BY PHIL CUSTODIO
Clarkston News Editor
Sharron Catallo and Michael Sabol drew lots to determine who would continue to serve on Clarkston City Council.
Catallo let Sabol go first.
“He pulled the wrong one out,” she said at Monday’s city council meeting, recounting the drawing from earlier in the day.
Catallo pulled the “elected” ticket and won the seat.
“It was a strange one – really interesting to see,” Sabol said. “When you learn something new in a day, it’s a great day.”
The two incumbents tied in last week’s vote, each receiving 259 votes, 21.66 percent of the total.
Challengers Rick Detkowski, Jr., received 344 votes, 28.76 precent of the total, and Sue Wylie received 329 votes, 27.51 percent.
Steve Percival ran unopposed for mayor and was elected with 319 votes, 94.38 percent of the total.
“I am very happy to be elected to the Clarkston City Council,” Wylie said. “I think Clarkston residents are excited about, and voted with, the ‘Have a Nice City’ campaign that Rick Detkowski, Jr. and I conducted.”
“I think this vote shows that people are paying attention to the issues and want to see things move in a new, healthy direction,” Detkowski said. “It’s great that so many voters turned out and so many voters turned out and seemed to already have their minds made up. To me, this means our message was well-received and aligns with how most residents are feeling.”
Wylie said she will honor the city’s heritage and historic charm.
“As I talked to people in their homes, they expressed a desire for a positive culture in the city, they wanted parking issues addressed, plus clear and open communications between the city and residents,” she said. “To all the voters, thank you for the opportunity to be of service to our beautiful city. I will continue to listen to everyone, because I think it is important to hear all sides of a situation and to discuss different aspects before making a final decision.”
Other residents are encouraged to get involved by serving on a committee, board, or commission, or by attending and commenting at city council meetings, she said.
“A lot of experience and knowledge exists within our city that can help us be an even more beautiful and nicer city,” Wylie said.
Detkowski said it’s humbling to have people tell you how much they appreciate the candidates’ efforts and positivity.
“To those who voted for us, thank you very much for the support and encouragement along the way,” he said. “Now the hard work begins with delivering on our message and getting things done. As for those who didn’t vote for us, I hope they’ll eventually see we’re trying our very best to serve the community. I would encourage them, and anyone else, to get involved in committees and projects so we can hear their ideas and solutions. Hopefully the few voices that seem to feed the polarity issue didn’t sway their opinions.”
State law regulates what happens in a tie vote, said outgoing Mayor Joe Luginski at Monday’s meeting.
“There was a recount – the process is a recount,” Luginski said.
The recount at the county clerk’s office verified the tie, which was broken with the drawing, he said.
“Two pieces of paper in a box,” Luginski said.
Sabol said he will remain involved.
“I’m not going to disappear,” he said. “I want to thank everybody for your support through the years.”
Voter turn-out in the City of the Village of Clarkston was 70.31 percent for the 2016 election, 599 out of 852 registered voters, including 172 absentee voters. In 2012, 600 out of 861 voted, 69.69 percent.