The numbers are still preliminary, but so far Willows Police Chief Bill Spears has 24 percent of the votes and is more than 400 votes ahead of the fourth place candidate in the race for the Willows City Council.
That place candidate is Gary Hansen, who was one of the council members who voted to fire him as police chief.
If everything holds as is, newcomers Larry Domenighini and Lawrence Mello will be joining Spears on the council with Hansen and fellow incumbent Vince Holvik on the outside looking in.
Bill spears says he is humbled by the fact that voters turned out to support him at the ballot box Tuesday after they had already taken the time to voice their concern when the city council voted to fire him two separate times.
"I think the people of willows have spoken as to what they want and I will do everything that I possibly can not to violate," Spears said.
The apparent victory in the race for the willows city council comes after months of tension between Spears, the council and City Manager Steve Holsinger.
Spears has been working as the chief of police knowing he would not be returning to work in 2013 since the council voted against renewing his contract in September.
Despite the tension, Spears says he is willing to put aside the bad feelings if the city manager is willing to work with his vision for a more citizen friendly approach to management.
"If the city can change the way they do business with various individuals and other institutions within the City of Willows, then there is no need to change personnel," Spears said.
After seeing the police department cut over the past couple of years, spears says he is hopeful that the new look council can restore some of the funding for public safety.
"It's not just a matter of the folks on council changing, but there have been other issues like Prop 30 passing that is going to give additional funding to local law enforcement," Spears said.
Spears isn't alone when it comes to trading in his gun for a gavel.
It appears former Tehama County Sheriff Clay Parker will be taking a seat on the Red Bluff City Council and former Corning Police Chief Tony Cardenas is leading in the race for city council there as well.
