The Coconut Grove Village Council has been infused with new blood: Six newcomers will join three incumbents.

Voters in 12 precincts chose the nine Tuesday from a crowded field of 17 candidates. But it was a laid-back -- and civil -- election with most candidates not raising money to win a four-year term on the volunteer board.

Among the newcomers elected is the youngest: Stephen Murray, a 21-year-old University of Miami student. He won with 681 votes or 6.34 percent of the total vote.

Although new to the council, he's no stranger to politics. He isthe Democratic Party committeeman for Precinct 584. He also has been active with the council's FP&L Transmission Line Committee.

For his new term, he said he brings his passion for the community and his resolution to give every resident a voice in the council.

``It starts with saying `no' to bullying,'' Murray said. ``I don't keep my mouth shut when I see injustice.''

Patrick E. Sessions, incumbent David Collins and Kate Callahan received the top votes of 991, 828 and 798 respectively.

Sessions, 62, is a developer. He became a board member for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children after his daughter, Tiffany, disappeared from the University of Florida in 1989. He co-chairs the council's Bird Avenue Improvements Committee. During his campaign, he said he believes his expertise will help the council with the technical aspects of various plans. He also wants to increase security in the Grove.

Grove resident Sandy Douglas voted for him in Precinct 584, where he received 61 votes.

``I want them to make sure that every neighborhood gets spruced up,'' she added. ``Make everyone equal.''

Collins, who received the second highest number of votes, is executive director of the Coconut Grove Business Improvement District.

He has been in the Village Council for five years and wants to make sure the Village Council seeks expert advice when dealing with difficult subjects.

Callahan, a consultant who received the third highest number of votes, served on the Public Health Trust for six years.

Renita Ross Samuels-Dixon also earned a spot on the Village Council with 735 votes.

``She's really nice, down-to-earth and committed to what she believes in,'' voter Vincent Rumph said.

Heather Bettner, president and CEO of Prince Media Development, was also voted onto the council. A third generation Grove resident, she's guided by the example of her mother and grandmother who were Grove activists. She received 696 votes.

David Eric Wells was the remining newcomer elected to the council. He's a corporate securities lawyer and has lived in the Grove since 2001. He wants to preserve the historical and cultural spirit of the Grove.

``Coconut Grove needs to put together a strategic plan to preserve what it's got,'' he said.

Incumbents Michelle Niemeyer and Felice Dubin were reelected with 782 and 644 votes respectively.

Niemeyer, an attorney, wants to see the Waterfront Master Plan implemented.

``My goal has always been that the people are able to have a voice and be heard in the decisions that affect them,'' Niemeyer added.

Dubin has lived in the Grove for 16 years and like Niemeyer, she's served on the village council for four years.

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