“It’s sort of like Oscar night,” said Frank Van Buer, winner of the election against incumbent Mayor Greg Sparrow,”so many people to thank.”

Van Buer won with 3,578 votes, a 59.51-percent majority. He beat Sparrow by 1,153 votes.

“I was pleasantly surprised at how much of a margin Van Buer won by,” 3rd Ward Alderman Steve Kapitan said.

Van Buer made his acceptance speech before family, friends, supporters and some city council members at a reception at the Banquet Hall in Hopkins Park Tuesday night.

There was celebration and a feeling of elation in the crowd, but Van Buer was sober as he realized the weight of the responsibility of the road ahead.

“We’ve got great years ahead of us working for the community,” Van Buer said. “I’m elated, but I realize that there’s a lot of work ahead to get as many citizens as possible involved.”

Van Buer’s supporters echoed a need for change of leadership and direction for the city.

“It’s time for a change from uncontrolled growth,” DeKalb resident Barbara Twombly said. “We want a more open government.”

Van Buer supporters who worked with Sparrow were concerned about his interest in citizen input and support for rapid development without considering long-term effects on the city.

“There’s been a group of people involved in Sparrow’s organization that has been one dimensional,” DeKalb School Board member Andy Small said.

Small said he supported Van Buer because he understood the importance of impact fees and a properly funded school district.

Former City Manager Jim Connors echoed similar feelings about Sparrow’s administration.

“Mayor Sparrow did not encourage nor allow too much staff input,” Connors said. “I saw the city suffer greatly because of that process.”

The Sparrow administration was too focused on short term results without adequate consideration for long term results, Kapitan said.

Stephen Clark, a campaign volunteer, said he supported Van Buer because of his openness and involvement.

Van Buer would have much more input from citizens on the liquor commission and manage the cost of growth with impact fees, Clark said.

Van Buer said he would continue to work at getting people involved and obtaining their input.

He said his Web site would be maintained so people could continue to leave comments and questions.