New Mayor to Lead Prescott City Council

by Ray Newton
Greg Mengarelli, in his first run for a City of Prescott office, was selected mayor during the Nov. 7 election. He received the most votes in the general election, with 9,298 votes. His opponent, Jean Wilcox, who had been a city council member, received 7,606 votes. Mengarelli was elected to a two-year term.
Of the five candidates for three city council seats, 20-year-old Alexa Scholl received the most votes — 8.690. Phil Goode had the second highest count — 8,623. Both Scholl and Goode are newcomers to the council. The third person elected was incumbent Steve Blair, who received 7,954 votes. The council members will serve four-year terms. Scholl is believed to be the youngest person ever elected to the city council.
The two losing candidates were Connie Cantelme, with 7,417 votes and Joe Vicinal, with 7,113.
After election results were announced, Mangarelli commented that he looked forward to working with new and existing council members and with city staff. The City of Prescott operates under a council-manager form of government.
Mengarelli said he was eager to continue two priority projects that outgoing Mayor Harry Oberg had initiated — increased economic development and expansion and improvement of the Prescott Municipal Airport.
“I see nothing but a bright future for Prescott and the greater community. Our entire region is going to prosper as we move ahead with carefully planned and sustainable opportunities for new business and more jobs, especially for our younger population,” he said.
Mengarelli and the new council members were sworn in during ceremonies at City Hall on Nov. 28.