SLIPPERY ROCK — Three challengers defeated the incumbent council president by a large margin in Tuesday night's borough council election.

Russell D. Karl, who cross-filed as both a Democrat and Republican, won the most votes with 376, C. Eugene Allison, a Republican, had 331 votes and Itzi Meztli, a Democrat, had 296 votes.

Current council President Regina Greenwald, a Democrat, received 147 votes in her favor.

Karl, who celebrated at home with his family, also won election to a two-year seat on council, but said he will accept the four-year seat. Council members will fill the two-year seat by appointment.

Karl said he talked with both Meztli and Allison after their victory, and felt pleased with the results. He said the election night returns could also have a deeper meaning.

“I believe it validates all the things we've been saying,” he said. “(Voters) want a government that listens and responds to them and not just push things through.”

Karl and the other winners agreed that council members, especially Greenwald, have been ignoring the voices of the community. But he said he would like to work with the other winners and the current council to help prepare for the incoming council's plans.

“This was never personal against her or anybody on council,” Karl said. “It's just not acceptable anymore.”

Meztli, who won more than double the number of votes that Greenwald did, said there was another, deeper meaning in his large margin of victory.

“I knew it was between Regina and I, and it was two to one,” Meztli said. “It's clear that the voters of Slippery Rock Borough do not want the Gateway Park and parking lot project to proceed.”

The Gateway Park Project involves the demolition and renovation of property at the corner of North and Main streets, where the old First National Bank is being torn down.

Meztli said he and incoming members of council are now in a tough position, despite all three opposing the redeveloping of the plot after the bank's demolition.

“If it goes into January, I'll do everything to freeze it,” Meztli said. “Those lame duck council members need to understand that.”

Meztli said he hopes to find better ways to inform the public about the council's activity.

“We should follow the voters' will,” he said. “We want our local taxpayers to participate.”

Allison said he has found relief in the victory. He said it made the long, cold election day worth the chilly extremities.

“I'm feeling thankful that the people voted our way,” Allison said. “I look forward to getting down and in it.”

He said there is a lot of damage that needs to be reversed, especially to the community's trust in the council.

“(Election night) was interesting,” Allison said. “We've heard more negative tonight than we have in the last six months.”

Allison said it will help to have the support of the new mayor in moving forward with their plans to rebuild a stronger connection with the community.

Borough Mayor-elect John Longo, who ran unopposed in Tuesday's election, said he gave all three of the winning candidates his full support in their race. He said they have an opportunity to work together on some issues.

“We're kind of on the same page,” he said. “I'm looking forward to getting to work with them as well.”

Greenwald could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.