Final canvass solidifies election results

The second canvass round made official several results in this month’s city/school elections for various races around Union County. Additionally, Union County sealed votes for surrounding counties’ races in which the election area overlaps into Union County.

Creston’s city council races saw Jocelyn Blazek elected for Ward 1, Jennifer Worisek for Ward 3, Jason Cook for Ward 5 and Toby Henry for the at-large seat. Worisek won unopposed. Blazek won her seat against Korey Sanchez by 16 votes, Cook over Drake by 18 and Henry over Cozad by 693.

Creston’s school board race, which totaled 4,238 total votes, saw Kathy Thorne Ralston, MaKenzi Vonk and Amanda Mohr elected to at-large positions. Thorne Ralston and Vonk join the school board for their first years; Mohr returns to her incumbent seat. Incumbent Galen Zumbach will not return to his seat.

Afton’s race for mayor saw Michelle Burger return to her mayoral seat. Burger has held the seat since 2005. She won the vote by 141 to challenger Gary Clear’s 60.

The makeup of Afton’s city council remains unchanged with Jeff Burger and Kristie Nixon returning to their seats.

Arispe’s city council saw Kathy Groves, Tom Hansen and Ernie Abell voted to their positions.

East Union’s race for District 1 saw Dennis Cheers win by two votes when including votes from outside Union County. Cheers won with 35 votes and will take the spot of Adam Tallmon on the board, who currently serves as board president and received 33 votes in the city/school election.

Also in East Union, Jamie Buffington won an uncontested race for a District 5 seat with 65 votes.

Shannon City’s city council race saw Glen Hoyt Jr., Debra Brumfield and Robert Brumfield elected to at-large positions. Both Brumfields are new to their positions on the six-member council.

The mayoral race saw Terry Gilbert return to his position as mayor after receiving five votes in the election. The closest challenger was Clay Arnold with three votes. Terry Gilbert had originally vacated the seat he’d held since 2015 before the election, but will return to the position.

Cromwell elected Curt D. Angell as mayor. Angell received all 30 votes for the election. Cromwell’s city council will also see Tonya Rehmeyer, Robert Hepp, Dylan Kevin McVay, Judy Hopkins and Jocob McGehee to at-large positions.

Lorimor’s city council race saw Shauna Weithington win the office by a single vote, beating out the closest challenger Jeanette Schwabe. City council positions for the city went to Jody King, Karen Tucker and Mathew Lenhart.

Thayer voted Corey Mitchell to serve as mayor. Bridget Mitchell, Lacy Catalano, Les Vanderpluym, Rebecca Hildreth and Deana Welcher were elected to their city council.

Races for the following elections in other counties saw votes in Union County delivered:

Lenox School Director At-Large; Murray School Director At-Large; Murray School — Public Measure EN; Orient-Macksburg School Director At-Large; Southwestern Community College Director District 1; Southwestern Community College Director District 6.

In other Union County news...

For an amicus brief showing support for Shelby and Story counties, Union County will see $500 sent after the board of supervisors approved the transfer. An amicus brief is a legal document presented in court by outside parties with strong interest in the outcome.

Shelby and Story counties were both sued in 2022 by Summit Carbon Solutions, which has been seeking to build a carbon sequestration pipeline across Iowa. The Iowa State Association of Counties asked for financial assistance from other local counties for the legal fight ahead.

The two counties are filing for their zoning ordinace case to be seen by the U.S. Supreme Court; Union County, in conjunction with other counties, will show support for Shelby and Story.

Roads Superintendent Al Hysell presented two quotes for equipment the secondary roads department will use during in-house construction projects. A place compactor and flat saw will be purchased from Logan Contractors Supply, Inc for $10,815 and a power screed from Star Equipment, LTD for $3,390.