Medina elects Padoleski as new mayor

Wagner, Prawel picked for village trustees

Photos by Tom Rivers: Medina voters elected the team of Debbie Padoleski as mayor, and Jeff Wagner, center, and Mark Prawel for village trustees. The trio campaigned together and were on the same party line: the “People’s Party.”

MEDINA – Five years ago Debiie padoleski retired as Medina’s village clerk-treasurer. She worked in the village clerk’s office for 41 years, starting when she was 19.

On Wednesday, village residents elected her mayor.

Padoleski won 489 to 405 for incumbent Marguerite Sherman.

After waiting about 2 ½ hours for the votes to be counted, the outcome was announced by Judy Szulis, the election chairwoman for the village.

Padoleski and Sherman hugged each other when the results were announced. They had waited patiently in the Senior Center until just after 11:30 p.m.

“I’m in shock,” Padoleski said walking in the parking lot. “It was a very close race.”

She was congratulated by several people, with one saying, “It’s time to take back the village.”

Padoleski starts the new two-year term as mayor on April 1 and right away will need to lead the Village Board in working through the new village budget for 2026-27. That spending plan needs to be adopted by April 30.

“I’m ready to get to work,” she said.

She never expected to be a politician with her name on signs. She was elected village trustee two years ago and has been outspoken about a high tax burden in the village. She led the way in getting the village’s new ladder truck declared surplus. The $1.7 million ladder truck’s fate is uncertain. Padoleski would like to sell it and hold off on an addition to the fire hall.

She worries the high village taxes could drive out residents and businesses. It’s a message that seemed to resonant with many in the community.

“The support I’ve gotten is fabulous,” she said.

Sherman wishes the new board well as it faces many issues, and not just the ladder truck and a possible fire hall addition. Medina should work on developing long-term plan for infrastructure, sidewalks and affordability, she said.

“No matter what the outcome, the board has to come together because there is a lot going on in this village,” Sherman said after the results were announced.

Medina voters also elected village trustees – Jeff Wagner, 491 votes, and Mark Prawel with 487. They ran together with Padoleski on the “People’s Party” line.

Dean Bellack received 319 votes and Courtney Henderson was named on 212 write-in votes for trustee.