By Carolyn Dryer | The Peoria Times
When the votes were counted on the second ballot Monday night, Ben Toma was the successful applicant to fill the Mesquite District council seat vacancy. Toma received five votes to Bridget Binsbacher one vote.
The top two vote-getters, Toma and Binsbacher, were moved to the second round of voting when the first ballot showed Toma with just three votes, Binsbacher two, and Kenneth Krieger one. The fourth applicant, Kenneth DeCoster did not receive a vote.
Voting in the first round had Councilmembers Tony Rivero, Carlo Leone and Jon Edwards casting their votes for Toma; Vice Mayor Ron Aames voted for Krieger; Councilmember Bill Patena and Mayor Bob Barrett voted for Binsbacher.
In the second round, Barrett was the single vote cast for Binsbacher, while the remainder of council voted for Toma.