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GLEN ELLYN – Two incumbent Glen Ellyn Park District commissioners will return for another four years, this time alongside their slate member, according to preliminary numbers from the DuPage County Election Commission.
Kathy Cornell and Gary Mayo will both be back for a second term after the April 7 election, while Chris Wilson will fill the seat left by Richard Dunn, who is moving out of Glen Ellyn.
Cornell led the candidates with 24.5 percent of the votes. Mayo and Wilson squeaked into second and third place with 19.8 and 19.2 percent each. Alfred D'Ambrosio came in only 66 votes behind Mayo and 53 behind Wilson and Walt Zlotow came in fifth, getting 15.9 percent of the vote.
The victorious slate ran on a platform stressing "experience and vision."
"We went into this evening really not knowing what to expect," Cornell said. "Four years ago, we felt very strongly that the park district board needed to take a new direction ... and we had some very specific things that we wanted to do and we did those things."
Cornell said the board would have to continue to maintain the quality of its existing parks and trails and offer opportunities to all members of the Glen Ellyn community, not just those with children.
"In most communities, but especially in Glen Ellyn, the parks are incredibly important to the quality of life in the community," she said. "We don't always see eye to eye, we don't always agree on everything ... but we all know that we need good parks to attract new people and keep people here and be a welcoming place."
Mayo did not respond to a request for comment. Wilson said in an email on election night she was honored to be elected and looked forward to serving as a commissioner.
D'Ambrosio thanked those who helped and inspired him on the campaign trail and said the residents of Glen Ellyn had a "great group of candidates to choose from."
He promised to remain a voice for the silent majority.
Zlotow said he was disappointed with the outcome but expressed similar positive feelings for the district.
"I knew this was an uphill battle for a variety of reasons, and I wish the three members who won the best," he said. "I think we have a terrific park district now and think they will continue to do that. It's in good hands."