Apr 10, 2008

Fewer than 6˝ percent of the registered voters in Douglas County went to the polls on Tuesday, but even with the slight turnout, the results count all the same. There were no contested races in the City of Ava where West Ward Alderman Judy Lovan and East Ward Alderman Ric Engelhardt were returned to office without opposition. However, there were several contested races for board positions in the county’s school districts, which should have caused a greater concern for voters. Five candidates were seeking election to three regular board seats in the Ava R-1 School District. Jeffory Davis, an incumbent board member elected last year to complete an unexpired term, was the top vote-getter in the race with 318 votes. Also elected were Bill Philpott, with 255 votes, and Randy Spurlock, with 249 votes. Johnny Burkdoll received 215 votes and Walter Walters received 85 votes. Five candidates were also seeking election to three regular, 3-year positions in the Plainview R-8 School District, plus a fourth seat was filled for a 1-year term. Elected to the 3-year terms on the board were Kim Hathcock with 72 votes, Mandy Whitaker-Lehman, with 50 votes, and Larry A. Tidwell, with 48 votes. Stan Humbyrd was unopposed for a 1-year term and received 78 votes. Only one candidate was on the ballot in the Skyline R-2 School District where three positions were up for grabs. Miranda Potter, whose name was on the ballot, received 44 votes. The other two positions were filled by write-in vote, with W. Roy Roworth receiving 34 votes and Travis Shearer receiving 26 votes. Others receiving write-in votes were Michael Dixon 14, Wayne Griswold 14; Susan Griswold 11; Andy Boyd 7; Aloma Bulfer 4, Mark Blakey 4, James Linder 3, Mike Malin 2 and William Griswold 1. Jim Brown, of Squires, was returned to the Ava Area Ambulance District in District #3 by write-in vote. Only voters in Walls, Springcreek and Campbell townships voted in that election. Brown was elected with seven votes. Others receiving one write-in vote apiece were Kim Hathcock, Loy Short, David Norman, Doran Coberly, Jim Irby, Jeffory Davis, Rocky Tabor, Johnny L. Burkdoll, and Rolla Swofford. To be a viable candidate for the position, the individual would have to live within the designated area of that district. Residents in the northwest corner of Douglas County were given the opportunity to vote for a director for the Southern Webster County Fire Protection District. Corey Mitchell received three votes and Jeff Rogers received one vote in Douglas County. Other school elections which had voters in Douglas County included: Willow Springs R-4 Gene Corman 12 Philip A. Chafin 2 Jim Combs 12 Dan Sherbo 7 David Grant 9 Tina Bridwell 8 Mtn. Grove R-3 Mark Hyde 9 Tom Coats 9 Missy Dugger 10 James Taylor 2