RONDA -- Maria Soots, a write-in candidate, received the most votes in a surprisingly tight Ronda commissioner race.

Rex Ashley won the other open board seat, edging current Mayor Howard Prevette by 11 votes, 76 to 65 in unofficial totals. Kevin Reece came in third with 59 votes.

In a battle of newcomers, Victor Varela handily defeated Derie Reece in the race for mayor, receiving 58 percent of the vote.

Varela said there will be a lot of "fence mending" to bring the community back together following a heated race. "Unfortunately it was kind of a contentious race," Varela said. "I am glad that it is over, and I am looking forward to the board that will come out of this. I am willing to work with whoever gets elected."

Part of the raucousness Varela likely referred to in the race includes complaints by the Reeces in the midst of the campaign about practices by current town officials of improper action in obtaining easements for sewer lines. Allegation led to a citation against the town clerk for a notary violation.

Varela said he intends to focus on housekeeping and says he looks to clean up how things are conducted in the town proceedings. Varela said he wants to make the Ronda board more accessible to the public. "I want to help make it an orderly venue so people can come and air their concerns at the right time," he said.

Varela also said he wants the board to follow through on the sewer system that has caused recent uproar.

"One of the big issues that the townspeople are looking into is road saftey," he said "So I am going to try to bring some of my experience into play and look into ways we can slow the traffic down without having to put a police officer there."

Soots said she was happy the race was over as well, but that she is excited to begin her position.

She said completion of the sewer line is first on her agenda. "First and foremost we have to get the sewer completed," she said. " There are so many things. I am really big on getting stuff going at the park for the children and we really do need to do some street cleaning."

Soots said she felt this election was the most talked about since she has been a resident.

"There has been lots of campaigning and your normally dont see that much in Ronda since its a small town," Soots said. "I think this is the biggest turnout we have ever had in the 16 years I have lived here. I think the people in Ronda care and are ready to be invovled."

Commissioner Elect Rex Ashley could not be reached for comment.