Several incumbents in cities across Denton County were defeated in bids for re-election in elections that pushed voter turnout to levels not seen in recent years.
Voters generally approved renewal of several sales tax proposals, however, in several towns across the area.
In Bartonville, which has been without a mayor since late last year and where nearly 39 percent of voters cast ballots, Bill Scherer won soundly with more than 65 percent of the vote over Doug Tobe, in complete but unofficial returns. Two incumbent council members — Gary A. Marco in Place 4 and Norma Harrington in Place 2 — lost to challengers.
And in Oak Point, where more than 27 percent of voters cast ballots, incumbent Colleen Cameron was ousted in favor of former council member Judith Camp, while incumbents Lynn Harpold and Keith Palmer were re-elected.
Frank Phillips, Denton County elections administrator, said turnout was unusually high.
“It’s almost unheard of in city elections,” he said late Saturday. “The turnout in some of the towns was phenomenal and the largest I have seen since I have been here.”
Here is a summary of some of the local municipal elections with complete but unofficial returns.
Argyle
In Place 1, council member Joey Hasty, 38, ran unopposed.
In Place 3, incumbent Joan Delashaw, 77, was defeated by engineer Eric Lamon, 55, who took in nearly 59 percent of the vote.
In Place 5, incumbent Marla Hawkesworth, 41, easily won with more the 56 percent of the vote over challenger, John Tutini, 64, a pilot.
Aubrey
Place 1 incumbent Deborah Goin narrowly beat out challenger Chris Rich, by taking more than 51 percent of the vote.
In the open Place 2 seat, Chris Huber narrowly took home the victory, edging out nearly 50.1 percent of the vote over Wayne Green.
In Place 3, incumbent Brandy Pounds defeated challenger Sherri Wineberg with more than 54 percent of the vote in complete but unofficial returns.
And in Place 5, incumbent Jeff Perry won handily with 55 percent over challenger Brandon Stinchcomb.
A proposition to authorize the formation of a Municipal Development District and the imposition of a sales tax of one-half of 1 percent for projects within the district was passing with more than 56 percent of the votes.
Bartonville
The Bartonville Town Council was among the most competitive among the smaller cities in Denton County, with six candidates vying for two council seats and the vacant mayor’s position.
Scherer, 49, a software engineer, won easily with 65 percent of the vote over Tobe, 58, a certified public accountant and businessman.
“It was a very contentious race and I appreciate them [the voters] for seeing the facts,” Scherer said shortly after his win. “I thank everyone for entrusting confidence in me to help the town move forward.”
In Place 2, Jaclyn Carrington, 59, defeated incumbent Norma Harrington in a three-way race. Carrington drew nearly 56 percent of the vote compared to Harrington’s nearly 40.1 percent. Jason Small, 33, a firefighter, pulled out of the race early on but still drew more than 3 percent.
In Place 4, incumbent Gary A. Marco, 74, a retiree, was defeated by challenger Betty Medlock, 59, a publications director who garnered more than 51 percent of the votes.
Voters overwhelmingly approved a proposition to reauthorize the local sales and use tax of one-fourth of one percent to continue providing revenue for street maintenance and repair, with nearly 84 percent approval.
Corinth
Council races in Corinth were unopposed this year but voters overwhelmingly approved continuation of the Crime Control and Prevention District and its sales tax. The proposed passed with more than 76 percent approval.
Dish
One council race was uncontested but voters were asked to decide on three separate sales taxes.
Voters nixed proposition 1, a one percent sales tax for general revenue and Proposition 3, which would have created a sales tax of one-half of 1 percent for economic development. Voters were split on proposition 2, a proposal to adopt a sales tax of one-fourth of 1 percent for street repair and maintenance.
Voting turnout was extremely light — only 4 voters cast ballots.
Krum
In a four-person race for Place 1, Nick Vincent won easily with more than 54 percent of the votes over incumbent Paul Meine and candidates Canda Ponthieu-Doyle and Travis Giguere. Meine had nearly 15 percent of the vote, Giguere had more than 21 percent and Ponthieu-Doyle had more than 9 percent.
In Place 3, Justin Diviney won the race with 56 percent of the vote over Jeremiah Hale, a state trooper who had said previously that he would resign if he won because it conflicts with his job.
In Place 5, Cody Carter won with 60 percent of the votes, beating incumbent Christine Rodriguez. Carter has said he will resign if elected because he, too, is a state trooper and the election would conflict with his job.
Lake Cities Municipal Authority board
Christopher A. Hoppe was uncontested for the Place 1 seat on the Lake Cities Municipal Authority board.
David J. Shershen won the Place 2 spot on the board with more than 48 percent of the vote, beating John S. Green, with nearly 32 percent, and Robert Jackson Jr., with nearly 20 percent.
Oak Point
The town of Oak Point had seven candidates vying for three at-large council positions.
Winning the top three seats were incumbents Lynn Harpold, 44, Keith Palmer, 50, and Judith Camp, 70. Harpold had nearly 21 percent of the vote; Palmer had nearly 20 percent and Camp drew just over 19 percent.
Incumbent Colleen Cameron, who drew only 8 percent of the vote, lost her bid for re-election. Also trailing were Donald Lindemann, 66, with 15 percent; Kimberlyn “Kim” O’Brien, 53, with 8 percent; and Brian Boltz, 56, with 8 percent.
Voters in Oak Point also approved a proposition on the ballot to reauthorize a sales tax of one-fourth of 1 percent for street repairs and maintenance, with more than 82 percent of the votes in support of the proposal.
Pilot Point
Shea Patterson was elected as mayor without opposition.
In the Place 4 race, Elise Rumbo, 37, an inspector, narrowly edged past Duane Strayhorn, 53, a machine operator. Rumbo had 50.4 percent of the vote.
In the Place 1 race, Paul Young, 51, a firefighter, was uncontested, as was firefighter C.J. Hillard, 25, in Place 6.
Sanger
Out of three seats up for re-election, Sanger’s only contested race was for Place 2.
Incumbent Gary Bilyeu led the pack with nearly 49 percent of the vote, in complete but unofficial returns. Joe Falls drew 26 percent of the vote and Chris Prock was close behind with 25 percent.
Mayor Thomas Muir and Place 4 council member Allen Chick were not challenged in their bids for re-election.
MEGAN GRAY can be reached at 940-566-6885 and via Twitter at @MGrayNews.
