By Nancy Huddleston, Editor

Incumbents Gene Abbott and Jane Victorey were re-elected Tuesday (Nov. 3) to second terms on the Savage City Council.

The pair handily defeated newcomers Darin Coleman and Melissa Gorman, who finished a distant third and fourth, respectively.

Abbott was the top vote getter with 708 votes, or 35 percent of all ballots cast. Victorey picked up 579 votes, or 28 percent, Coleman got 374 or 18 percent and Gorman rounded things out with 344 votes, or 17 percent. There were 16 write-in votes.

Only 1,129 of the 15,662 registered voters – or 7 percent – came to the polls on Election Day; a sharp contrast to a year ago during presidential elections when 93 percent showed up. Typically, “off year” elections draw a smaller segment of voters.

Victorey was disappointed by the low voter turnout, saying she’d be happier if more residents would have gone to the polls. “I hope they are happy with the way things are going,” she said of one of the possible reasons for the low turnout. “This election was local, so I’d really like to see more people turn out.”

Abbott, too, said he would have liked to see more people come to the polls. “But I appreciate those who got out and took the time to vote,” he said.

In the precinct-by-precinct tally, Abbott pulled in the most votes in seven of the city’s eight precincts and took the second-highest amount of votes at Precinct 8 at the O’Connell Fire Station. Victorey took the most votes in Precinct 8, got the second-highest amount of votes in six other precincts and tied for third with Coleman at Precinct 2 at Glendale United Methodist Church.

Coleman and Gorman consistently picked up the number three and four spots, respectively, at most precincts; except at Precinct 1 (downtown), 6 (Bethesda Church) and 8 where Gorman pulled down the third-highest number of votes and at Precinct 2, where she got the second highest number of votes.

Abbott and Victorey both said they look forward to the challenges ahead in their second terms.

“There are so many things that I’d like to work on – the budget, economic development, the recovering housing market and transportation,” Victorey said.

Abbott said his first four years in office were “solid,” and he’s looking to building upon that in his next term.

“We’ve got a good financial foundation, we’ve held expenses down this year and have a flat levy for 2010,” he said, “I want to concentrate on keeping property taxes level and make sure we’re in line with other communities in this area.”

Both Abbott and Victorey praised their opponents for putting their hats in the ring and keeping the campaign positive.

“I was pleased to see Melissa and Darin step up,” said Victorey. “They have a lot to offer our residents and bring a lot to the table. I’d like to see them serve the city in some way or another.”

Abbott said Coleman and Gorman gave residents four good candidates to choose from and he’d also like to see them continue to serve the public on a city commission or advisory board.

 Nancy Huddleston can be reached at editor@savagepacer.com.