Local Issues and Election Results

11/4/2009 8:33:00 AM
Four selected to serve on Lynchburg council
Wilbanks, Vilvens, Hastings, West elected
By MEREDITH CREEK
Staff Writer

Four seats on the Lynchburg Village Council will be filled by Christine Wilbanks, Denise Vilvens, Carolyn Hastings and Sandy West, according to unofficial results released Tuesday night by the Highland County Board of Elections.

With six candidates vying for the open positions, it was Wilbanks who unofficially captured the most votes with 358. Vilvens followed with 335 votes, Hastings with 320 votes and West with 306.

Former Lynchburg Mayor Terry Moore received 121 votes and 100 votes went Harold Braley, who served eight years as council president and a total of 10 years on council.

Wilbanks was appointed to council less than two months ago and after being elected, said she is looking forward to a successful four years.

She is a 1987 graduate of East Clinton High School who is "accustomed to breaking really large projects down into smaller pieces to make progress."

The Lynchburg police levy, which unofficial results showed Tuesday had passed, was an area Wilbanks said was of utmost importance for the village. She hopes to have an effect on changing infrastructure to make the village more appealing to potential homeowners and businesses.




Wilbanks has worked at ABX for 18 years, currently serving as manager of flight support.

Growing up in Lynchburg and returning to the area more than a year ago, Vilvens feels she is a good "people person and communicator who will work hard for the people."

She said the current state of the local economy is an obvious issue and complimented Lynchburg Mayor Jeremy Shaffer for his effort to help turn things around.

"I think Jeremy is a good leader who needs people who will work hard for him," Vilvens said.

Currently a teacher in Cincinnati, Vilvens is a 1985 L-C graduate who has also worked in administration. Her children, Curtis and Carli, are both students in the L-C school district.

Hastings told The Times-Gazette this was her first time running for a political office. Following Tuesday's unofficial results, which did not include provisional ballots left uncounted at press time, she said she appreciates the confidence the community has placed in her.

"The other winning candidates and I have worked like a team to get the police levy passed," Hastings said. "I know that teamwork will be evident on council as well. I'm very thankful."

Hastings grew up in Fort Wayne, Ind., graduating in 1959 from New Haven High School. She obtained a bachelor's degree in home economics and has spent many years tutoring disabled children, teaching adults to read, and helping individuals receive their GEDs through Southern State Community College.

Hastings and her husband, Don, have five children, Annette, Greg, Marissa, Sarah and Becky.

Calls placed Tuesday to Sandy West were not immediately returned.


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11/4/2009 8:17:00 AM
Most local issues OK'd
Area fire, police levies approved by voters
By JEFF GILLILAND
Assistant Editor

Almost all issues presented to voters in Highland County passed last night, according to unofficial general election results from the Highland County Board of Elections.

The results do not include provisional ballots which had not been counted at press time.

The 5.5-mill property tax levy to create the new Paint Creek Joint EMS/Fire District in the city of Greenfield, Madison Township in Highland County and Buckskin and Paint townships in Ross County passed overwhelming with 1,680 votes cast for it and 773 votes against it.

The new fire district will eliminate the current Greenfield Fire Department and Greenfield Area Life Squad.

The village of Lynchburg's five-year, 5-mill police levy passed 293-188.

Brushcreek Township's five-year, 1-mill cemetery maintenance levy passed 247-145.

Marshall Township's five-year, 2-mill fire levy passed 238-108.

New Market Township's five-year, 1-mill replacement fire levy passed 400-208.

Paint Township's five-year, 1-mill fire levy passed 1,008-998.

Penn Township's renewal of a five-year, 1.8-mill fire levy passed 341-137.

Washington Township's five-year, 0.6-mill fire levy passed 256-129.

The Marathon gas station in Buford passed a request for a liquor license to sell alcohol between the hours of 10 a.m. and midnight 283-203, and also for Sunday sales 258-228.
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