Archer candidates face off in Tuesday election

ARCHER – In the city of Archer, two candidates will square off on Tuesday to fill one seat on the city commission.

Laurie Costello and Fletcher Hope are vying to fill the seat vacated by former commissioner Roberta Lopez, who resigned Sept. 12. The successful candidate will serve the remainder of the term, which expires November 2012.

Archer needs “someone who knows a lot about the city,” Costello said. “If I get voted in I'll be ready to vote on any issue.”

Costello said she attended every commission meeting for about six years and served as commissioner for six years. “I have the experience,” she said.

One issue the commission is discussing is construction of a municipal sewer system in Archer. Costello said she knows the history of this particular issue and can contribute to decision making on it.

She is also concerned about road improvements. “I've been trying to get the city to plan street maintenance and put it in writing so we can start doing some infrastructure planning,” she said.

Costello owns her own real estate business, Costello Realty. She is married and has a son in the navy.

“I'm a business woman,” Costello said. “You put things in writing. You have a plan and you have goal. Without that you'll never succeed.”

Hope was not available for comment as of press time.

Voting will take place at the Santa Fe Davis Center on Highway 24. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. City Manager John Glanzer said he expects a 25 to 30 percent turnout at the polls, which is about 150 to 200 people.