Drzyzgula, Ashman and Spiegel claim seats

One Gaithersburg created a buzz but fields only one winner

And those who rallied under the moniker One Gaithersburg for what they called a more tolerant and unified city stance, particularly on immigrant issues, pledged to continue the crusade.

Drzyzgula led the pack with 2,418 votes, or 68 percent. Ashman, who ran on a slate with Drzyzgula, received 2,241 votes, or 63 percent. And Spiegel — the lone One Gaithersburg candidate — claimed the third council seat with 2,000 votes, or 56 percent.

Carlos Solis and Ahmed Ali were the other two candidates endorsed by the One Gaithersburg coalition. Solis won 993 votes, or 28 percent, and Ali 917, or 26 percent.

Wilson Faris won 982 votes, or 28 percent, and Shawn Ali received 460 votes, or 13 percent.

Shortly after the results were announced Tuesday night at City Hall, Drzyzgula said she was ready to tackle business.

‘‘I imagine I’ll have briefings on issues that need urgent attention,” she said. ‘‘We need to start the process of looking for a city manager and a city attorney.”

When asked what the outcome of the city’s most controversial election means she said, ‘‘It says when people work hard, they get good results.”

Ashman said he was ‘‘honored and gratified by the trust that the citizens have given me, and my job is to never let them down.” He too said there is no time to waste in addressing pressing city business.

In addition to the hiring of a city manager and city attorney, he said that work includes expanding the city police force and retaining officers and ‘‘looking into whether we need to beef up code enforcement with neighborhood service inspectors.”

Noting the losses of Ahmed Ali and Solis, Spiegel called his victory ‘‘a little bittersweet” during a One Gaithersburg party at Antojito’s Restaurant in Olde Towne Tuesday night.

‘‘I’m excited to work and speak for all the city, especially the communities that have not been represented,” he said.

Speaking to about 70 supporters who packed the restaurant, Spiegel said, ‘‘It wasn’t just a campaign. It was a movement. A movement doesn’t start and end with one campaign and one race. ... I will be a voice for the community, I promise you.”

Solis also addressed the crowd at the restaurant.

‘‘I did my best, we’ll see about the next time,” he said. ‘‘I’m proud of what I did.”

Solis called the campaign a learning experience and said he plans to start watching the council more.

Ahmed Ali said he also learned a lot and called the election a positive experience. ‘‘I wish it could have been different. Jud and Cathy ran a strong campaign, and I respect them.”

The first order of business for the new council will likely be determining the process for hiring a city manager in the wake of David B. Humpton’s resignation last month.

The city manager is responsible for prioritizing and developing the city budget and determines whether and in which order the council will address development or redevelopment issues, ensures that city departments are appropriately staffed and maintains city relationships with the state delegation and county, said Councilman Michael Sesma.

The not-yet determined hiring process will likely require a national search. The council must also address whether to hire a city attorney. Cathy Borten resigned from the position last month.

Then there are actual budget considerations. Acting City Manager Jim Arnoult has begun preparing a draft city budget for the council to review at its strategic retreat in December. Decisions will affect not only department budgets and staffing, but capital improvement projects, such as the proposed new aquatics center.

New council members inevitably face a steep learning curve, said both Sesma and Mayor Sidney Katz. They must get quickly up to speed on issues ranging from city development projects and affordable housing to overcrowding in schools.

And next week, the mayor and at least several of the council members are expected to attend the National League of Cities Conference in New Orleans.

Staff Writer Meghan Tierney contributed to this report.

making it official

The newly elected members of the Gaithersburg City Council will be sworn into office at 7 tonight at City Hall, 31 S. Summit Ave. They will join Council members Michael Sesma and Henry Marraffa Jr. on the five-member panel.