The winds of change blew strong in Tyrone Tuesday. The political polarization so often witnessed through 2007 paved the way for the election of Don Rehwaldt as the town’s mayor-elect. Also winning in the Nov. 6 contests were Post 1 candidate Tracy Young and, in a closer race, Post 2 candidate Eric Dial.

Rehwaldt came out on top with 679 votes, or 67.63 percent, compared to 318 votes, or 31.67 percent, garnered by Councilman Mike Smola.

In the Post 1 race, Young beat former Planning Commissioner Ken Matthews with 580 votes to 396, or 59.37 percent to 40.53 percent.

And in Post 2, Dial bested Gordon Shenkle and former Planning Commissioner Jesse Nasianceno. Dial received 475 votes at 47.17 percent, while Shenkle received 417 votes at 41.41 percent and Nascianceno received 115 votes at 11.42 percent. Dial wins with most votes per Tyrone charter despite leading candidates with 47 percent of the vote.

Just over a quarter of Tyrone’s electorate participated in the Nov. 6 contests. Fayette County voting figures showed a 26 percent turnout, with 3,855 registered voters and 1,007 votes cast in the Post 2 election, 977 cast in the Post 1 race and 1,004 cast in the mayor’s race.

Speaking Thursday, Rehwaldt thanked supporters and pledged to keep the small town character alive in Tyrone.

“There are many hard working supporters to whom I owe special thanks. Without them, this effort would have proven fruitless,” Rehwaldt said. “January, 2008 will be, with the help and input from Tyrone’s citizens, the start of a new beginning that will make Tyrone a place that most of the people moved here to experience, a small town atmosphere without crowding, traffic, and the hustle and bustle that accompany many other small towns.”

Smola was unable to be contacted.