Web produced by: Kerry DukeVoters chose three familiar faces and one new one on Tuesday to serve on the Newport City Commission.
Elected were incumbents Frank Peluso and Beth Fennell along with Tom Guidugli, who was mayor but stepped down because of term limits to run for commission. Also elected was newcomer John Hayden.
Peluso, a former city clerk and waterworks director, won a second term and gathered more votes than any other candidate with 2,856 or 20 percent of the ballots cast.
Guidugli, who is stepping down from mayor because of term limits, finished second in the balloting. He had 2,744 or 19 percent of the vote.
Fennell, a commissioner since 1992, ran third with 2230 votes or 15 percent.
Newcomer Hayden, an attorney and member of the Campbell County Democratic Executive Committee, took the fourth spot on the commission with 2016 votes or 14 percent.
He ousted Knepshield, a retired teacher and commissioner for more than 20 years, who finished out of the running at fifth.
Newport has a population of 15,580, according to the 2007 U.S. Census. Like the region's other river cities it is struggling with a shrinking population, and a tax base.
The city has developed its riverfront with the popular Newport on the Levee entertainment district and Newport Aquarium and is in the midst working to revive its economy.
Among current developments being built is the South Shore condominium and marina development. Along with the riverfront development, the city is working to upgrade its existing housing stock, capitalize on the East Row Historic District and foster improvement in the local school system.
Though there has been new development in Newport, the city continues to battle budget problems and struggles to maintain city services, causing some to criticize the nature of the city's economic development incentives, and its use of eminent domain, and their benefits to local taxpayers. The city's acquisition of houses and buildings in the Cote Brilliant neighborhood to clear the way for development is viewed by many as a case in point.
Commissioners serve two-year terms.
Elected by a wide margin in the mayor's race was Jerry "Rex" Peluso, who has served on the commission.
