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2010-02-09

2010-01-19

Agriculture

Lifestyles

Monday, March 30, 2009 11:41 AM

Newcomers vie for Williamsburg seats

By JENALEA MYERS, Herald Staff Writer

WILLIAMSBURG — Unless someone wins a write-in campaign, there will be no surprises in the race for Williamsburg City Council.

Three newcomers, including Dennis Norton, Gene Hirt and Pennie Westfall, will compete in the spring election April 7 for three positions on the council.

Dennis Norton

If elected, this won’t be Norton’s first experience on the council. He served as both mayor and council member in the 1990s.

He said many community members approached him about running.

“I’m looking forward to working with the other city council members and mayor,” he said. “It’s a nice community.”

Norton, who is retired, ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2007 against incumbent David Staley.

During his time on the council, Norton said he’s most proud of bringing a rural water district to the area and the installation of a new sewer system.

A longtime Williamsburg resident, Norton said he’s heard of people who possibly could be write-in votes.

“I think that’s great,” he said. “I hope there are some people. It will make it a little more interesting.”

Gene Hirt

Voters will recognize Hirt’s name from the November ballot.

He ran unsuccessfully for the Franklin County Commission representing the 2nd District.

“I just want to help out the city of Williamsburg as much as possible,” Hirt, a retired electrical technician, said.

He said he’d like to work with other surrounding small towns on hiring an ordinance officer.

Water also is a top issue, he said.

“I’d like to maybe get some businesses here, and I have some ideas on how to do that,” Hirt, who operated an electronics business for 10 years in Ottawa, said. “I just want to help out my town.”

Pennie Westfall

This will be Westfall’s first attempt in politics.

She said she’s attended council meetings and thinks some changes need to be made.

“They need some new faces and voices,” she said.

Westfall, who is retired, has lived in Williamsburg for 19 years with her husband, Foy.

She said she’s been involved around the community.

“I’m kind of behind the scenes a little bit,” she said.

Westfall said she couldn’t think of anything that stood out as the top issues for her.

Jenalea Myers can be e-mailed at jmyers@ottawaherald.com.