Donaldson replaces Stock as city mayor
Butler will be under new leadership next year.
Tom Donaldson easily defeated Mayor Maggie Stock in Tuesday's election, 1,262 votes to 655, meaning he will become the first Republican mayor in the city since 1985.
“People want change and want something real,” Donaldson, 61, said after learning the results. “They're going to get it.”
Donaldson will replace Stock, a Democrat, who has served as mayor for eight years. He won all six precincts.
It was the first race for mayor since Stock was elected in 2005, as she went unopposed in 2009. Stock defeated Republican Drusilla Rensel, 1,667 to 717, in 2005.
A former police officer for Jackson and Franklin townships and for Eau Claire, Donaldson ran on a platform emphasizing the restoration of neighborhoods, mainly by reducing crime.
“People share the concerns I have about drug-related crime in the city,” he said. “That's what people want solved the most.”
Donaldson works in Cranberry Township as a mail truck supervisor for the Michigan-based Foreman Brothers Inc.
Donaldson's focus on the neighborhoods was a contrast to Stock's campaign, which focused more on the redevelopment of the city's Main Street.
Stock wished Donaldson luck, and said she was thankful for the opportunity to serve her hometown.
“I was proud to serve Butler for the past eight years,” she said. “I'm proud of what has happened, and it was really a privilege to serve as mayor.”
Stock's campaign had an emphasis on the Centre City project being a driving force to spur economic development in the city. The project will bring an 80-room Marriott Springhill Suites hotel, a new Rite Aid Pharmacy, and a 225-lot parking garage downtown.
The city is responsible for financing the estimated $3.5 million parking garage, which it will likely do through a bond issue.
Donaldson called the proposed garage “reckless” during his campaign, but said he hopes the project works out well for the city.Donaldson continuously campaigned that the city must pay more attention to revitalizing its neighborhoods instead of downtown.“We need to take the neighborhoods back and make the streets safer,” he said. “We can make Butler better.”Donaldson said his door-to-door campaigning was the main reason he won. He said he has been on the campaign trail almost every day since July.“The people of Butler have spoken on what they want and how they feel,” he said.The interaction with the public is something Donaldson said he wants to continue as mayor. He hopes to still meet residents by going door-to-door on a regular basis.While Donaldson said he was happy to win, he was adamant the race was not about him personally.“It's about making Butler better,” he said. “It's not about me. It's about doing something different for the city.”The two candidates have not spoken to each other yet, but Donaldson said he would be open to speaking with Stock before he takes office in January.“I'm sure she has information of value,” he said. “I would be happy to talk with her.”Stock said she would be willing to meet with Donaldson.“Certainly I feel I have some information for him,” she said.Despite the defeat, Stock intends on leaving her role on a positive note. She said she wants to finish the year strong.“I have a job to do to get everything finished up,” she said. “I've got to finalize a few things for Centre City.”Donaldson will spend the next several weeks preparing for his new title.But after months of campaigning, he first wants time to reflect.“I'm going to enjoy the moment,” he said.
