New mayor promises a voice for the people of New Castle

Three new city council members were also elected.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Wayne Alexander sees his election as mayor as a victory for the little guy.
"We gave the city back to the people tonight," he said. "They will have a big voice in this town now."
Alexander, a Republican, beat Democrat Richard DeBlasio by more than 700 votes.
"He ran a good campaign. I wish him the best," said DeBlasio, who ended up with 44 percent of the vote.
DeBlasio is ending his term as city council president but said he will work with Alexander in the next few months in preparing the city's budget.
The incumbent mayor, Timothy Fulkerson, did not seek re-election.
Alexander said his election is a call for change by the voters.
"I walked this city twice. Once in the spring and once in the fall. People want change. People want leadership. I promise that to people. I have no agendas. I just want to give the city back to the voters," he said.
Alexander has said he will clean house -- promising to hire a new business administrator and create a citizens committee that will recommend who will be police chief and other top city positions.
Council race
Voters also decided a change was needed on city council.
Patricia May, the only incumbent seeking re-election, came in fourth in the race for three vacant council seats.
Karen DeCarlo garnered the most votes with 29.18 percent, followed by Rob Ratkovich with 27.92 percent, and Will Quimby with 21.62 percent.
Only 44 votes separated Quimby and May. The two other council seats were left vacant by DeBlasio and Mark Elisco, who unsuccessfully ran for county commissioner in the spring.
cioffi@vindy.com