Victor chooses to oust mayor

Victor’s mayor is out.

Residents of the Teller County mountain hamlet braved Tuesday’s snowstorm to cast just enough votes to oust Kathy Justice from the City Council.

“Everything I’ve done, I’ve done from my heart,” said Justice, who was narrowly removed by a count of 107 to 102.

Replacing her will be Serena Bielz, who received the highest number of votes — 62.

“I’m very, very pleased for the citizens,” Bielz said, adding she was surprised the recall vote was as close as it was.

Candidate John White received 43 votes; Ron Robb received 14. The term expires in 2009.

More than half of registered voters in Victor turned out for the election. Of 378 registered voters, 209 participated.

Voters also decided to repeal the city’s nuisance ordinance, which prohibits junked cars and trash on private property. The vote was 103 to 99.

Tuesday’s election was the second try by Justice’s opponents to remove her from the office. The first came in 2003 amid charges that Justice fostered a hostile city hall work environment and was responsible for the town’s financial problems. The result was a tie — 90 to 90 — and a judge decided that ousting Justice would have required a majority of votes.

Late last year, political foes circulated petitions, accusing her of malfeasance and failure to follow city ordinances.

Foes were upset about Justice’s annual $26,000 salary. Justice suggested the increase, saying she was doing the work of a full-time city manager, and the council approved it in 2005.

Bielz previously said if elected, she would return the money to city coffers.

Now, Bielz must prove herself to be the team-builder she’s promised to be and deal with the same challenges her predecessor did, Justice said.

“Now they have the target on their chest,” she said.

Though Justice said she is proud of her work to build a city hall and secure $3.8 million in grants and other funding, she said she’s also relieved she will no longer have to deal with constant criticism.

“There’s a ton off my shoulders,” she said.

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0285 or deedee.correll@gazette.com