What it all means – Assessing the results of last week’s election

The voters have spoken. It turned out not to be a great year of change – but there were changes nevertheless. Those changes will affect how this city is governed and will also impact the future and exactly how it plays out during the next two years at city hall.

In the at-large councillor race, George Rotondo rose and John Correggio fell.

The whistle blower unafraid to criticize colleagues and department heads is on the rise.

Correggio’s historic propensity for campaigning all day everyday failed him in the end.

The remainder of the at-large councilors remained, with Dan Rizzo topping the ticket and showing citywide strength, Robert Haas coming in second and also showing great strength with George Colella solidly in the middle of the pack and with Tony Zambuto rounding out the ticket with a victory he believed in throughout the campaign.

We congratulate the winners – and the losers.

Councilor elect Stephen Reardon won a solid victory in a three man race in Ward 4. An attorney and a very nice guy, he should add a bit of professionalism to the new council in January. We know he will be his own man – and an honest one at that.

Ira Novoselsky showed that he is not ready to give up his seat in Ward 2 with a solid victory over a much younger man who made a great effort.

Novoselsky proved that his voice in his ward is the voice the people trust.

The School Committee vote produced its share of surprises.

Longtime school committeewoman Carol Tye received more votes than anyone running for public office in Revere – more than 4000 voters cast a ballot for her.

The implication of such a vote is that Tye is extremely popular, with many friends and supporters throughout the city, who might just be a mayoral candidate when push comes to shove.

Stacey Rizzo’s first time out victory and Ann Raponi’s loss of her seat show that change had an effect on the voters regarding the school committee.

The election results reveal a city mainly at ease with itself politically.

There were no earthquakes and no tremors after the election.

In many respects, it was just another election.

Also proved for those who tried to gain an at-large seat is that incumbents are difficult to unseat. Newcomers don’t generally place their names on the ballot and win the first time out. Those aiming for another stint, who’ve been out for a while, well, even for them getting back on the council is a near to impossible task.

We congratulate the winners – and we offer the losers the consolation of knowing that they had the guts and the fortitude it takes to place one’s name on the ballot.

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