By Doug Miller
Newcomer Denise Tangney became the first woman since the 1970s to win the most votes in a council election, capturing 4,692 in unofficial returns. She narrowly eclipsed her incumbent running mate Leonard Remo, who garnered 4,575 votes. Both won four-year terms. Robert Tepper, another first-time candidate, finished third with 4,347, earning a two-year term.
The Democrats beat a Republican ticket led by incumbent Mona Goodman, who tallied 3,929 votes; Valerie Buscemi, who had 3,790, and Raymond Ellmer, who had 3,552.
The election ended a brief but hostile campaign cycle that didn't seem to gain steam until mid-October. When it did, however, both sides rolled out attack ads of dubious truthfulness. Both campaigns anonymously attacked rival candidates by besmirching their family members. And both sides congratulated themselves when it was over for taking the high road in the face of such attacks.
The consequences should be far-reaching, certainly as far as the makeup of City Hall is concerned. The city will almost certainly be looking for a new police commissioner, since the current one, Tom Sofield Sr., is the father of holdover Councilman Tom Sofield Jr.
One candidate with a hat in the ring to be top cop may be Lt. Michael Tangney, the councilwoman-elect's brother-in-law. Tangney's relationship with Commissioner Sofield has varied over the years from polite to litigious, and he was sent from the detective division to the less glamorous traffic division when Sofield took over.
The city manager, Charles Theofan, may also be replaced, as might people in several other positions that turned over two years ago when the Republican coalition cleaned house.
But those are decisions for January. Tuesday night was all about the moment, and for the Democrats, it was for declarations of vindication. "The community came together and declared that politics belong here, not at City Hall!" shouted Democratic Party Chairman Joshua Ketover, relishing his first win as boss. "We proved that we are not just the Democratic stronghold of Nassau County, but of all of Long Island."
"Thank you, family! Thank you, committee-people! Thank you, voters!" shouted Denise Tangney, a cigar still wrapped in plastic jutting from her mouth. "Get ready for four years of greatness!"
Her first-place finish makes her the first woman to win a council race outright since the "water ladies" of three decades ago. In 1975, two candidates, Frances Smith and Frances Hodson, ran an insurgency campaign against the regular Democrats' plan to institute water meters. According to city historian Roberta Fiore, Smith finished first and Hodson second - but the city went ahead and installed water meters in 1977 anyway.
Remo toasted his fellow Democrat on the council, Denis Kelly, whose term expires at the end of the year and who was not invited by his party to run for re-election after endorsing the GOP slate two years ago. "You won't find a more honest guy in government," Remo said. He then turned to Tepper and Denise Tangney and said, "Rob, Denise, fill his shoes well."
Remo was then drowned out by chants of "Remo-Tangney-Tepper! Remo-Tangney-Tepper!"
Half a block west of the celebration, Republicans were taking solace in Denise Ford's re-election to the county Legislature, and supporters and volunteers took turns congratulating Tom Sofield Jr. on the birth Tuesday afternoon of his fourth child, a son named John William, who entered the arena weighing 6 pounds, 11 ounces and measuring 19 3/4 inches tall. Sofield's wife, Jeanine, was said to be doing well, as was the baby.
The defeated council candidates were more reflective, and Goodman, whose two-year term expires at the end of the year, said she was proud of her ticket's effort. "There are a lot of people who care about this city," she said. "I think we ran a terrific campaign and really took the high road. Everyone worked very heard. I felt it was important for Long Beach to have a good, honest government, and I'll keep working toward that goal."
City Council President Jim Hennessy, disappointed about losing his council majority, promised his would not be a silent minority. "We're going to work every single day to make sure the Democrats keep their promises," he said. "We are certainly turning the city back over to them in better condition than how we found it."
Jennifer LaLima contributed to this story. Comments about it? DMiller@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 213.
