many years of (military) service to our country and his involvement in community service projects. I can’t condone his questionable tactics during this election.

I hope the 2016 City Council election brings out even more qualified candidates and spirited discussion. It’s the American way.

-- Jerry Clay - Atascadero