Elections committee member Tony Alibrandi verifies the ballot votes while Captain Paul Trant qualifies them late Tuesday for the Ward 7 Alderman primary. ~Photo by Andrew Firestone

By Andrew Firestone

The Ward 7 primary came in with a close call this last Tuesday, September 13, when Katjana Ballantyne narrowing lost to the incumbent Robert Trane 531 votes to 538. The two will meet again at the polls in November for the general election for alderperson.

“I’m proud that I topped the ticket,” said Trane in a statement, “I believe that tonight’s vote is an endorsement of my record. I look forward to discussing issues as I walk the streets of Ward 7.”

Joan Puglia only managed to carry 187 across the three precincts, ending her election bid. “I respect the decision of the voters and I wish Katjana and Bob well,” she said.

Ballantyne thanked her family and the members of her volunteer campaign and expressed hope in unseating the incumbent Trane. “Clearly the people of Ward 7 are looking for a new representation tonight because almost 60 percent of them voted that they wanted a new alderman. That’s definitely a mandate for change,” she said.

“I’m really looking forward to meeting more residents in the coming weeks.”