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Hartzell's write-in votes fall short; Hanson wins By PETER WONG ASHLAND -- Cate Hartzell's write-in bid fell short and Cameron Hanson is the winner of Position 4 on the City Council, which has been vacant since the death of Ken Hagen Sept. 21. A tally completed Tuesday gave Hartzell 2,349 write-in votes, 235 short of Hanson's 2,584 votes as the only candidate listed on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. "It's really kind of anti-climactic," said Hanson, an agent with Rogue Valley Insurance Agency in Medford. "I was not going to take any bets on the outcome, because I thought Cate had a reasonable chance of coming out ahead. "Even though I prevailed, it wasn't a landslide by any means. Given that she was a write-in candidate and unknown, it was close.'' Hartzell, a public member of the city's Budget Committee and a civic activist, began her write-in bid a month before the election and a couple of weeks after Hagen's death. She could not be reached for comment. Victories by write-in candidates are rare in larger cities, especially if there is someone already listed on the ballot. Perhaps the most notable was Ben Fagone's write-in victory for mayor of Medford in 1974. The city charter requires the council to fill Hagen's vacant seat 60 days after his death, so Hanson is likely to be seated by appointment next week before his elected term starts. Even though they do not make up a majority, newcomers Hanson and lawyer David Fine may signal a change in how the council approaches issues. "We are going to change the dynamics of the council," Hanson said. "Some kind of change in the way things are done is inevitable, though I am not sure I as an individual can make any great change. What I want to do is offer balance and a set of ears that listens to people." Fine was elected over neuromuscular therapist Bob Taber, 2,923 to 2,584, to Position 6 being vacated by businessman Alan DeBoer. "Ashland is probably the only town in America where I would be considered by anybody to be a conservative," Fine said. "But most issues that come to the council are not decided along liberal or conservative lines. I think I have a different set of skills that will complement those on the council." Fine said change probably will be gradual. "I believe Ashland is an efficiently and professionally run city in most respects," he said. "But I will have an opportunity to contribute to change over my term." Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford, Oregon USA