(10/15) Voters in Carroll Valley and Fairfield Boroughs, and in Hamiltonban and Liberty Townships will be headed to polls on Nov. 7 to fill seats on local governing bodies.
The Borough is governed by a seven-member council, of which four 4-year council seats and one 2-year seat are up for election (The two-year seat was temporarily filled by Kari Buterbaugh due to the resignation of Robert Verderaime). Those running for the 4-year seats include John Schubring, Bruce Carr, L. Michael Wight, and Cody Gilbert. Catherine Schubring and Sarah Laird are running for the 2-year seat.
Fairfield is governed by a seven-member council. of which four 4-year seats are up for election. Up for re-election on the Fairfield ballot are incumbents Sarah Thomas, Patricia Smith, and Phyllis Gilbert. While there are four seats available, as of press time, there are only three candidates running on the ballot, leaving options for write-ins available.
Following the passing of Fairfield Council member Dean Thomas, Dennis Bucher was appointed to fill the vacancy and will serve through the end of 2023. The remainder of the 2-year term will then be filled by appointment by the council in January. Residents interested in serving their community may petition the council to be considered for appointment.
Hamiltonban Township is governed by a five-member Board of Supervisors, of which two 4-year seats are up for election this year. Ryan Picarelli and Brad Martin are the only two on the ballot which means unless a write in candidate garners more votes then them, the pair will be automatically elected.
Liberty Township is governed by three supervisors, of which one seat up, currently occupied by Wlaker Barlow is up for election. Barlow is the only candidate on the ballot, which means unless a write in candidate garners more votes than him, he will be automatically elected.
Also on the ballot this year are five seats on the Fairfield Area School District. The District covers the areas of Carroll Valley, Fairfield, Hamiltonban and Liberty and is governed by a nine-member school board.
School Board members seeking re-election include Jennifer Holz, Kelly Christiano, Lashay Kalathas; Lauren Clark and Lisa Sturges. As of the most recent official municipal nomination sample ballot, Erica Bollinger. James Fisher and Melissa Kearchner are also now in the running as well. Most of the candidates have cross-filed, meaning they are listed on both the Democratic and Republican ballots.
Residents will also be tasked with selecting three County Commissioners. Incumbents Marty Qually, Randy Phiel, and Jim Martin are all seeking reelection; newcomer Robert Smith is also running. Voters will vote for two, and the top three will be elected.
Polls are open for in-person voting Nov. 7 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters in line at the time of polls closing will be allowed to vote. Mail in ballots must be received in the Elections Office by 8 p.m. election day or they will not be counted. Sample ballots for all municipalities are available at adamscountypa.gov.
