This year’s election has changed the face of the Cedar Springs Council.

Newcomers Bob Truesdale and Patricia Troost won the two open seats, beating out incumbent Christine Fahl, in a close race. Truesdale led in voting with 540, Troost received 501, and Fahl was right behind her with 493 votes. Almost 54 percent of registered voters turned out to vote.

The other open seat belonged to longtime veteran Councilor Pat Capek, who retired last month after 16 years. Fahl served four years.

The new Council members will be sworn in at a special meeting on Monday, November 19 at 7 p.m.

Also leaving the Council will be two-year veteran Neil Gomez. Gomez and his wife will be moving into a home in Algoma Township, but still in the Cedar Springs Public School District. His last meeting will be this month. The mayor will need to appoint someone to fill his remaining two years.

Gomez, who is a Grand Rapids policeman, said that the house he and his family are living in was a starter home. With his family growing, they need more room. “We got a very good deal, and it’s twice the size of what we have now, for about the same payment,” he said.

Gomez said it was a hard decision. They thought about waiting two years until his term ended, but decided that the opportunity may not be there in two years. “I’m married to my wife—not the city,” he explained.

He said they didn’t make the decision because of the conflict faced by the Council over the Red Flannel issue. “But now, especially with all the negativity (directed at the Council), I know we made a good decision,” he said.

He also noted that he is not keeping his check from the City. Instead he will donate it for maintenance of Veteran’s Park and restoration of the city’s antique fire truck. The check will be between $300-$400.