Votes are in for honorary mayor

Doris Hoagland

KEY TO COTTONWOOD: Tom Burnham (left), Cottonwood’s honorary mayor, accepts an honorary key from Gayle Harrington, center, and her husband, Tom.

The winner of the annual ‘race’ for Cottonwood’s honorary mayor was announced last Saturday at a soup kitchen dinner at Cottonwood Community Center. Tom Burnham, co-owner of Burnsini Vineyards & Winery, won the title, thanks to the $12,868 he and his wife, Joy, raised during his campaign. The funds will be donated to the Cottonwood Community Library.

“He worked so hard. We couldn’t be more grateful. This (amount) is way above and beyond our wildest expectations,” said Gayle Harrington, library director.

“This is the highest amount ever raised (during a campaign). It will go to keep the library doors open,” said Harrington.

The annual honorary mayor’s race is held to raise funds for Cottonwood organizations. Different candidates compete by ‘buying’ votes for $1 apiece. The candidate with the most votes — or dollars raised — wins and the money is donated to the organization that asked them to run.

Other candidates for this year’s race were Doreen Bradshaw, raising funds for Cottonwood Park and Arnie Britton for Cottonwood Citizens Patrol.