Low turnout marks local elections

Less than 20 percent of registered voters in Donley County cast ballots in during elections held by several local governments last Saturday.

In the only county-wide election, 484 people – or 19.7 percent of all possible voters – went to the polls and re-elected all three incumbents to the Clarendon College Board of Regents.

Susie Shields led all candidates with 316 votes. Ruth Robinson received 294, and Chuck Deyhle garnered 251. Also running were Glenda Hawkins 198, Jerry Gage 186, and Cindy Myers 95.

The Hedley School District had the largest percentage turnout with 120 people or 35.4 percent of registered voters. Incumbent James Edward Potts and former board member Bonnie Walsh Brown were elected with 84 and 66 votes respectively. Incumbent Troy Monroe was defeated, receiving 54 votes, and incumbent Karen Watt, running unopposed for an unexpired term, had 65.

Voters in the City of Hedley had the next highest turnout with 34.4 percent or 96 people. Mayor Bruce Howard was defeated by challenger Dusty D. Wilkinson, 62-32. Incumbent Aldermen Leon Ward Tonya Metcalf were re-elected with 60 and 54 votes each over David Wells 52, and Travis Thomas 39. Lonnie Roby was elected to an unexpired term with 40.

Sixty-nine people or 30.9 percent of voters went to the polls in Howardwick to re-elect Alderman Tanis McMorries with 61 votes and also elected Johnny Hubbard and Tim Gallagher with 51 votes each. Incumbent Rod Donaldson was defeated, receiving only 39 votes.

The City of Clarendon had 281 ballots cast – or a 22.7 percent turnout. Jeremy Powell was elected and received the most votes with 159. Incumbents Will Thompson and Kyle Davis were re-elected with 154 and 134 each. Also running were Jeff King 113, John Lockhart 111, Terry Noble 96, and Danny Bennett 28.

The lowest percentage turnout was in the Clarendon School District where 375 people, representing 17.9 percent of voters, cast ballots and re-elected three incumbents Jim Shelton 336, Robin Ellis 294, and Marvin Thompson 280. Challenger Linda Rowland received 116.