Randy Royce Talks About Election Night

The night started at Piacere, a downtown Italian restaurant where Randy Royce and Ron Collins decided to share an election party. A big turn-out. Frends, family members, and politicians from other nearby cities out to offer their support.

The first round of results came in at 8:05 pm and showed Royce was in last place.

“My first emotion was a cold sweat,” said Royce. “I saw all of our names and saw mine third. I wasn’t expecting that.”

As the night wore on, it occurred to Royce his time as a city councilmen may be over. Royce, who had been on council since 2007 and did a year as mayor, began to ease into the reality.

As the final precincts made their announcements, Royce made an announcement of his own.

“I will accept defeat, but only if we acknowledge all of the hard work and accomplishments of the city council over the last few years,” he said.

His time as mayor saw the contracting out of the police force to the county, a decision city officials say will save millions; the construction of In-N-Out Burger; and the continued fight for synthetic turf on Highland Park, which concluded while the late Omar Ahmad was mayor.

Royce said Mark Olbert and Ron Collins deserved to win and made note of how hard both men worked on their campaigns.

“I’m always an advocate of change, and I think this is great for the city,” he said. “It’ll be important for them both to get comfortable as a team with the rest of the council.”

Mark Olbert and Ron Collins will both begin their terms having never served on council before. Royce reiterated the importance of listening and working as a team when on the council, and expressed some concern over the election of Olbert.

“There’s a level of tension when he’s in a meeting,” said Royce, who has worked closely with Olbert on the 2+2 Committee. “You don’t always feel like he’s part of the partnership. I don’t think that will work on the council.”

By 11 p.m., Royce said he was home with his family, enjoying some cake, and laughing. His son asked him if he could help out with his wedding arrangements now that he’d have some free time. And what about that piece of furniture you were suppose to make me, asked his other son.

“You don’t have to worry about me keeping busy,” said Royce with the smile he seems to always keep on his face. “I think this is good for the city.”