ISLAMORADA -- In an election that could bring the village's nascent sewer program to a screeching halt, Islamorada voters Tuesday unseated incumbents Jill Zima Borski and Deb Gillis, replacing them with sewer program opponents Dave Purdo and Bob Johnson.

Purdo, a semi-retired fishing guide, garnered 58 percent of the vote in his race for Seat 2 against one-term incumbent Borski, while Johnson, a former mayor, squeaked out a victory over Gillis in the race for Seat 4 with 51 percent of the vote.

In the two other races contested March 9, Mayor Don Achenberg retained Seat 1 on the council, defeating challenger Paul Bates by a margin of 57 to 43 percent.

In the only battle that did not feature an incumbent, optician Ken Philipson defeated Rod Halenza, also with 57 percent of the vote.

The results leave the opponents of the village's proposed $132 million wastewater program with a 3-2 majority on the council. Vice Mayor Michael Reckwerdt, a sewer program opponent, was assured re-election in January when he didn't draw a challenger.

Johnson and Purdo, both of whom sued the village last fall to fight off a $21.8 million wastewater assessment, campaigned vigorously on promises that they would halt the central sewer program until more state and federal grant funding is assured.

They also called for a thorough examination of whether it would be cheaper to eschew central sewers entirely and instead require village residents to install their own 2010-compliant package plants.

"I think the voters have spoken," an ecstatic Johnson said moments after the election. "I think it does mean a new direction for the village. I think the change in council will make a significant difference in policy."

Johnson, Purdo and Reckwerdt, though, are still likely to face spirited opposition should they push for major changes on the one issue that dominated this election cycle.

Achenberg is a staunch proponent of pushing forward with the sewer system and in recent months has strongly backed a plan to pump village wastewater north to Key Largo's treatment plant. Philipson too campaigned on a stay-the-course platform in his race against sewer program opponent Halenza.

Neither Achenberg nor Philipson could be reached for comment immediately following the election.

A total of 1,836 Islamoradans voted Tuesday, a turnout of 36 percent, identical to the percentage of the electorate who cast ballots in the 2008 Village Council elections.

rsilk@keysnews.com