Two new members were sworn in at the Clarkston City Council on Nov. 14, while two familiar faces will no longer sit on the council.
Cory Johnston and James Brueck joined their first meeting after winning the Nov. 8 election, in which incumbent Dan Colombo also retained his seat earning the most votes at 140.
Longtime council members Walter Gamble and Dave Savage will no longer serve. Gamble received the fewest amount of votes (119) in the election and Savage opted not to run for reelection.
‘It was nothing about Walt, just about the quality of Johnston and Brueck who are long time Clarkston people,? said Colombo. ‘Walt Gamble is a man of integrity and I’ve enjoyed working with him on the same council. He’s done a lot of great things.?
‘Walt was wonderful and will be missed. That’s the sad thing about elections. It’s nice to have people running and sometimes you lose people who’ve been around for a long time and who have done a good job,? said Mayor Sharron Catallo.
‘He was always available for the community and did and good job watching the purse strings,? she added. ‘With the elections set up the way they are, there’s no chance to say good-bye and that’s unfortunate.?
‘Walt was an excellent representative of the people of North Main Street. He was levelheaded and always asked the right questions,? said council member Scott Meyland. ‘He always did what was in the best interest of the city.?
Several days after the election, Gamble remained positive about the council. While saying he had no plans to run again in the future, he hinted he may attend the meetings from time to time.
‘I’m happy with both those people who are well qualified and I know they will do their best,? said Gamble.
‘I’m happy I had the chance to serve 10 years. I was elected five times, what more could you ask for. I will miss (serving on the council) because they are such great people and I enjoyed being a part of running the city where you actually help out where you live,? said Gamble.
The board said good-bye to Savage at the last meeting in October.
‘People don’t realize all the work Dave did,? said Colombo, who stressed both men’s importance to the council. ‘I want to thank Dave for 10 years of service. He was innovative, bright and brought a lot to the job.?
‘They both were good examples of the type of variety of people that makes the council work together,? said Meyland.
The three elected council members expressed excitement about the future of the council and Clarkston.
‘This is a talented council. It’s going to be exciting,? said Colombo, who has served for eight years.
Johnston expressed excitement about learning the issues and getting to work.
‘I’m going to address the issues discussed in the campaign, what we can exactly do we’ll have to see, due to budget constraints,? said Johnston.
‘I was pleased with the results and hope I’ll be able to fill the role as well as Gamble and Savage,? said Brueck.
City Clerk Art Pappas said there were no glitches with the new voting machines and the election ran smoothly.
City Clerk Assistant Marcy Rotondo said there was a rush at the polls from about 7 to 7:30 a.m. and at noon and a steady flow after 4:30 p.m.