Perhaps the biggest winner in this week’s Ely City Election was not even on the ballot, in fact it was not even a person but rather a facebook page that may have forever reshaped local politics.
Begun in march by Ely resident Audrey Clark the little that could soon became a lively forum for citizens to express their opinions on just about anything political in Ely. Boasting a little over 250 members White Pine & Ely Politics is credited by many with tipping the scales in a close election by many locals.
“I started the group back in March 2013 as a way for me to learn about politics. I really knew nothing and thought it would be a great (fun) way for me to learn, Little did I know the ruckus it would cause! I am truly amazed how the group grew and transformed. A lot of people joined and seemed to enjoy having a place to discuss issues and try to find answers to things.” said page founder Audrey Clark.
“I have been told by many who live here in Ely that this group helped them become more informed on the issues then they have ever been in the past! This I find to be a great thing!!” Clark wrote in an e-mail.
“The election turned out to be quite a nail biter. When the early votes came in I was a bit disappointed. But when the next results came in I was Jumping out of my seat! Things had taken a turn for the better!!”
“Final Results
Seat 1
Robert Sedlacek: 419 votes
Bruce Setterstrom: 427 votes
SEAT THREE
Rom DiCianno: 402 votes
Randy Lee: 444 votes
SEAT FIVE
Sam Hanson: 452 votes
Don Purinton: 381 votes”
What Clark was referring to were the early voting results that had two of the three reform candidates losing.
Most of those early votes came before the last Ely City Council meeting when Clark and her page were taken to task by outgoing councilman Shane Bybee.
Bybee efforts to chastise Clark for her page may have created a backlash. The number of members swelled by about ten percent and the surge for the reformers at the polls on election day may also be linked to the effort.
As for what to expect of this new city council a glance at some of the comments on the facebook page indicate there may be some changes in store for Ely.
“Eight votes or 800 votes no difference. A majority makes a winner the 3 candidates that won, defeated a group that fought tooth and nail to keep the establishment that has been created over the years. An establishment that has had problems in all phases of City Government.” wrote page member and former Ely city councilman Jim Northness. “It has been pointed out to the people of Ely the City Clerk, City Attorney, incumbent City Councilmen, City Engineer, Road Supervisor. Nevada Northern Railroad Curator have all made recent decisions that were counter productive to the needs and wishes of Ely residents. Now we the residents of Ely have an opportunity to have a say so in local Government. City Hall and exiting City Councilmen just have witnessed for the first time in years people fighting back and winning. The Election is just the first step in making the City a transparent entity beholding to its constituents. Hopefully this website helped in the change about to take place. This site cannot be the only reason for the outcome of the vote, but it surely helped, There was much more information put out in all directions than elections in the past. The overall attitude of City Hall will change from RULING CLASS to PUBLIC SERVANT. Thanks to the Voters of Ely. This group should also put the same type of scrutiny on the County Commission. The new Nevada Eye has spoken…”
“I have no agenda and am beholding to nobody. The main reason I ran is because, I have been going to council meetings for 3 years and I would get so mad at how people were treated, and some of the decisions was because a person wanting something was turned down because he or she was not liked by council members.” added city councilman elect Bruce setterstrom. “I hope by changing the attitude of the council, by being fair with everyone, and creating a more transparent council, things will change for the better. Little changes can make all the difference in the world. Chris are you the owner of the old theater? That is one thing I was working on the landfill, sewer, and water bill for those 3 offices. All 3 should be the same but they were not. I think every business should be charged equally the same for like businesses. I should pay more for a restaurant, for water than say an office. I feel people were not being treated equally in some instances. One of the problems was our water, sewer, and landfill bills are handled by an out of state billing company, It is hard to make changes when you are working with a billing company that a customer cant call to ask about billing problems. Your complaint is handled by city hall who must in turn call the billing company to make charges and then the billing company charges the city more for changes. Remember when everybody was overcharged on outside water, The main reason the city did not want to reimburse people was that it would cost the city to much money to fix a mistake so at first they voted not to return the overcharges. Anyway things like that must change. I know it was not much money but you must remember some people live on a small check each month and that 2-3 dollars was a days meal for some.”