Petersburgh Highway Superintendent Race Was Close

by Alex Brooks
In Petersburgh the most hotly contested race was that for Highway Superintendent. Although incumbent Highway Superintendent Ray Harrison was endorsed by both Republicans and Democrats, Independent candidate Gene Kluck made a close race of it. Harrison was re-elected by a vote of 265 to 203.
[private]Harrison said he wants to thank all the people who came out to vote for him.
Kluck said, “I’d like to thank everyone for their support. It was a very good turnout. I met a lot of great people during this campaign, and they expressed to me a lot of valid concerns about how the Highway Department is being run. It’s unfortunate that the taxpayers have to deal with a big tax increase because of overspending by the Highway Department. I hope that the Town Board will make some efforts to ensure that the Highway Department stays within its budget going forward. The Highway Superintendent should be accountable for that.”
“I have worked hard to keep this campaign on the issues, and I have not engaged in any personal attacks. But rumors about me were spread during this campaign that were completely untrue. I have dealt with these people personally, but I hope we can agree that this kind of thing should not be a part of our Town’s politics.”
Democrat Denise Jacon Church was the top vote-getter among the candidates for Town Council with 382 votes. Republican Jack Barnhill took the other seat that was up for election, with 243 votes. Democrat Neil Geary received 160 votes.
Church said, “More than half of Petersburgh’s registered voters came out to vote yesterday. That is impressive and it shows how many people do care about our Town. Congratulations to all. I would like to thank everyone who voted for me and also my family and friends for their support. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and be part of a Town Board that will be engaged and diligent in their quest to make Petersburgh be the best it can be. Much appreciation to the outgoing Town Board for all their hard work, especially the past few weeks dealing with the difficult issues of cutting the budget.”
The Eastwick Press was unable to reach Jack Barnhill for comment before press time.
Richard Snyder was elected Town Justice, running unopposed. He received 329 votes. Incumbent Supervisor Siegfried Krahforst was re-elected, garnering 386 votes. Callie Crisp was re-elected as Town Clerk with 428 votes. Emily Harrison was re-elected as Tax Collector with 388 votes.
A New Town Board
At the October 21 Town Board meeting, Town Councilman David Alderman submitted his letter of resignation, which was accepted by the Board. Since Bill Seel and Duane Goodermote had previously decided not to run for another term on the Board and Richard Snyder will have to resign his seat on the Board in order to accept the position of Town Justice, none of the four Town Councilmen will be returning to office in January. Two of these seats are filled by the election of Denise Jacon Church and Jack Barnhill. Two remain to be filled by Board appointment.[/private]