ELECTION RESULTS: Arnold keeps Val-P mayor's seat

VALPARAISO — Voters on Tuesday made sure Bruce Arnold will remain their city’s mayor, an office he has held since 1964.

According to unofficial results, Arnold garnered 738 votes or 57.6 percent, over challenger Brent Smith’s 545 votes.

“I’m elated. I’m on cloud nine,” Arnold said Tuesday night. “I appreciate the confidence people expressed at the polls.”

Smith, a Valparaiso native, said he was disappointed, but believed he ran a positive campaign.

“I think I fought a good fight,” he said. “I didn’t put out all the negativity that came back toward me. I kept everything above board, and I don’t think I have anything to be ashamed of.”

Smith said he wishes Arnold well and does not see himself returning to Valparaiso politics.

“I’m sure I’m done,” he said. “I wish the city well.”

Voters also chose two city commissioners, re-electing Commissioner Heyward Strong and voting in newcomer Diane Kelley.

Strong, who has served on the commission since 1976, got 620 votes. Kelley, who is the principal at Destin Middle School, got 646 votes.

They defeated four opponents, mostly newcomers to Valparaiso politics: John Havard, Martha Woodcock, Ron Powers and Caroleen Swanson.

Voter turnout was about 43 percent, with 1,286 of the city’s 3,014 voters going to the polls.

Tuesday’s election marked the second time Smith has challenged Arnold for the mayor’s seat. He also lost to Arnold in 2006.

Arnold’s victory marks the end to a bitter and often negative campaign.

Smith and Arnold held opposing views of how the city should have handled its legal dispute with the Air Force over the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter coming to Eglin Air Force Base.

Arnold spearheaded the lawsuit against the Air Force. Smith called the lawsuit “irresponsible,” and said it had used too much of the city’s reserve funds.

The lawsuit, settled earlier this month, claimed the jets’ noise would destroy Valparaiso’s property values and quality of life.

In February, “Stop Brent Smith” signs popped up around the city. They accused Smith of failing to support the city against the military and also of supporting the closure of Valparaiso Elementary School.

A group calling itself Valparaiso Citizens for Progress also penned letters to residents that accused Smith of belonging to the “good old boy network … designed to do what is in the best interest of only their group.”

Smith accused Arnold of organizing a smear campaign against him in an effort to hold onto the mayor’s office he has held for 46 years.