Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The people have spoken.
The Barbee Lakes Quality Network swept the election of directors for the Barbee Lakes Conservancy District by a 2-1 margin on Saturday.
"We're not out to dissolve the conservancy district," said Barry Hecker, new director for area four.
Hecker said the board is willing to work and do studies and research to get to a reasonable solution to the problems the district faces.
"We're definitely pleased with the outcome," said Scott Fox, new director for area three. Fox said the board would drop plans for a large system and, instead, begin to look into a smaller system just for the areas that need it.
The Quality Network, before the election, tried to inform conservancy district residents about the board's plans, sending out at least five newsletters. According to Hecker, the board will continue to keep people informed on the status of the district.
"The people that received the information wanted a change," Fox said.
And that's what they got.
Barton Brugh took the position for area two with 621 votes, winning out over Richard Shipley, who had 322 votes.
For area three, Scott Fox defeated Charles Stevens 614 to 338.
Barry Hecker had 633 votes, placing him well above Arnold Patten, who only received 324 votes for the area four directorship.
And Donald Harris, with 621 votes, won out over Charles Ploszek, who had 333 votes, for area five.
Jack Maul remains the fifth director, for area one, and has one year left on his term.
The next district meeting, to be held March 10 at 6:30 p.m. in the Barbee Conservation Club, will be used to elect board officers.
The winners were sworn in after the election results were finalized.
"We'd like to thank everybody that helped us," said Hecker, adding, "the will of the people has spoken."
There were 3,806 voters who voted, either in person or by absentee ballot.
