Eli Beckman appears to be headed for reelection to the Corte Madera Town Council in the race to fill three council seats Tuesday night. Beckman held 32% of the vote, while newcomer Ava Fruin held second place with 23%, followed closely by David C. Bell with 21.5%.
That would provide the town with one returning council member and two new voices. The three will fill seats vacated by expiring terms, including that of Mayor Rosa Thomas, who did not seek reelection. Other candidates were incumbent Pat Ravasio and financial manager Deborah Gallegos.
The election comes as Corte Madera faces ongoing challenges related to flooding, particularly in neighborhoods built on subsiding land. King tides caused flooding in several areas in January and June.
Beckman, an architect who has served on the council for more than eight years, including two terms as mayor, ran on his record of infrastructure improvements as Corte Madera confronts climate-related threats and the need for additional flood protection.
Fruin, a Larkspur-Corte Madera School District trustee, brings local elected experience and more than 15 years of professional experience in education, technology and nonprofit organizations. She has emphasized strategic planning, budget oversight and community collaboration.
With 10 years on the Corte Madera Flood Control Board, Bell campaigned on his expertise in flood control and lessons learned from January’s king tide flooding.
Bell, 64, is a retired civil and environmental engineer who has never run for office. He holds a doctorate degree from UCLA in mechanical engineering, with a special focus on stakeholder involvement in the risk management of environmental restoration programs.
