In yesterday’s municipal elections, Wilmington’s three incumbent city council candidates kept their seats, beating out three challengers. Kevin O’Grady, Charlie Rivenbark and Earl Sheridan will all begin new four-year terms. Mayor Bill Saffo, who ran unopposed, will also continue to serve the city for another two-year term.
With voter turnout from yesterday’s municipal election at less than 13% of registered voters, Mayor Bill Saffo enjoyed a predictable win in his uncontested bid for mayor of the City of Wilmington. Incumbent Charlie Rivenbark garnered the second-highest number of votes for a seat on Council, but the margins were very, very slim.
Rivenbark pulled in just behind fellow Incumbent Kevin O’Grady with 21.85% to O’Grady’s 22.71%. That’s a difference of less than one point. But after a recent medical emergency that interrupted his campaign and required a hospital stay, Rivenbark says he’s excited to get back to the business of the city.
“We’re going to move forward and tackle this crime hard and keep our City on the straight and narrow… I think it’s just a kind of a report card that people in this City think this council has performed and they want us to be here for two more years at least.”
Mayor Bill Saffo says he’s honored to once again serve the city in which he was born and raised. And he agrees that re-electing three incumbents is an affirmation from constituents.
“This group of elected officials has worked very hard through some tough economic times, have done some great things, and I’m looking forward to working with the same group again.”
City Council terms are staggered four-year terms. Mayor Saffo’s term will be up in 2015.
