Pierceton Puts Three Democrats on Town Council
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Daniel [email protected]
The Pierceton town council will enter 2012 with all three seats occupied by democrats.
Incumbent Mandy Espinoza along with Ron Hall and Jim Bumbaugh were the top three vote getters. Bumbaugh finished with 102 votes (23.94 percent) while Espinoza had 96 (22.70) and Hall had 94 (22.07).
Current board member Jerry Kreger (R) finished fifth while Carus Shafer finished fourth with 64 and 70 votes respectively.
Pierceton Clerk Treasurer Janet Castle (D) also won and ran unopposed.
Espinoza said he was pleased to see an all-democrat town council.
Espinoza has been on the town board since 2002.
“The democrats stepped out,” said Espinoza. “We’re going to try to make things better for people. We’re not here to make a name for ourselves. We’re here to help the people.”
Hall, who previously served on the town council in the 1980s and ’90s, said he felt compelled to run again.
“Pierceton needs a change,” said Hall. “I’m very honored and proud that they have elected me. I will do my best to serve them they way they need served.”
Bumbaugh, who also serves as a town police officer in Pierceton, said he was pleasantly surprised with the voter turnout in Pierceton.
A total of 426 votes were cast in the Pierceton election.
“It’s a pleasant surprise. Just appreciate everyone here in Pierceton who saw a need to make a change in the town council,” said Bumbaugh.
Bumbaugh also addressed concerns about any conflicts of interest regarding his job and being on the council.
“I knew that was going to be a concern for some people,” said Bumbaugh. “Whenever there is decisions to be made in department I’m employed. I’ll participate in discussion. But I’ll step aside and let other council members make decisions.”
Bumbaugh will also have to negotiate his second-shift job with a monthly meeting that takes place at 6 p.m.
“Its something I’m going to have to discuss with other council members. It’s about ensuring I still meet my requirements as an employee as well as a town council member,” said Bumbaugh.
Bumbaugh ran for county sheriff as a democrat in 2006.
In Claypool, incumbent Don Miller (R) won with 93 votes (34.44 percent) while Niki Miller (D) was second and earned 75 votes and Thomas Burnworth (D) earned 74.
Niki Miller previously served on the board and is a office administrator at Louis Dreyfus.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to know I won,” said Niki Miller.
Miller also stated she will work hard for the town.
Don Miller said it was important for the town to improve its infrastructure and he hoped that the town could attract more commercial ventures into Claypool and noted that the new Claypool Elementary has been a benefit to the town.
He also said it was important for the town to finish its street projects.
Don Miller has been on the board since 1994.
Miccah Shepherd (L) won the clerk treasurer’s race over Paul Berkey (R) and Tricia Marino. Shepherd won with 42 votes (43.75 percent).
“I’m really looking to lean on the other people who won and learn from them,” said Shepherd. “And I’m looking forward to help get the town back on track.”
Silver Lake lost one incumbent on its board Tuesday.
Incumbent Chad Miner (R) won with the most votes, 110 and 26.57 percent of the vote.
Gale Owens (D) was also re-elected with 98 votes (23.67 percent).
Incumbent Linda Baker (R) lost by three votes to Phillip Shalley (R) 75 to 72.
Silver Lake also elected Tonya L. Conley as its clerk treasurer. Conley defeated Angel M. McGlennen 106 to 36.[[In-content Ad]]
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The Pierceton town council will enter 2012 with all three seats occupied by democrats.
Incumbent Mandy Espinoza along with Ron Hall and Jim Bumbaugh were the top three vote getters. Bumbaugh finished with 102 votes (23.94 percent) while Espinoza had 96 (22.70) and Hall had 94 (22.07).
Current board member Jerry Kreger (R) finished fifth while Carus Shafer finished fourth with 64 and 70 votes respectively.
Pierceton Clerk Treasurer Janet Castle (D) also won and ran unopposed.
Espinoza said he was pleased to see an all-democrat town council.
Espinoza has been on the town board since 2002.
“The democrats stepped out,” said Espinoza. “We’re going to try to make things better for people. We’re not here to make a name for ourselves. We’re here to help the people.”
Hall, who previously served on the town council in the 1980s and ’90s, said he felt compelled to run again.
“Pierceton needs a change,” said Hall. “I’m very honored and proud that they have elected me. I will do my best to serve them they way they need served.”
Bumbaugh, who also serves as a town police officer in Pierceton, said he was pleasantly surprised with the voter turnout in Pierceton.
A total of 426 votes were cast in the Pierceton election.
“It’s a pleasant surprise. Just appreciate everyone here in Pierceton who saw a need to make a change in the town council,” said Bumbaugh.
Bumbaugh also addressed concerns about any conflicts of interest regarding his job and being on the council.
“I knew that was going to be a concern for some people,” said Bumbaugh. “Whenever there is decisions to be made in department I’m employed. I’ll participate in discussion. But I’ll step aside and let other council members make decisions.”
Bumbaugh will also have to negotiate his second-shift job with a monthly meeting that takes place at 6 p.m.
“Its something I’m going to have to discuss with other council members. It’s about ensuring I still meet my requirements as an employee as well as a town council member,” said Bumbaugh.
Bumbaugh ran for county sheriff as a democrat in 2006.
In Claypool, incumbent Don Miller (R) won with 93 votes (34.44 percent) while Niki Miller (D) was second and earned 75 votes and Thomas Burnworth (D) earned 74.
Niki Miller previously served on the board and is a office administrator at Louis Dreyfus.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to know I won,” said Niki Miller.
Miller also stated she will work hard for the town.
Don Miller said it was important for the town to improve its infrastructure and he hoped that the town could attract more commercial ventures into Claypool and noted that the new Claypool Elementary has been a benefit to the town.
He also said it was important for the town to finish its street projects.
Don Miller has been on the board since 1994.
Miccah Shepherd (L) won the clerk treasurer’s race over Paul Berkey (R) and Tricia Marino. Shepherd won with 42 votes (43.75 percent).
“I’m really looking to lean on the other people who won and learn from them,” said Shepherd. “And I’m looking forward to help get the town back on track.”
Silver Lake lost one incumbent on its board Tuesday.
Incumbent Chad Miner (R) won with the most votes, 110 and 26.57 percent of the vote.
Gale Owens (D) was also re-elected with 98 votes (23.67 percent).
Incumbent Linda Baker (R) lost by three votes to Phillip Shalley (R) 75 to 72.
Silver Lake also elected Tonya L. Conley as its clerk treasurer. Conley defeated Angel M. McGlennen 106 to 36.[[In-content Ad]]
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