By John Hilliard
GATEHOUSE NEWS SERVICE
While voters stuck with mostly incumbents for other contested aldermen positions, a 13-term veteran alderman lost his seat to a political newcomer in Tuesday's election.
Ward 5 Alderman George Mansfield, who has held his seat for more than 25 years, lost his post to local attorney Richard Blazar, who won his first elected municipal seat. Blazar won 1,506 votes, compared to Mansfield's 1,219.
"I walked every street, knocked on every door and met a lot of good people," said Blazar, who noted Mansfield knew the results first.
"He told me I won the race before I knew I won it," said Blazar.
One edge for Blazar was fundraising: He collected about $5,000 in campaign contributions, while long-time alderman Mansfield raised nothing. Mansfield couldn't be reached for comment last night.
Blazar said the city needs to evaluate its organizational structure and get a firm handle on its finances. He expects to draw upon Mansfield's experience, he said.
"I'll be calling him for information," said Blazar.
In the Ward 5 alderman at large race, incumbent Brian Yates and housing advocate Deborah Crossley won two open seats, beating Alderman William Brandel. Brandel gave up his ward alderman seat to run for the alderman at large position.
Yates collected 7,167 votes, and Crossley won 8,682 votes, while Brandel came in last with 6,844 votes. Brandel couldn't be reached for comment.
Crossley credited her success to her years working in city politics.
"I have contributed to the city for 24 years on citizen coalitions and boards. I think that has paid off," said Crossley, a former League of Women Voters president.
She said the city needs to work on its zoning rules, make better key long-term investments and repair Newton's infrastructure.
"We need to switch priorities to take care of what we have," said Crossley.
In the local Ward 5 race, voters elected John Rice to the ward alderman seat vacated by Brandel. Rice won 1,680 votes, over fellow challenger Anil Adyanthaya's 666 votes.
With two open Ward 7 alderman at large seats, Ruthanne Fuller and incumbent Sydra Schnipper won those positions, beating challenger Jeffrey Seideman, who collected 6,043 votes.
"I ran on my record and clearly people liked it, I'm grateful to the citizens of Newton," said Schnipper, who collected 8,226 votes.
Fuller, a former vice-chairwoman of the city's citizens advisory group, credited her experience working with the organization that evaluated Newton's finances last year.
Fuller also raised the most money of any alderman candidate about $30,000 and collected 10,965 votes. That's the third-highest number of votes cast for a single candidate during yesterday's election.
"I was excited to receive support from a lot of different" groups, she said.
She said the city needs to work on developing a more efficient government and better control its costs.
In other contested races, incumbents Carleton Merrill and Allan Ciccone kept their Ward 1 alderman at large seats, beating challenger Guive Mirfendereski. Merrill earned 9,219 votes, Ciccone collected 9,630 and Mirfendereski had 4,680 votes.
Staff writer Dan Atkinson contributed to this report. John Hilliard can be reached at jhilliar@cnc.com
