Politics & Government

Mike Polizzi Scores Decisive Victory in Fenton Mayor's Race

Paul Seemayer's mayoral bid falls short; Andrew Sobey Jr. wins the Ward 1 aldermanic seat. Aldermen Maurath, Clauss, and Mauller re-elected

Businessman Mike Polizzi won a decisive victory over Fenton alderman and firefighter Paul Seemayer Tuesday in the election to fill the mayor's seat in Fenton.

It wasn't close.

Polizzi, owner and president of ABF Security, Fenton, handily outpolled Seemayer - 881 to 315. Polizzi grabbed 73.66 percent of the vote, to Seemayer's 23.64 percent.

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The Polizzi camp was ebullient Tuesday night as it celebrated its win Tuesday night at ABF Security headquarters on Horan Drive.

So, what's it all mean?

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"I think (Fenton voters) wanted a positive step forward instead of being stagnant and I think they think I'm the guy who can get it done," Polizzi said Tuesday night. "It's been a heartwarming experience."

Seemayer calmly accepted the decision of the Fenton electorate, but was blunt in his assessment of the election returns. "I got my butt kicked," he said.

For Seemayer, the rejection at the polls means he will no longer be a member of the city's Board of Aldermen. His decision to seek the mayor's office was an all-or-nothing proposition since he couldn't seek re-election to his Ward 1 aldermanic position and run for mayor at the same time. Both he and his wife, Pam, had hoped to celebrate a victory at a party attended by their friends and family members at Joe Clark's Restaurant, 42 Gravois Road, Fenton (which is owned by Seemayer's brother, Mark Seemayer) but there would be no celebration. Instead, both Paul and Pam said they were happy the campaigning was over, and at least were able to celebrate an evening with their children who were the delight of many who attended to support Seemayer's candidacy.

Daughter Alexis, for example, was delighted to hold up five fingers to declare her age and announce to anyone who would listen that she soon would be in Kindergarten.

There obviously was a festive mood at the Polizzi headquarters, where family, friends and supporters celebrated his victory.

"We all screamed and yelled when the numbers came in," he said.

For Polizzi, the win means he can start on his one-, three- and five-year plans for the City of Fenton and develop a "roadmap to success."

"You're going to see the City of Fenton be a city other cities will want to emulate," Polizzi said.

One of the most visible plans for Fenton will be managing the development of the site of the abandoned Chrysler plants in Fenton.

"We're going to make it a hot issue," he said Tuesday. "It has to be done right. There is a lot to do, but there needs to be some infrastructure in place (for the site to be developed)."

Polizzi said he plans to develop a committee of citizens to help guide Fenton's future development and programs "like a ship with all the sails pointing in the same direction."

In other Fenton elections, Andrew Sobey Jr. defeated Carol Brennan and Kevin Yarbrough to claim Seemayer's Ward 1 aldermanic seat. Alderman Joe Maurath, who was unopposed, will fill the remaining one-year term for alderman of Ward 2. Also, Chris Clauss and James Mauller*, both of whom were unopposed for re-election, will remain on the Board of Aldermen, in Wards 3 and 4, respectively.

In the race for director of the board of the Fenton Fire Protection District, Beth Viviano defeated Ken Boland 2,881 to 1,318.

*A previous article incorrectly identified the Ward 4 Alderman. We are sorry for the error. 


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