Voters in Washington Court House made their voices heard Tuesday.
The city’s electors voted in a new council member, Jim Balir. Among him, incumbent Kendra Redd-Hernandez hung on to her seat with incumbent Jim Chrisman. Newcomers Kathie Oesterle and Jason Gilmore lost.
The city school’s 1% income tax increase failed. The school district fought hard this year, for the second time in 12 months pleading with the public to give them additional operating money. That measure failed with 49% voting yes and 50% voting no.
Speaking of the Washington Court City Schools, a new face will sit on the Board of Education, along with some incumbents. Dennis Garrison won a seat on the board; he fought a long-hard race by expending the most money in the entire county for a race, mostly through in-kind donations. Garrison is the president of Melvin Stone Company.
Garrison will take the oath of office in January joined by incumbents Craig Copas and Jen Lynch.
Jeffersonville Village Council has a new name. Mary Garringer is top vote getter. Garringer was elected alongside incumbent Sue Burnside. Garringer replaces Gordon McCarty, who wanted to seek re-election, but did not get his paperwork turned in on time.
The Village of New Holland streets levy passed, as did their EMS levy.
In townships around the county, numerous seats were up in each.
Concord Township: Keith Montgomery was removed from the Board of Trustees, with newcomer William Bower running unopposed. Bridget Sollars will stay on as clerk.
Green Township: Fiscal officer Amy Gustin will not be on the ballot; the position will become vacant because no one else filed, either. Outgoing trustee Byron Gustin joins her walking out the door; his name will not appear on the ballot, and his position will also become vacant since no one filed to run for it, either.
Jasper Township: Incumbent Richard Anders ran unopposed, and so did incumbent fiscal officer Carol Langley.
Jefferson Township: Incumbent Chris Right and fiscal officer Jomi Ward stay in their seats.
Madison Township: Incumbent David Dorn and fiscal officer Myron Miller stay put.
Paint Township: Things got interesting in this small township. Incumbent Duane Matthews fought to keep his seat from challenger Donald Hutchens. Current fiscal officer Richard Burton was challenged by Tonya Fleak. Matthews and Burton won.
Perry Township: Nothing exciting here to report. Incumbent Richard Wilson, Jr., and fiscal officer Brenda Hughes go nowhere.
Union Township: The township that surrounds Washington Court House saw a little action. Incumbent Tom Rambo fought hard against Paul Marshall to stay on as fiscal officer. Rambo won. Incumbent trustee Clyde Fyffe says put.
Wayne Township: Incumbents David Batson and fiscal officer Cindy Seaton remain on the job with no opposition.
