The race for the five-member board of the independent library district had been an unusual one, not only because it drew a large number of candidates - over the years library board elections have ranged from lackluster to non-existent when no candidates stopped forward - but also public criticism of library practices, policies and management. An individual opposing one candidate created a Facebook page that used a photograph of the 8th Street library building as its identification to urge that one candidate be defeated.
Spink said she is ready to work on behalf of the community, but was surprised by the support she received from voters. “I was overwhelmed by the support of the electorate. Beyond mere face recognition, I think those who voted for me - former students, parents, and community members - know me as a person of passion and commitment and trusted that I would help move the library forward.”
The Ventura County Elections Division still has an estimated 20,000 absentee and provisional ballots to count countywide, an unknown number representing Santa Paula ballots.
