| Sales Tax Extension Passes; Kelly Re-Elected Auditor;
Howard Wins 4th Ward; Sloan and Cornell Advance to General Published: Tuesday, February 3, 2009, C-T
The Chillicothe municipal election saw 704 voters — or 13 percent — voter turnout Tuesday. The lobby of the Livingston County courthouse was packed with candidates seeking office as well as interested members of the public to watch the election night returns. Two offices were decided in Tuesday's election — that of city auditor and 4th Ward Councilman — as well as party nominations for the 1st Ward and a sales tax extension for permanent streets. Selected results of the election are as follows: City Auditor
Fourth Ward Councilman
First Ward Council — Republican
First Ward Council — Democrat
Sales Tax Extension (passed)
Sales Tax Question Passes C-T Photo / Catherine Stortz Ripley
Proposal Wins With 67 Percent Approval The voters were few but their voices were loud when it came to deciding whether to extend a half-cent sales tax to fund permanent streets for the city of Chillicothe. The proposal passed with a 67 percent voter approval, capturing 439 “Yes” votes and 213 “No” votes. Tuesday’s election, which also saw an auditor’s race and races for two city council seats, brought just 13 percent of the city’s registered voters to the polls. Chillicothe voters first approved the sales tax to pay for construction of permanent streets in 1999. The tax was due to expire in 2011. With the extension approved Tuesday, the tax will continue to be collected until 2021. The strongest support for passage of the sales tax extension came from the 2nd Ward, where 70 percent of the voters approved the measure. First and 4th Ward voters supported the measure by 67 percent. Third Ward voters — although narrowing the gap some — still soundly passed the extension as well with 58 percent of the voters saying “Yes.” Chillicothe Mayor Chuck Haney said he was pleased to see the permanent street measure pass with overwhelming approval. Howard Gets 4th Ward Nod
C-T Photo / Catherine Stortz Ripley Political newcomer Paul Howard captured the 4th Ward Chillicothe City Council seat in a two-way Republican primary election race Tuesday. With just 107 total votes cast for the council position, Howard won with 58 votes, (54 percent). His opponent, James Beaman, captured 49 votes. Since there are no other 4th Ward candidates, this council position was determined Tuesday. The primary election saw a total of 167 1st Ward voters (14 percent) casting ballots in the election; however, since Tuesday was a primary election, voters were forced to choose a party ballot which meant that they could either vote for their council representative or for the city auditor — but not both. The council race was on the Republican ballot; yet, if voters wanted to participate in the auditor’s race they would have had to choose a Democrat ballot. At least 59 voters chose Democrat ballots and at least two voters chose Libertarian ballots. Howard, 44, has worked for Hy-Vee Food Store for 27 years and currently serves as the store’s general merchandise and health and beauty care manager. He is a 1982 graduate of Chillicothe High School and has two daughters. He resides at 244 Clark Street and has previously served as 4th Ward Republican committeeman. Light Voting
C-T Photo / Catherine Stortz Ripley |
CAPTION: Ballot counting went quick and generated much interest Tuesday evening at the Livingston County courthouse where results to Chillicothe’s municipal primary election were posted. Many of the candidates were present. Among them was Carol Sloan (front, second from left), who won her Republican primary bid for 1st Ward. In April, she will face Sid Cornell (seated behind Sloan), who was elected the Democrat nominee. Others present Tuesday evening included Republican Donna Preszler (front, third from left) who will face Democrat Tom Douglas (standing at right) for the 3rd Ward Council seat. Seated at far right is Earle Teegarden Jr. who did not to seek re-election as 1st Ward Councilman. Tuesday’s election saw a 13 percent voter turnout.
CAPTION: Paul Howard, left, watches closely as results are posted for the 4th Ward Council seat. Howard, accompanied at the courthouse by his daughter, Hanna (right), won his bid for the council with 58 votes. His opponent, James Beaman, received 49 votes.
CAPTION:
After a light voter turnout during early morning hours today (Tuesday), the pace picked up some just before noon at Calvary Baptist Church where Chillicothe’s 4th Ward voters were casting ballots. Voters here were deciding whether to elect James Beaman or Paul Howard to represent them on the City Council. Both candidates are running as Republicans and since there are no other 4th ward candidates, whoever gets the most votes in today’s election will be elected to the council. By 11:30 there were 64 people who had cast ballots in the 4th Ward. Citywide, voters were deciding whether to extend a capital improvement sales tax for permanent streets.