Temko defeats Mullen in council race

University graduate student Ezra Temko, 22, became Newark's youngest councilman Tuesday, winning 68 percent of the vote in the District 5 councilman's race.

Temko defeated opponent Mike Mullen 481-231. The election had a 33 percent turnout - higher than most recent council elections.

Temko said he was excited and humbled by the support he received from voters.

"I know it's not just support for me as an individual, but an investment people were making in what they want to see in their future," he said.

Temko said it was a surreal feeling when he learned he had won the race. He said the fact that he is now a councilman was still sinking in.

"I'm looking forward to it," he said. "I'm sure it's not all going to be fun, but I think I like this stuff."

Mullen said he was surprised by Temko's victory because he had received great support from many Newark residents.

Temko is a great man and well deserving of the position, he said. He dismissed age as a factor in Temko's success formula.

"I think people are looking for change," Mullen said.

Temko said he represents change and that is why many voters picked him over Mullen, who was endorsed by retiring District 5 councilman, Frank Osborne.

"They were either voting for me or for a continuation of what they had," Temko said. "I don't think people wanted to continue with something they weren't satisfied with."

He said he had based his campaign on three issues - economic progress, environmental sustainability and responsive representation.

Some of the items on his agenda include working to implement curbside recycling in the city, reducing empty storefronts on Main Street by instituting a vacancy fee and partnering with the university to create a Council Fellows program that would allow students to intern with members of council.

He said university officials have been receptive to the idea of a Council Fellows program, and he hopes to have it in place for the 2008 Fall Semester.

Both candidates spent the day at the First Presbyterian Church on West Main Street, the district's only polling place, shaking hands and answering question from voters.

Temko had a table set up with refreshments for the voters. His family members and supporters manned a phone bank, calling residents to remind them to vote and offering rides to the polling place.

Mullen and his wife stood just feet away greeting voters.

The proposed housing development on the site of the Newark Country Club loomed large in many voters' minds Tuesday. With the country club located just across the parking lot from the polling place, many voters said they were looking for a candidate who could bring change to the council.

Newark resident Deborah Peterson said she was concerned about the traffic problems that will be caused by the new development. She said she voted for Temko because he will bring a new perspective to council.

"He's young and fresh and has new ideas," Peterson said. "He's a hard worker, and he dedicated himself to this campaign.

Newark resident Richard Martel said he was also concerned about the country club development plan, but voted for Mullen because he has the experience to deal with the issue.

"Because of his business experience, he will be more astute about what the council is doing," Martel said.

Newark resident Deanna Spear said she voted for Temko because of the effort he put into his campaign.

"He really put a lot of energy and time into it, so I think he will do that if he is elected," Spear said.

Newark resident Jon Dorzynski said the biggest issue on his mind was the environment. He said he voted for Temko, because, like Dorzynski, Temko is a member of the Sierra Club.

"I've seen a lot of the work he's done," Dorzynski said.

Both candidates had rallies for their supporters after the results were announced.

Approximately 15 Temko supporters, many of them family members, gathered at the house of Robert Temko, Ezra's father, for a victory party.

Robert said he was not surprised his son received more than twice as many votes as Mullen.

"He probably put in twice the effort," Robert said. "Plus he showed a real knowledge of the voters."

Pearl Benghiat, Ezra's grandmother, said she is proud of her grandson.

"He's very happy and I'm happy because he's happy," Benghiat said.

Ezra said his family has been with him every step of the campaign. Robert said that is how his family is.

"It's what we do," Robert said. "We help each other. That's what life is about."

At Mullen's house, about 20 people gathered over beer and chicken wings. A few offered congratulations and consolation to Mullen.

The gathering had a more somber mood. At one point, Mullen's cell phone rang and instead of answering with "hello," he immediately said "we lost."

Mullen said he does not regret the way he ran his campaign.

"It was a hard fought, positive campaign," he said.

Mullen's sister, Cathy Boyer, said she was disappointed by the election results.

"Newark is deprived of a good guy," Boyer said.

The third and sixth district seats were also up for election, but the incumbents Doug Tuttle and Stu Markham ran unopposed.