Unofficial May 2 election results announced
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
LAKE COUNTY – The Lake County Election office has collected the ballots for the May 2 mail-in election and posted unofficial results on Wednesday, May 3, for schools, fire departments, irrigation districts, a library, and a public safety mill levy. Official results will be posted after the votes are canvassed on May 9.
In Ronan, the Public Safety Mill Levy votes total 163 for it and 159 against it. The town needs the levy funds to accept the Cops Hiring Grant that requires the community to provide matching funds. It will raise the taxes on a home with a market value of $100,000 by $74.25 each year.
The grant is from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Community Orientated Policing Services for $124,311. It allows the town to hire an additional police officer. The levy also provides funding for police equipment. As of Wednesday, the levy was up by four votes. “We don’t expect much to change,” said Kathie Newgard, Lake County election administrator.
Ronan Police Chief Ken Weaver said once the votes are official, he will be able to accept the Cops Hiring Grant if nothing changes with the count. The grant needs to be put on the agenda at the next Ronan City Council meeting for a vote. If the council votes to accept the grant, the police department can begin the hiring process for an additional police officer.
“I want to thank the people of Ronan for their support,” Chief Weaver said. “I am happy people got out and exercised their right to vote, and in this election, every vote counts.”
Three seats were open in the election for the Flathead Joint Board of Control irrigation districts. In the Flathead District, Paul Guenzler retains his seat after receiving 36,188 votes to David Passieri’s 21,730. In the Jocko District, Blaine S. Edwards won with 2,512 votes to Jennifer Kaplan’s 1,185. In the Mission District, Gene Posivio retains his seat with 5,941 votes to Roy L. Anderson’s 2,415.
The North Lake County Public Library trustee votes were counted with Marget “Maggie” Newman receiving 1,256; Brooke Wegner 1,041; Allen Bone 809; Danielle Tyler 765; and Clint Hoxie 710. Three board positions were up for election with top three in votes receiving seats.
In the Polson Rural Fire District for two members, Glen R. Wunderlich received 663 votes; Ron Roberts 474; and Patrick Gembala 349.
In the Ronan School District trustee election for one member, Jesse Lytton received 132 votes; Martin Charlo 66; and Andrew Holmlund 35.
In the Polson School District trustee election for two members, Chanel Lake received 1,280 votes; Caroline McDonald 1,045 votes; and Rosemary Hickey 749.
In Charlo, three trustees were voted on with Duane Allen Weible receiving 231 votes; Daniel Cahoon 217; LaDonna Fryberger 167; Jodie L. J. Buxbaum 118; Tonya Truman 115; Dion Carey 109 votes; and Tracy Olsen 106.
Newgard said the next election is the May 25 Special Election to seat a Montana member of the U.S. House of Representatives. The election will be at the polls, but for those voting with an absentee ballot, Newgard reminds people that only one ballot can go in the voting envelope.
“We have people, like a husband and wife, send two ballots in one envelope to save on the stamp, but we can’t count it,” she said. “We can only count it if there is one vote per envelope.”
