FOLLANSBEE — A majority of voters in the city’s general election Tuesday expressed their support for the status quo, re-electing the mayor and incumbent council members and opposing the idea of an appointed police chief.
Mayor David Velegol Jr. emerged the winner of a mayoral race against 4th Ward Councilwoman Alexis Russell, receiving 321 votes while Russell received 156.
All votes are unofficial until ballots are canvassed at a special meeting to be announced.
Velegol said of the win, “I’m very pleased with the support. When you earn 67 percent of the vote, it’s a sign you are doing the right thing.”
Velegol said he looks forward to proceeding with more than $20 million in projects expected to begin this year. They include upgrades to the city’s water and wastewater treatment systems, renovations to the fire station and replacement of a stormwater line along Raymond Street.
After some debate, council had sought the public’s opinion on whether the city’s police chief should be elected or appointed.
A total of 323 voters said they want the position to remain an elected one, while 152 preferred it be an appointed one.
Larry Rea, the city’s current police chief, was unchallenged in the election but received 390 votes.
City officials have stated council wouldn’t be bound by the public’s vote on the issue, but changing the chief’s status would require two readings of a new ordinance and a public hearing.
Winners of other races were:
ö Incumbent Tammy Johnson, who won the 1st Ward council seat, with 33 votes, while challenger Paul Boniey, a former councilman, received 23.
ö Incumbent Charles McCoy, who won the 3rd Ward seat, with 44 votes, while challenger Steve Varlas received 24.
ö Frank Pedersen, one of two newcomers who sought the 4th Ward seat currently held by Russell, who received 67 votes while his opponent, Bill Chiodo, received 27.
ö Incumbent Wendy DeAngelis, who won the 5th Ward seat, with 108 votes, while challenger Joe Kafton received 75.
ö Incumbent John Casinelli, who was re-elected councilman at large, with 271 votes, while challenger Natalie Rocchio received 204 votes.
(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)
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