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Friday, April 10, 2009 11:13 PM

Write-in changes Williamsburg race

A write-in campaign for Ralph Stover Jr. worked, earning him a return to the Williamsburg City Council.

Write-in votes for Stover totaled 36, the same number as the highest vote getter, Dennis Norton, Franklin County Clerk Shari Perry said following a canvass of results Friday. The write-in votes pushed the third-place finisher out of a seat on the council.

The Williamsburg council race was the only change to results announced after Tuesday’s election.

Gene Hirt received 33 votes, and Pennie Westfall received 24 votes, which meant Stover’s selection bumped Westfall from the council.

A home phone number for Westfall had been disconnected.

Stover, a two-term Williamsburg City Council member, said he had intended to run for re-election, but his work schedule caused him to miss getting the paperwork to do so.

“I went around and talked to a lot of people,” he said of his campaign.

Stover said he was very surprised and pleased to hear he won a seat back on the council and said he planned to continue working on water and street issues, as well as supporting the library.

In other cities, write-in votes decided mayors and city council members.

Lane Mayor Bill Chester was re-elected as mayor with 30 votes, and Betty McCale was chosen to join the council with 12 votes.

Rob Jamison was selected to the Princeton City Council with 9 votes, and Sean Lickteig elected to the Rantoul City Council with 11 votes.

Perry said Lickteig also ran for and was elected as mayor, which means he’ll have to choose which position he wants. If he selects the mayor’s position, he and council members will appoint an individual to the council spot.

The next highest write-in vote getter for Rantoul was Bob Harris with 10 votes.

Two of the closest races — Ottawa School Board and Pomona City Council — saw no change with write-in votes, Perry said. In Ottawa, Brandon Jones had edged out Jeanette Lowry with four votes, and Joann Hancock upset Pomona Mayor Richard Adler by five votes.

Perry said Jones and Lowry each received one write-in vote, and there were no write-ins for Pomona.

Candidates have until Monday to contest results and request a recount.

“I haven’t had any inquiries about it,” Perry said.

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Write-in changes Williamsburg race

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article | Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article |
Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.