By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
NORTHFIELD — Tom Polistina was sworn in as a new Ward II city councilman Jan. 5 during the governing body’s annual reorganization meeting, then was chosen as council president.
Republicans Polistina and running mate Dave Notaro defeated their opponents in the Nov. 3 election, returning to serve on the board after some time off.
Polistina previously served on City Council from 2011-13 and will replace Republican Jim O’Neill, who chose not to run for re-election.
Notaro previously served one term from 2005-07 as a Democrat. Now representing the GOP, Notaro will replace Democrat Susan Korngut in Ward I. The election of two Republicans swings control of the governing body back to the GOP with a 4-3 majority.
Polistina was joined by his fiance, Patricia Larson, and daughter Marissa Polistina, 28. His other daughter, Courtney, 27, was not able to attend. Bill Polistina, his brother, performed the swearing-in, and his mother and sisters also were in attendance.
“Thank you, Patty, for your support throughout this campaign and I know going forward, my daughter Marissa, my brother — thank you Bill — my mom,” Polistina said.
“I’d like to thank all of the councilpersons that carried over for a job well done and I’m looking forward to working with you,” Polistina said.
“I wouldn’t be here without the voters. I’d like to thank all of the voters in Northfield and I believe it was a record turnout. Hopefully that involvement will continue.
“Hopefully in the future we will have this room filled again like it’s been in the past a couple of times. What I can say is that I will work very hard for the city to make sure there is transparency and hopefully it will be for the betterment of the city and make Northfield continue to be the great place that we all love,” Polistina said.
Longtime Councilman Greg Dewees was selected as council president pro tempore, meaning he would fill in for Polistina in the event of absence or conflict.