Paule knocks Stark off Triunfo board

Michael Paule Ron Stark, who served on the Triunfo Sanitation District board of directors for more than two decades, lost his reelection bid to challenger Michael Paule.

Stark, who is currently the Triunfo board chair, earned 4,353 votes, or 47 percent of the total. Paule received 4,866 votes, or 52.5 percent.

Paule, currently vice chair of the Oak Park Municipal Advisory Council, is following in Stark's footsteps. Stark also served on both the MAC and Triunfo boards at one time.

"I'm thrilled and appreciative of a lot of people who helped make that possible," Paule said.

Paule's challenge took on added importance when he said supports changing Triunfo's board from a partially elected to an allelected, atlarge body. Currently only two of the five seats are elected by voters. The other three seats are appointed.

Triunfo boardmembers Janna Orkney and Linda Parks support the all-elected, at-large board. The other three members, including the defeated Stark, do not. Paule's election means that Orkney and Parks now have a majority to push their agenda through.

"Mike's win is a win for democracy, Parks said. "An allelected board will give voters redress because if they don't like the board's decisions, they can vote them off which they currently can't do. An all-elected board also means for the first time ever, the TSD will have all its members be residents who live in the TSD District."

"Now, with his vote, we can really make the agency run better . . . better accountability, better communication with an updated and functional website," Orkney said.

Stark expressed disappointment over the outcome of the race, but he said he plans to keep his eye on Orkney's seat, which will open in two years.

"If we get an all-elected board there will be lots of openings and I might run again," Stark said.

Paule recognized Stark for his service, but said it was time for new leadership and new direction.

"It was a tough battle. Ron's a great asset to the community and I respect him," Paule said.

Orkney also commended Stark.

"I would also like to express appreciation to Ron Stark for all his contributions to the Triunfo board and community over the years," she said.

Paule admitted he has much to learn about the issues that face the water district, which includes homes and businesses in Oak Park and parts of Thousand Oaks.

"It's a labor of love. You've got to enjoy doing these things," Paule said. "It's so rewarding when you see all that hard work pay off."