P.V. Estates : Ritscher Elected Mayor

Edward Ritscher, a 10-year member of the City Council, has been elected mayor by his council colleagues, succeeding Ruth Gralow. Councilwoman Barbara Culver was elected mayor pro tem.

Ritscher, 57, an aerospace project manager, said his goal is to persuade voters to approve a comprehensive tax measure a year from now. The city now pays for police and paramedic services and street and parkland maintenance through two special taxes that are voted on every two years and raise about $1.3 million a year.

Ritscher said he wants a “single financial proposal” to replace the two special taxes. But recognizing that two similar attempts have failed at the polls, he said uses of the money must be “specifically written in” to gain voter support.