By SHELLEY TERRY - Staff Writer - sterry@starbeacon.com
ASHTABULA — Tired politicians dutifully drudged to their jobs Wednesday after a late night of either celebrating or despising the election results.
Independent Ann Stranman was elected Ward 3 councilwoman, beating embattled Democrat Ericka Severino.
Stranman’s triumph over the incumbent wasn’t a landslide. She won by 61 votes, according to unofficial Ashtabula County Board of Elections results.
“It’s a relief,” Stranman said Wednesday from her day job in Jefferson.
Stranman and her husband celebrated her victory Tuesday night at the Elks Club on Lake Road in Ashtabula.
“When the preliminary results were announced, everyone started clapping,” she said. “A lot of people were rooting for me. It was exciting.”
Although she felt tired Wednesday, Stranman was still running on adrenaline.
Severino said she wishes Stranman the best.
“I hope she follows through on her convictions,” she said.
Severino, who was appointed two years ago by the Democratic Committee, made headlines during her tenure for going head to head with the current city administration.
Stranman, as well as other newly elected city officials, will take office Dec. 1. Stranman, a wife and mother of two children, regularly attends council meetings and promised to work with city leaders, not against them. She now looks forward to helping City Auditor Michael Zullo and her fellow council members with next year’s budget, she said.
Democrat Chuck Brockway won the council-at-large seat, besting his opponent, independent James M. Timonere, by 130 votes, according to unofficial Board of Elections results. Brockway will become the new council president because Rodger Altier did not seek to retain his seat.
Brockway did not attend parties Tuesday night, he said.
“I’m not a party guy,” he said.
Timonere, who is the Ashtabula Area-City Chamber of Commerce president, will continue to be active on city boards and committees. The results of the election did not squash his interest in politics, he said.
“I’m disappointed, but this is still the city my wife, my children and I are invested in,” Timonere said. “We believe in the city and want the best in it. … I have not given up on the city. I wish Mr. Brockway much luck.”
In Ward 4, Republican Julie Lattimer, the incumbent, eked out a win against Democrat James Giannell. She hopes to see the annexation of Wade Avenue come to fruition, she said.
Incumbent Republican candidate James Trisket fought a close race against Democrat Ellis Bradley in Ward 5.
“I’m pleased to see the majority of voters supported me,” Trisket said. “It will give me an opportunity to bring forth some of the ideas I’ve been working on.”
Trisket also said he really would like to see the annexation of Wade Avenue.
