TEIGNMOUTH heavyweights were knocked out in a turn of the tide for district councillors. Voters plumped for three Lib-Dem newcomers Terry Falcao, Ian Parkes and Alex Cross to fill the seats of well known characters, Conservative Geoff Bladon and Independents Roy Phillips and Fred Tooley in its central and east wards. Independent and long standing councillor Vince Fusco lost out to Conservative Sylvia Russell in East Ward. Lib-Dem Cllrs David Weekes in east, an executive member, and David Cox in west retained their seats. It means that Teignmouth's six seats at district level are filled by five Lib Dems and one Conservative. Cllr Sylvia Russell said she was thrilled to return to the district council after being defeated last term. 'I thank all those who voted to give me a second chance. I have been able to have a certain amount of influence at town council level but it's not the same as being within the district authority. She paid tribute to the 'character," of Cllr Fusco. 'I have sympathy with him. He is such a genuine person and he always had the best interest of the Teignmouth at the heart of everything he had done,' she said. Lib-Dem Alex Cross, 28, knocked out veteran Fred Tooley in the contest for west ward. Cllr Cross said he was looking forward 'to getting stuck in.' 'We hope we can work with other members. It is fair to say that it has not been great in the past and we want to work together for the good of the town,' he said. But the loss of Cllr Tooley, a former mayor who comes from a large Teignmouth family, 'is tinged with sadness,' said Lib Dem David Cox. 'Fred is a friend and he has done sterling service,' he added. Cllr Geoff Bladon, a district councillor for eight years, said he had no ill feelings in losing out together with council stalwart Cllr Roy Phillips. Solicitor Terry Falcao and Ian Parkes now take the reigns in central ward. Cllr Bladon said: 'I have been on the council for eight years and that's the average. I hope that they do a good job. 'Whatever happened, the most important thing is that Teignmouth moves forward and progresses with improvements to its economy and tourism,' he said. Cllrs Falcao and Parkes paid tribute to the work carried out by Cllrs Bladon and Phillips. 'We want to move on with a spirit of co-operation,' said Cllr Falcao.
