Normal Town Council incumbents Kathleen Lorenz and Karyn Smith, along with newcomer Andy Byars, have defeated the opposition ticket of incumbent Stan Nord, Marc Tiritilli and Karl Sila.
Data from the McLean County Clerk show voter turnout at 27% Tuesday for the town and rural McLean County, far above the 12% four years ago in the last non-mayoral council cycle.
With all precincts reporting, the breakdown was:
- Kathleen Lorenz 5,911 votes, 21.90%
- Karyn Smith 5,085 votes, 18.84%
- Andy Byars 4,990 votes, 18.49%
- Stan Nord 3,926 votes, 14.54%
- Marc Tiritilli 4,032 votes, 14.94%
- Karl Sila 2,992 votes, 11.08%
A mix of moderate Republicans, Democrats, and non-aligned supporters celebrated Tuesday night at the Stave wine bar in Uptown.
For Lorenz and Byars, the crucial inflection point in the contest was the sense that their group of candidates had a message of optimism and the need to manage growth in the community — rather than pessimism and a desire to curtail town government.
“My message and that of Andy Byars and Karyn Smith was very positive,” said Lorenz. “No, we're not perfect. But we have a can-do spirit of where we need to improve, let's improve. And let's not tear us down in the process. The negativity and the conspiratorial thinking is not good, economically speaking and it's not good, morale-wise.”
In a Facebook post, defeated candidate Mark Tiritilli thanked supporters and said he was honored to have provided a choice for voters.
“We are privileged to live within a system where everyone has a chance to be heard and the transfer of authority takes place smoothly. I hope you will join me in congratulating the winners of this election. Let us all work together to make Normal's future the best it can be,” said Tiritilli.
In another post hours before the polls closed, he took issue with what he said were negative characterizations of him.
“I am a conservative, but not a bitter one. If you look through the last 6 years of my campaigns, you will see that I have never issued insults or personal attacks. Despite being accused, insulted, and ridiculed by the media, by other candidates, and by some of their supporters, I have not responded in kind. These are our neighbors, co-workers, and fellow citizens. It does not serve us to dehumanize people we disagree with. I may criticize policies and actions, but I never demean or devalue anyone,” said Tiritilli.
Lorenz, Byars, and defeated candidate Karl Sila all noted the Unit 5 tax referendum had a marked impact on the dynamic of the council races, and was a predominant issue for voters during door-to-door campaigning.
“I think a lot of people associated our (Sila, Nord, and Tiritilli) fiscal responsibility with the Unit 5 (question). That won with 60%. So, the town people who are going to spend a lot of money tying in with the school people who are trying to make it out like their kids are ‘gonna die if you don't pass this tax referendum,” said Sila, who placed sixth in the race.
Sila said his ticket also was out-campaigned and outspent. Sila said he raised and spent less than the $5,000 reporting requirement. Lorenz said she probably spent double what she spent four years ago, but did not have a number. Byars, who finished in third place for the final seat, said he raised about $30,000.
“I can’t say for sure, but it sounds like he, who got third place, outspent fourth, fifth and sixth combined,” said Sila.
Sila said it’s unclear whether he would run again in two or four years, or whether the others in his group would renew their efforts to gain seats on the council, but will still speak up at council meetings and in other public ways.
“A town council that doesn’t listen to the people needs to be changed, whether that means me or somebody else,” said Sila.
Lorenz, the top vote-getter, said she hopes some of the issues in the last several election cycles will die down.
“Some of my opponents really seem to be dredging up topics that were, four, or five, maybe even 10 years old. One thing that will happen in this next cycle is the construction and completion of the underpass. I think some of the opportunity that we will have with developing south of the tracks, much as the development of uptown and the circle put to rest some naysayers from 20 years ago,” said Lorenz. “I hope that when we start to see it in reality, people will realize, okay, it was a good idea.”
Byars said even though his message gained a plurality, it doesn't mean supporters of the other ticket should be ignored. He said the winners should be "humble."
“We're here to represent all of Normal, not just those who voted for us. I think it's important that we extend olive branches to those who may disagree with us, or we may have different differences of opinion on if that's how we unite our community in the long run,” said Byars. “I know, it's easy to say you're going to listen. It means a lot more to actually do it. We want to let the best ideas (to) rise to the top.”
Byars said he supplants council member Scott Preston as the youngest person elected to the council, by about two months.
“Not that that matters, or we're putting it on the fridge. But I think what it says is that people are open to new voices and new blood and the younger generation, bringing that perspective to City Hall. So I'm really grateful to voters for putting that faith in me,” said Byars.
