Washington County canvass board concludes its task
No one filed as a candidate for several school board seats across Washington County. In some cases, write-in candidates appeared to have won and, where vacancies remain, it will be up to the school board to appoint.
Washington County Assistant Elections Director Melanie Ostrander said that barring any court challenges Monday, the results tabulated by the canvass board would be circulated among the county commissioners, who serve as members of the election board during years in which they are not running. The commissioners’ signatures certify the results of the election.
One write-in candidate received enough votes for each of two seats in the Avella School District.
The Washington County elections office was waiting Monday to hear from Melissa Dryer, who, along with Sharon Hixenbaugh, were the two top vote-getters in the Hopewell-West Middletown Region 2, where two candidates were to be elected to four-year terms.
Dryer had 63 votes and Hixenbaugh had 49.
Dryer also received 29 write-in votes for a two-year term, but a person elected to two seats can serve in only one position.
The seat Dryer rejects will have to be filled by an appointee.
In a similar situation, Ringgold School Board will choose a representative for the seat not filled by Larry Mauro, who won both an at-large and regional four-year seats. Unlike Avella, Mauro’s name appeared on the ballot.
The four-year term in Region 1 includes Donora and Carroll Township precincts 1, 3 and 4.
In the neighboring Burgettstown School District, no one filed for a two-year term to represent Burgettstown Borough and the second, fourth and seventh precincts of Smith Township. Kevin Kuzior received 96 write-in votes.
Canon-McMillan School District saw one candidate file for the region that includes all but one Canonsburg precinct. Mary E. Kline garnered 733 votes, according to unofficial results. Two were to be elected, and write-in Scott McClain received a dozen votes.
In Charleroi School District, Renata Powell received six write-in votes for an at-large two-year term.
In McGuffey School District, Susan Holmes had 184 write-in votes for a two-year term representing Blaine and Donegal townships and Claysville.
School boards will be reorganizing next week, and candidates who appear to have been elected as write-ins will have to notify the elections office if they intend to serve and complete related paperwork.
Write-in candidacies also resulted in some tie votes in three Mon Valley municipalities.
On Allenport council, Stephen Lucinski and Monica R. Giffin, who were on the ballot, were elected, as was write-in candidate Renee Zdravecky. But James Griffin and Mickey Rondell each received 24 votes for the fourth seat.
No candidate filed for East Bethlehem Township second ward commissioner, where write-in candidates John Keys and Richard Queen each received five votes.
And in Stockdale Borough, four candidates were to be elected to four-year seats on council. Lou and Bill Furlong’s names appeared on the ballot, and James Gregg received three write-in votes.
There was a three-way tie among John Martin, Larry Ridgway and ReneeLyn Corley, who each received a single vote.
The Washington County elections office breaks ties by holding a drawing among the candidates before municipalities reorganize in January.