Tierney wins Ward 2 City Council seat

Election turnout high despite poor weather

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Click here to enlarge this photo Christopher Anderson⁄The Gazette Councilwoman Ruth Ann Frazier (left) Tuesday congratulates William F. Tierney II after election officials named him the winner of Hyattsville’s Ward 2 special election. Unofficial results showed Tierney with 191 votes and runner-up James Groves with 167.

Unofficial election results show 410 votes were cast. Tierney took 191, while James Groves got 167; Vincent Swanson received 28 and Nkosi Yearwood, 22. There were 2 votes for candidates written in.

Tierney, who recently retired from the Human Resources department of the United States House of Representatives, won the election by only 24 votes.

Voter turnout only emphasized that Ward 2 residents are looking for more input on the council, Tierney said.

‘‘None of us really ran on specific issues,” he said. ‘‘It’s more about who’s best qualified to handle them.”

Tierney comes to the council with plenty of people experience and budget planning expertise. He’s volunteered extensively within Hyattsville and has the backing of his council mate Mark Matulef.

‘‘I unequivocally support Bill Tierney,” Matulef said, adding that his goals and experience make him someone who will compliment the now 10-member council.

Residents like Barbara J. Runion are pleased with what Tierney will offer the city.

‘‘My jaw dropped when I heard him addressing issues such as street lighting, a street and sidewalk re-paving plan, code enforcement, city budget, crime prevention, city government responsiveness, citizen involvement and much more,” she said.

As part of his campaign, Tierney said he knocked on all accessible doors in his ward and spoke with several hundred residents.

He’s positive about citizen involvement, but said he will focus on what’s absolutely utmost for the city and weed out what’s not being utilized.

Part of this endeavor is working with other municipalities to merge efforts and save money, Tierney said.

Although all candidates discussed roadwork, Tierney stood apart as the lone candidate who voiced a specific concern about city pork barrel projects.

He also has plans to focus on the arts and how they involve all wards and not just those in the recently dubbed Arts District.

The city should also provide more public space for performances and exhibitions and work with the community to encourage arts education, he said.

Hyattsville Mayor William Gardiner was pleased by the fluid election.

‘‘Ward 2 is fortunate to have such qualified candidates,” he said, adding that all ran strong campaigns based on their qualifications.

The Special Election was held to fill the office vacated on July 1, when City Council President Scott Wythe resigned. The term of office is until the May Biennial City Election.

Results will be presented to the City Council at its Aug. 7 meeting for approval when Tierney is scheduled to take the oath of office.

E-mail Sarah Nemeth at snemeth@gazette.net.