Newly-elected Los Alamos County Council Chair Theresa Cull. Photo Courtesy LAC

Newly-elected Los Alamos County Council Vice Chair Suzie Havemann. Photo Courtesy LAC

BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com

Councilor Melanie Hand nominated Cull who accepted the nomination. There were no other nominations and after Cull quipped, “Well, this should be an easy vote,” she was unanimously elected chair.

The election of Vice Chair took a little longer. Councilor Ryn Herrmann nominated Councilor Suzie Havemann, who accepted the nomination. Councilor Randall Ryti nominated Councilor David Reagor who also accepted. Councilor Cull nominated Councilor Melanee Hand who accepted.

In the first vote, Havemann received three votes (Herrmann, Havemann, and Councilor Beverly Neal-Clinton), Reagor received two votes (Ryti and Reagor), and Hand also received two votes (Cull and Hand).

Chair Cull noted that the first vote failed because at least four votes were needed to move forward with a vice chair. She said Council could simply vote again and asked if any of the candidates wished to withdraw. Not seeing any withdrawals, she asked for another roll call. This time, Councilor Ryti changed his vote to support Councilor Hand, Councilor Reagor continued to vote for himself. This meant that Councilor Havemann received the required four votes with Councilor Reagor at one vote and Councilor Hand at two votes.

“This means that Councilor Havemann has been elected vice chair for 2025. Thank you to the individuals that were willing to serve as vice chair,” Chair Cull said.

Cull and Havemann were elected to Council in the November 2022 general election.