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Election roundup
Blaine Township voters soundly defeated a home rule charter that would have banned "environmentally unsustainable mining" corporate agribusiness and microchips for farm animals.
The vote was 80 percent against to 20 percent in favor, or 208 to 52.
Incumbent Republican Supervisor Scott Weiss, the only candidate on the ballot for that position, polled 106 votes, but the Washington County elections office, according to unofficial results, showed 115 write-in votes for the position.
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A study commission crafted a 134-page home rule charter over the summer with the help of the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund of Chambersburg, Franklin County.
The township also lost a case in federal court that attempted to drastically curtail mining operations.
California Borough
Democrats carried council elections for California Council for four four-year terms.
The totals are: former mayor Galvie Gardner, 419; Patsy J. Alfano, a former councilman, 499; Donna Bridges, a newcomer to politics, 400; and Councilman Jon Bittner, 503.
Republicans Mitchell Walker, 189; Nancy Conn, 182; Jon Janoski, 241; and Beth Baxter, 306. None of them is an incumbent.
The incumbent mayor, Casey Durdines, who became the youngest mayor in the borough's history when he was elected as a Republican four years ago at age 20, fought off a Democratic challenger, Councilman Walter Weld Jr., who polled 315 votes to Durdines' 479.
Canonsburg Council
In the sole contested race for borough council, totals in the two precincts of the first ward were:
Democrat Patricia Romano, 284; Democrat-Republican Mike Kazmarski, 339; and independent Stephen M. Moskal, 221.
Canton Township supervisor
A political newcomer will face off against a former supervisor in Canton Township.
John (Jack) Sheppard, who won the Republican nomination in May, defeated Washington County Democratic Chairman George W. Vitteck Jr. Sheppard had 860 votes to Vitteck's 568.
Sheppard, 69, is retired from Jessop Steel.
Vitteck, who is retired from the state Department of Transportation, also served as supervisor from 1966 to 1975.
Fallowfield Township supervisor
There was a three-way supervisors' race in Fallowfield Township for one six-year term on the board, but incumbent Donn Henderson, who ran as an independent, lost. Earl P. Sadler, a Democrat, had 430 votes while Republican Greg Wooddell polled 392. Henderson had just 174 votes.
Meanwhile, two candidates are vying for a two-year seat on the board. Robert Large, a Republican who was appointed to council last year, lost to Democrat David Ekves, who had 467 votes. Large had 445.
Houston Borough
In the mayor's race, Democrat James Stubenbordt defeated Libertarian Demo Agoris 125 to 53, but other Libertarians prevailed in a council race: Democrats Stubenbordt, 97, and David L. Schmalz, 91, Democrat-Republican Donald Gasmire, 108, and Libertarians Paula Meddings, 119, Chad M. Roberts, 118, and Seth Fosmire, 57.
North Franklin Township supervisor
Retired restaurant owner Silvio Passalacqua, a Republican, had 666 votes to retired Washington County employee Martha Ward's 307, a Democrat.
They are seeking to fill the seat now held by Don Hazlett, who was defeated by Passalacqua in the May primary.
North Strabane Township supervisors
Three candidates vied for two open seats on the North Strabane Township Board of Supervisors, and newcomer Jeff Stanley, a Republican, defeated incumbent Brian Spicer.
Here are the totals for Spicer, 838; incumbent Greg Sulc, 1,147; and Stanley, 883.
South Strabane Township supervisors
Totals for township supervisors elected to six-year terms were Democrat Sherry Walker Blackburn, 649; Republican Robert Koman, 844; and Piatt for Supervisor Daniel W. Piatt, 742.
Union Township supervisors
In Union Township, four candidates competed for two six-year terms on the board. Longtime incumbent Steve Parish Jr. had 575 votes and newcomer Andrew Tullai had 697.
thanks folks : 11/4/2009
Koman? Really? Are you kidding me? Thanks folks
Drill & mine : 11/5/2009
It's great news that people will be able to sell their coal, oil and gas in the region. It's a great message to send to Washington D.C. and OPEC that we will utilize our own sources of energy.
