Butler Township

Newcomer Jeff Pakutz and incumbent Edward Natali will serve as commissioners in Butler Township for the next four years starting in January, according to unofficial election results reported in Butler County Bureau of Elections summary reports.

Voters chose Pakutz, a Democrat, and Natali, a Republican, to be the next members of the township’s board of commissioners during the Tuesday, Nov. 4, general election.

While Natali retained his seat with 3,305 votes, or 39.1% of the vote, Pakutz was able to successfully oust incumbent Sam Zurzolo with 2,715 votes, or 32.1% of the vote.

Zurzolo had 2,410 votes, or 28.5% of the vote.

Natali works as senior project manager in the engineering department at Cleveland-Cliffs, Butler Works. He will start his second term as a commissioner in January.

Outside of municipal business, he also served in leadership roles in professional societies such as the Association for Iron and Steel Technologies; as well as community service organizations, such as the Butler County Symphony Association and North Main Street Church of God.

Natali said after his victory on Tuesday night that he was thrilled for the future of Butler Township.

“I’m feeling pretty good, and I appreciate the support everyone showed me these past months,” he said.

Natali said during his next term, he would look to continue ongoing township projects, such as the implementation of the fire and emergency services strategic plan and the development of the Pullman Recreation Complex.

“There’s a lot of great things coming to the township, and I think the vote tonight was a vote of confidence from the residents,” he said.

Pakutz is a recent retiree from the role of assistant vice president and complex claim director for American International Group Insurance after a 36-year career.

Outside of work, Pakutz serves on the Butler County Bureau of Elections Computation Board and volunteers with the St. Vincent DePaul Food Bank and St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church.

He said the results of Tuesday’s election serves as proof that Butler Township residents want something different.

“I’m feeling great,” he said. “I’m appreciative that people used the vote to show that they want change in the township.”

Pakutz said he believes he will be able to work with the board of commissioners despite any political differences.

“I’m excited to work with the commissioners and continue the work that they’re doing,” he said.