St. Clair Shores Votes: Walby Elected Mayor

A member of one of St. Clair Shores' oldest families will now be leading the city as voters overwhelmingly elected Kip Walby mayor.

Walby, whose family was one of the first homeowners in the Eagle Point subdivision 90 years ago and has served on city council for 12 years, received 59 percent of the votes in the election Tuesday.

Walby credited his election to "my time on council and the leadership I have provided in the last 12 years" along with the "sound financial shape" of the city.

Voters on Tuesday elevated the 46-year-old resident to become the next mayor of St. Clair Shores.

Walby defeated Nathan Kaczmarek to lead the city following the retirement of Mayor Robert Hison.

Stepping into the new position, he plans on meeting with department heads to talk about his goals along with handling everyday business.

"I am a no-nonsense person. I don't want any surprises," he said. "I want good, open communication between department heads and the mayor."

He also plans on meeting with the city's unions.

"I think we can have good working relationships. I think it is important," said Walby, who believes working together will make the city stronger.

Incumbent councilman Ronald Frederick retained his seat on council. 

He felt the vote was an "endorsement of six years of hard work," and he plans to continue on the path to make sure the city is not going to fall backwards.

As a council, he said the elected officials would be "fiscally responsible" and would "look forward to marketing the city outside its borders to attract young families and businesses."

Newcomers Anthony Tiseo and Chris Vitale also were elected to council.

"Thank you to the voters of St. Clair Shores and all my supporters who helped me in the election," said Vitale. "I am looking forward to representing them in the way they deserve to be represented."

Tiseo also looked forward to serving the residents and "making a difference."

"I think they voted for a family man who wants to raise his kids here, wants to keep St. Clair Shores prospering and doing well," he said.

Both mayor and council are four-year terms.

South Lake Schools

Charlotte Rebelein was elected to her first term on the South Lake Board of Education. Incumbent Ellen Dunn was also re-elected.

"I would like to try and see if we can get things working the legislature and move things forward," Rebelein said after votes were tallied.

Lake Shore Schools

Incumbents Mark Beghin and Shannon Harvey were re-elected to four-year terms.

Lakeview Public Schools

Incumbents Michael McCain and Phil Thomas were re-elected to six-year terms. Voters also wrote-in Michael Bayer, who is president of the Lakeview Band Parent Association. 

At city hall, he stated that he was happy to be elected to the position and credited his election to his involvement in the district.