Mouhelis narrowly keeps council seat

Wheaton Councilman Tom Mouhelis narrowly kept his seat while another incumbent and a newcomer cruised to victory Tuesday night in Wheaton's three contested city council races.

Mouhelis, who has represented the East District since 2001, defeated Jeanne Ives by only 47 votes, with all 16 precincts reporting. According unofficial tallies, Mouhelis had 679 votes and Ives received 632 votes.

Mouhelis, who hinted that his next four years in office could be his last, said his priorities will be to address flooding concerns, the redevelopment of the Hubble Middle School property and the city's budgetary woes.

In the West District, Todd Scalzo soundly defeated two other nonincumbents - Mark Kmiecik and Jim McMahon - in the race for the seat vacated by Dave Johnson, who decided not to seek a fourth term.

With all 18 precincts in that district reporting, Scalzo received 963 votes, McMahon got 668 votes and Kmiecik got 279 votes, according to unofficial totals.

Meanwhile, in the North District, Councilman Phil Suess once again defeated Tom Johnson again to keep his job.

In 2005, Suess earned his post by defeating Johnson by 128 votes.

On Tuesday, Suess got 947 votes and Johnson received 596 votes.

In the South District, Councilmen Howard Levine ran unopposed for his second term.