Nevada voters elect three new council members

A voter signs in at the courthouse before casting a ballot in the April 4 election.

The Nevada City Council has three new faces in the wake of yesterday's hotly contested election.

Six candidates were vying for three seats on the council. Four sought election to three-year terms and two to two-year terms.

In the race for the three-year terms, Russell Kemm, 810 votes, and Bill Gillette, 746, emerged the victors over Robin Fisher, who received 493 votes, and Brian Leonard, 432 votes.

In the race for the two-year term, filling the unexpired term of Tim Moore, who resigned, Dick Meyers emerged the victor with 638 votes over Larry Bradley's 604 votes.

Campaigns for city council seats were overshadowed by turmoil about a number of recent city issues, including the January closing of the animal shelter and a suit filed against the city manager and police chief by two police officers and the events surrounding these and other issues.

Of the election results, Gillette said, "The people have spoken. We're there to hear all concerns and represent all of the people, in spite of what some people believe. The results of the election show the mandate -- most people in the community want a change."

Gillette said that he thought the results would be a little closer, but given the results of the primary election, he wasn't surprised at the outcome. "Things don't usually change much from the primary to the (general) election."

Meyers said, "I'm glad the campaign is over. It's time to mend bridges and mend some relationships between the city and county, and I look forward to doing that and to getting to work."

In the Nevada R-5 school board race, four candidates sought election to two seats. Incumbents Dr. Warren Lovinger and Chris Ellis will retain their seats on the board handily with 1,202 votes for Lovinger and 1,203 votes for Ellis. Challengers Norlene Hillier and Sam Craig DeLaney gleaned 787 and 311 votes, respectively.

Other local races:

Bronaugh Mayor, Sherry Brown, 15 votes.

Schell City Mayor: Dale Haddix, 52; Mitchell Hillier 3; Ronald Brehm, 4.

Schell City Collector: Sharon Sanderson, 57; write-ins, 2.

Walker mayor: Phillip Martin, 24.

Bronaugh two-year alderperson: Andy Brannan, 7.

Bronaugh South Ward Alderperson: Harry Pitts, 8.

Schell City North Ward Alderman: Leonard Hawkins, 34.

Schell City South Ward Alderman Ted Thomas, 24; write-in, 1.

Sheldon North Ward Alderman: Rob Sewell, 23; John Scifers, 12.

Sheldon South Ward Alderman: Jerod Lamb, 22.

Walker two-year North Alderperson: Dorothy Kratz, 10.

Walker South Ward Alderperson: Loyd McGraw, 15.

Deerfield Town Board: Bill Smith, 9; Lawrence Bowles, 9; Wayne Sisseck, 6.

Harwood Town Board: Eva Scotten, 9; Billy Begley, 10; Marvin Rickey, 9.

Metz Town Board: Michael Hymer, 6; Patricia Hagemann, 5; write-in, 1.

Milo Town Board: Standlee Hill, 7; first write-in, 6; second write-in, 1.

Moundville Town Board: Lyman Bott, 7; David Cullison, 8.

Moundville Town Board: David Stark, 8.

Richards Town Board: (Vote for 5) Elton Fox, 10; Melvin Higgins, 17; Gerald Jones, 18; Kelli Jones, 18; Jack Winter, 10; Joe Winter, 7; five write-in candidates received one vote each.

Vernon County Ambulance District Board Members sub-district 5: write-in, 11.

Consolidated Public Water Supply District Number 1 Board Members Sub-district 1: Jeffery Parrish, 212; Mike McGarraugh, 123; write-in, 2.

Dover Special Road District: Yes, 28; No, 18.

Editor's note: Results of elections in Rich Hill, El Dorado Springs, Hume and more, including those affecting more than one county, will be printed in tomorrow's edition of the Nevada Daily Mail.