Gitt wins Ward 3 city council nod

A Fremont businessman said he feels his job may have given him an edge in the Republican primary election for the Fremont City Council Ward 3 seat.

Sean Gitt beat former council member Patti Emanuel-Vaughan and relative newcomer Chris Maki for the party’s nomination Tuesday. Gitt is unopposed on the November general election ballot.

In the race, Gitt received 170 votes (about 39 percent) to Emanuel-Vaughan’s 141 votes (more than 32 percent). Maki received

104 votes (nearly 24 percent).

As the owner of Gitt Electrical, he said he goes into people’s homes and businesses every day.

“One of the things is that people are trusting you when you go in,” Gitt said. “It’s something that’s kind of hazardous. They’re trusting you to perform a service to a certain standard and to provide that at a reasonable price.”

Gitt said he’s owned the business for about five years, but it was started by his father Larry in 1981.

“I’m excited to move forward with everyone on the city council and the mayor to tackle some of the community issues,” he said. “I just want to feel part of the community. I’ve been part of the community my whole life. I was one of those people who instead of complaining about issues was trying to make a difference.”

Maki said he wasn’t surprised by the outcome.

“It was kind of expected,” Maki said. “Sean didn’t do a whole lot of campaigning but his name and him growing up in Fremont made a difference. I knew it would be a tough sell on my part. I did have a better showing this time.”

Maki and Gitt lost to council member Scott Getzschman two years ago in a race to fill the seat left vacant by Emanuel-Vaughan when she resigned from the council after 15 years.

“I put more effort into it this time,” Maki said. “Any signs or mailings came out of my own pockets. It’s disappointing though to not have a better showing.”

Maki said he might consider running again but not in the next election in 2010.

“That’s when Scott Getzschman will be up,” Maki said. “Scott does a good job for our ward. I’ll focus more of my attention on my computer repair business -- Mak-Tek.”

Emanuel-Vaughan said she isn’t upset by the loss.

“I wish Mr. Gitt the best of luck representing the third ward,” she said. “I enjoyed it a great deal, and I’m sure he will, too. My attitude since I’ve filed is that either way time goes on. I have great faith in my higher power, and this is obviously not what I’m meant to do right now.

“I was encouraged by some people I respect a great deal to run, and it’s just the way it is.”

Gitt said he has a clear understanding of what he perceives the role of the city council to be.

“I think it’s important that everybody in the community has a voice,” he said. “Not just a particular group of administrators to run in a certain direction if the community doesn’t want it. It’s being a liaison between the community and the administration.”