Gitt wins Ward 3 city council nod

By Don Bowen/Fremont Tribune
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 - 11:39:06 am CDT

A Fremont businessman said he feels his job may have given him an edge in the Republican primary election for the Fremont City Council Ward 3 seat.

Sean Gitt beat former council member Patti Emanuel-Vaughan and relative newcomer Chris Maki for the party’s nomination Tuesday. Gitt is unopposed on the November general election ballot.

In the race, Gitt received 170 votes (about 39 percent) to Emanuel-Vaughan’s 141 votes (more than 32 percent). Maki received

104 votes (nearly 24 percent).

As the owner of Gitt Electrical, he said he goes into people’s homes and businesses every day.

“One of the things is that people are trusting you when you go in,” Gitt said. “It’s something that’s kind of hazardous. They’re trusting you to perform a service to a certain standard and to provide that at a reasonable price.”

Gitt said he’s owned the business for about five years, but it was started by his father Larry in 1981.

“I’m excited to move forward with everyone on the city council and the mayor to tackle some of the community issues,” he said. “I just want to feel part of the community. I’ve been part of the community my whole life. I was one of those people who instead of complaining about issues was trying to make a difference.”

Maki said he wasn’t surprised by the outcome.

“It was kind of expected,” Maki said. “Sean didn’t do a whole lot of campaigning but his name and him growing up in Fremont made a difference. I knew it would be a tough sell on my part. I did have a better showing this time.”

Maki and Gitt lost to council member Scott Getzschman two years ago in a race to fill the seat left vacant by Emanuel-Vaughan when she resigned from the council after 15 years.

“I put more effort into it this time,” Maki said. “Any signs or mailings came out of my own pockets. It’s disappointing though to not have a better showing.”

Maki said he might consider running again but not in the next election in 2010.

“That’s when Scott Getzschman will be up,” Maki said. “Scott does a good job for our ward. I’ll focus more of my attention on my computer repair business -- Mak-Tek.”

Emanuel-Vaughan said she isn’t upset by the loss.

“I wish Mr. Gitt the best of luck representing the third ward,” she said. “I enjoyed it a great deal, and I’m sure he will, too. My attitude since I’ve filed is that either way time goes on. I have great faith in my higher power, and this is obviously not what I’m meant to do right now.

“I was encouraged by some people I respect a great deal to run, and it’s just the way it is.”

Gitt said he has a clear understanding of what he perceives the role of the city council to be.

“I think it’s important that everybody in the community has a voice,” he said. “Not just a particular group of administrators to run in a certain direction if the community doesn’t want it. It’s being a liaison between the community and the administration.”

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Joseph P. Sokolovsky
May 14, 2008 1:58 PM
CONGRATULATIONS Sean....the right person won....good luck, Sean....
there will be some learning to do
but....you'll do fine Sean....just
remember to put "the people" above
any and all your personal goals!!
NJB
May 14, 2008 2:09 PM
Sean, how can you say everyone in the community has a voice. This election is proof positive we all don't. Unless you were a registered Republican in our ward you had no say. So you see that is a bunch of malarky if you expect me to beleive you. Show us you mean what you say and change the way Fremont elects its city officials. You know Sean, if I had been a republican you would have had my vote, since I am not, doesn't count or matter. Show us you can change things at city hall and not be one of the good ol boys. Stand up for 3rd ward. If you know any way a person can help to get the election ways changed here, post it and you will see me front and center. I am pinning alot of hopes for my town and ward on you, don't let us down.
To Sean
May 14, 2008 5:18 PM
Please work hard to do something about the slumlords who own old houses turned into apartments which are next to single-family homes. I also wish something would be done so that people can't buy houses in our ward that are single-family and turn them into duplexes or apartments; I have a house across the street from me that had that happen; the people who bought it live in Day Acres - they don't even live around here. They don't allow people to turn houses in Day Acres into duplexes or apartments, so why is it allowed in my neighborhood???
RE NJB
May 14, 2008 11:11 PM
Get over it NJB. Every blog you have is how you were silenced cause you could not vote. You are a D, get involved and get your party to put up a candidate. and good luck getting City Council to go non partisan. Don't look now but Bob warner is only D on council and he is being replaced by an R. That means in January there will be all R's on City Council plus an R mayor. Of course our new Senator Charlie Janssen will step down so the Mayor will appoint a new councilman in ward 1. Think he will appont a D?
Higher Power
May 15, 2008 5:45 AM
Emanuel cites her loss on a "Higher Power". No Patty, blame your loss on the voters! They decided who to vote for and you were not the best candidate.
Fremont Native
May 15, 2008 9:54 AM
Congratulations Sean!
Just remember, you can't please all the people so just do what you know is right and the results will speak for themselves. Don't be put off by the naysayers. Most of them don't vote.
NJB
May 15, 2008 11:38 AM
By the way, I am not a Democrat. In chosing our city leaders it should not be determined by party lines but by what person is right for the job, nothing more nothing less. As for your remarks about an all Republican council, doesn't it bother you in the least that you haven't been swayed by the person running, just the party. As for Mr Janssen, it bother me that he hasn't even completed a term on the council and he misses alot of the meetings. Is this a sign of what to expect from him if he goes on to win in the fall? I want a candidate who is more interested in what is good for district 15 than one whose only concern is furthering a political career. I want a candidate with intregrity, good morals and values, not some kid who is looking after himself first and our city or state as an afterthought. If he couldn't complete a election promise to the council, will he complete the one to the state or is this just another stopover to the congress or senate?
Joseph P. Sokolovsky
May 15, 2008 2:43 PM
TO NJB

I agree with you that chosing our city leaders should not be by party lines. And many others making comments seem to agree with you...why don't all of you as a group talk to the Election Commissioner about what it would take to accomplish that?

I do not agree with you that Charlie Janssen is "some kid who is looking after himself first and our city or state as an after thought." As I recall Charlie is in his late 30's, and it is very common through out Nebraska for city officials to run for a state office. As for your "back shooting" remark, "I want a candidate with intregrity, good morals and values..."
With all respect NJB, if you have some specific accusation to make.... be above board, and make it....and in the process put your name on it...fair enough? Finally, I didn't see any other candidate standing on a pile of dirt in a constuction area at 23rd and Bell waiving his political sign and asking people for thier vote...NJB, I would call this dedication and going the extra mile by Charlie Janssen to accomplish something he very much believes in! My point? I think Charlie
will take that same dedication and drive to Lincoln with him as our new State Representative. That's my story and I am sticking to it!!!!
D
May 15, 2008 5:24 PM
In response to RE NJB --
Don't count your chickens just yet on the all Rs on the council next January. There is a strong D candidate running in the second ward. Leslie Carter has a great chance at winning! And CORRECTION...Charlie Janssen is NOT our new Senator. He is just the candidate from the Republican party....Richard Register did very well in the primary and has a chance of making some ground this summer and winning in November. There are some excellent D candidates running in NE. If you haven't noticed...this is the year of the Democratic party from the bottom to the top. Just wait and see.
Joseph P. Sokolovsky
May 15, 2008 8:45 PM
To NJB

I agree with you that local city elections should not be along party lines...rather which person a voter feels will do the best job for Fremont.

I do not agreed with you that Charlie Janssen is doing something wrong by not completing his City Council term before running for another office. This is done often throughout Nebraska....it is called politics.

Also, Charlie Janssen is not "a kid" as you called him....a person into the 30's something is an adult. And you continue by saying, "a candidate with intregrity, good morals and values, etc.," NJB...what specifically are you talking about?

Unfortunely, NJB, not to go on a religious trip....aren't we all basically sinners in the eyes of God,
and haven't we ALL made mistakens in our lives?

Finally, I didn't see any other candidate standing on top of dirty piles in a construction zone at 23rd and Bell Streets (on a windy / chilly day)...waving his campaign signs, and asking people for their vote....that is plain ole hard work and dedication! I would tend to think Charlie is very dedicated, and believes in what he is doing....serving the people of 'all of Dodge County.'
Bobo
May 15, 2008 9:11 PM
To Higher Power:
Good call. I wonder if it was Ms. Vaughan's "higher power" that also made her quit her other jobs. The mere idea that the "HP" cares about what happens politically in an insignificant speck of dust like Fremont is absurd.
Joseph P. Sokolovsky
May 15, 2008 11:04 PM
To D

In response to your comment....I would doubt there are 100 people in Ward 2
that even knows who Leslie Carter is...
and conversely, I would venture to guess the majority of residents in Ward 2 know Mary Marsh personally, and most feel she does a great job. Most voters in Ward 2 know they can count on Mary to put the voters interests first, and she is not a typical politician that has a personal agenda. I am not sure the same canbe said about Ms. Carter;
she had best devote more time to the MainStreetFremont organization verses getting herself into a conflict or interest situation (per a Tribune article in which the director for this area of MainStreet...recommended Leslie NOT run for the City Council). As mentioned, Fremont should come first verses Ms. Carter's personal agenda. Being a member of the City Council takes a LOT more time than most people would guess...if one is going to do a good job...which Mary Marsh had done.
NJB
May 16, 2008 8:42 AM
Joseph, I thank you for you nice comments. It is refreshing to see someone who may not agree with me let me speak my mind without name calling. I did get a chance to talk to a number of city council members on the way the elections are being run. Seems quite a few Fremonters had the same feelings I have. Apparently this is one issue the council is taking to heart and they are going to try and do something to change it. I thank you for your advice on who all to contact. This is an issue I intend to continue to pursue. As far as my feelings for Charlie as a candidate it is based on a number of factors. 1st his attendance to the council meetings, I also feel strongly that if he could not finish the committment he made to the council will he follow through with the committment to the state. As far as my feelings for his values and intregrity go, I have known Charlie for a long time and my children went to school with him, so how I see him is based on what I have seen through the years. I am not making accusations I am stating a personal opinion. And Joseph with all due respect standing on a construction pile of dirt does not a good candidate make. The nice thing about all of this is all of us are entitled to our own opinions. I do enjoy reading your comments here and in the daily paper, I may not always agree with you but I love the chance to see all the different ideas out there. Keep it up, keeps people on their toes.
Re NJB
May 16, 2008 10:06 AM
Charlie has missed 3 meetings over the past two years. I would hardly call that an attendance problem. Your comments make it sound like he is never there and you are. If that were the case you would not be reporting that he misses all of the time because he does not. And unlike your "facts" based on your opinion, Charlie's attendance is a matter of public record and can be checked by loooking over the minutes of every meeting. Also you will note that it is not uncommon for council people to miss a couple meetings per year.
Standing on a dirt pile may not make a person a better candidate but it does show me he is willing to work. Say what you want NJB but you can not deny that Charlie has built a business from the ground up and now employs over 40 people here in Fremont. I am married to one of those people he employs and let me tell you RTG Medical with it's positive culture and generous pay pachkages has changed our lives. Talk to the people that work for and with Charlie and you will find out just how impressive he is. I have watched from the sidelines as he was taking shots about his personal life that were based on nothing but rumors. His only concern ever was that he would someday have to explain to his children why people would say such things. Other than that he kept things in perspective and fought on. I would call that the type dedication and results that I would like to see across this town. I think it was quite metophorical actually. Everybody tried to throw dirt/mud at Charlie and his successes and where did he end up? Right on top of the pile with 60% of the vote. Same place he will be in November.
Ralph Kramden
May 16, 2008 11:08 AM
Reff NJB, If you feel so strong about your opinions why won’t you put your name out their just like the politicians have to do when they make remarks in the paper?? So the way I see it your comments have no merit to them. nor are they true they are just personal attacks at people that you don’t like.