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News
Newcomer joins council
4/10/2009 10:44:00 AM
By Brian Hudson
-Wheaton Leader
Wheaton, IL - Newcomer Todd Scalzo joined three incumbents Tuesday night in winning seats on the Wheaton City Council.
Scalzo won more than 50 percent of the vote to represent the West District, edging out Jim McMahon and Mark Kmiecik. They were all in a race to replace Dave Johnson, the longest serving member on the council.
Scalzo's victory comes two years after falling short of a bid for one of two at-large seats on the City Council. Although losing citywide to council members Liz Corry and John Prendiville in 2007, Scalzo had a strong showing among voters in the West District. On Tuesday, he again was popular with West District voters.
"I think they were particularly supportive of a candidate with some new energy and a fresh approach," Scalzo said.
He said his first priority entering office will be the city's finances. Wheaton has been dealing with a tight budget for months.
"The biggest issue is, of course, watching our budget, keeping taxes down and watching our spending," he said.
Scalzo proposes looking for outside funding for some projects, such as dealing with flooding in his West District.
"I think we have to pursue state and federal funding - block and (Federal Emergency Management Agency) grants."
In the East District, Tom Mouhelis defended his seat on the City Council, narrowly beating challenger Jeanne Ives.
Mouhelis had 770 votes to Ives' 724, a difference of 3 percent.
"This was one of the most stressful weeks of my life," he said. "I figured I'd win. I knew it was going to be a close race."
Mouhelis said next term he wants to focus on redevelopment throughout Wheaton and specifically at the soon-to-be-emptied Hubble Middle School property. He also plans to oppose efforts to increase the utility property tax.
In the North District, incumbent Phil Suess held off a challenge from Tom Johnson by almost 350 votes.
Councilman Howard Levine, who was running unopposed in Wheaton's South District, also will return next term.
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