The results are in for local elections, and the people have chosen to keep incumbents in office.
At the city, Dwayne Ariola wins his election with 63.50% of the vote, which means there is no need for a run-off.
Ariola defeated opponents Janetta McCoy, 30.81%, Rick Von Pfeil, 5.07% and Sandra Wolfe 0.63%.
“I’m very proud of my team and how we strategically attacked the city of Taylor,” Ariola said. “It was very well thought out. We had a plan, and we stuck to it. They all love Taylor, and I’m very proud of Taylor to make a statement.”
He hopes the win will make an even bigger statement for the future of the council.
“We’re not in concurrence with the direction it’s going 100%,” he said. “I think tonight’s results in a city-wide election ...holds a lot of power.”
This year’s election was riddled with personal attacks, which Ariola said is not how he typically runs his campaign.
Jim Buzan – Jim Buzan will return to the Taylor ISD board of trustees after being re-elected Saturday, May 6.
“That’s not my (way of operating), I speak for all of Taylor,” he said. “The buck stops with me, and I concurred to those tactics ... it was one punch thrown and then we went right back to what are the facts.”
While he said the method could have been more tactful, he believes the facts were the main focus that reached the voters.
“We ran a really good race, and the people of Taylor, tonight and this last three weeks, have said, ‘stop Austining my Taylor,’” Ariola said.
This will be Ariola’s third term, and he said he plans to continue speaking for all of Taylor and asking the hard questions.
“I’m not going to disregard 35 or 40% of the people that voted against me,” he said. “I’m going to listen to what they have to say, and they can take that to heart.”
Ariola received concession from opponents Janetta McCoy, Rick Von Pfeil and Sandra Wolff, who all congratulated Ariola on his win.
“I hope he can pursue a path of diplomacy, reconciliation, and increased dialogue within city council,” Von Pfeil told the Taylor Press.
At Taylor Independent School District, Buzan will remain in the at-large seat for another term. Buzan defeated his opponent, Lisa Baum, with 75.47% of the vote.
“I love it,” Buzan said about being elected.
He said he plans to fulfill his campaign promises and continue to fight for teachers and prepare the district for future growth.
“ To the people of Taylor, thank you very much for your vote and your support and entrusting such an important position to me,” Buzan said. “ I wi l l continue to work as hard as I can for our students and our schools.”
Buzan acknowledged his opponent for her willingness to run
in the election. “I’d like to express my gratitude and thanks to (Lisa) Baum for running a good and clean campaign, and thank her for the willingness to enter into the race,” Buzan said. “It’s always a very difficult decision and I applaud her stepping forward.”
Williamson County Emergency Services District No. 10 won the election and will now annex territory previous serviced by the Avery-Pickett Volunteer Fire Department.
