By Rikki Cason<br><a href="mailto:rikki.cason@journal-register.com">E-mail Rikki</a>
The Journal-Register
MEDINA — It was a good day for the Village Party, as their three candidates for Medina Village office, Mayor Adam Tabelski and trustees Andrew Meier and Sue Squires were elected.
Tabelski beat opponent Clayton Ehrenreich 509 to 295. Incumbent Meier received 555 votes and newcomer Squires received 556; both were unopposed.
“I was very pleased with the results,” Tabelski said. “I think the people want to vote for someone with a positive vision for the village, and I think the results speak for themselves.”
Also passing, with a vote of 471 to 238, was Proposition One. As of April 4, 2011, the Village of Medina court system will now be dissolved into the towns of Ridgeway and Shelby.
“A couple months ago we made the decision to put this on the ballot and let the people decide,” Tabelski said. “The people made a very clear choice with the mayoral race and the courts. We tried to present the facts the best we could. It was nothing personal towards anyone. The people sent a pretty strong message that they want a smaller, more efficient government. This is a step in the right direction.”
An average of $40,000 a year will now be saved from the dissolution.
In the mayoral race, it was a rematch with different numbers but the same result.
“It’s not a surprise,” Ehrenreich said. “It was the same as the last election, only there was not as big of a margin.”
He said he tried to present the truth and the facts, and appreciates all those who believed and trusted in him.
“At least by me running, the people had a choice,” said Ehrenreich. “They needed a choice.”
Ehrenreich has mixed feelings about losing, he said, being disappointed but realizing this may have been the best for him. He is also unsure about if he will run again for mayor in the future.
“One person can’t do anything,” he said of being outnumbered on the current board. “I foresee a point in the near future that there will be a large tax increase. There is always a day of reckoning.”
“We stuck to a positive message,” Meier said. “ I think the people soundly expressed what they prefer.”
Contact reporter Rikki Cason at 798-1400, ext. 8227.
