(11/6) On November 5, residents all across southern Adams County showed up to their township offices to cast their votes to fill local seats. Across the board, Liberty Township, Carroll Valley Borough and Hamiltonban Township seemed to favor Republican candidates this year. Some candidates were re-elected, while some new faces were voted in.

The Carroll Valley Borough Council had four four-year positions open this year. The positions to be filled were the seats occupied by Jared Huster, Bruce Carr, Sarah Skoczen and Beth Cool. Bruce Carr and Beth Cool were running for re-election, and Sarah Skoczen was running as a write-in candidate. Newcomer, Jessica Kraft won the majority of votes, earning 389 votes (20.75%). Other newcomers, John H. Schubring and Michael Wight were also voted in with 295 (15.73%) votes and 299 (15.95%) votes respectively. Bruce Carr was the only previous member re-elected to his seat earning 330 votes (17.60%). The total number of votes cast in Carroll Valley was 1,875 this election season.

In Liberty Township, one seat for Township Supervisor was up for election. This seat was occupied by John Bostek, who did not run for re-election this year. A single candidate, Robert Keilholtz, ran uncontested for the position and garnered 184 of the 196 total votes cast. Supervisors are elected for six-year terms in Liberty Township. This year’s election proved to be another low year in terms of voter turnout, matching the year 2013 when only 197 votes were cast.

In Hamiltonban Township, two Supervisor seats were up for election; held by Supervisor Eddie Deardorf and Luann Dilly. Dilly chose not to run for re-election this year, but Deardorf, on the other hand, ran for re-election of his position against newcomer James Grinder. Past Supervisor, Coleen Reamer, ran as a write-in candidate this year. All candidates were vying for the six-year term seats as Supervisor. Deardorf received the highest number of votes, 240 (42.25 %) and Grinder pulled 125 votes (22.01%). Reamer was elected to the second seat, winning 203 votes as a write-in. A total of 568 votes were cast this year in Hamiltonban Township.

In regards to the Fairfield Area School District, seven positions on the school board were up for election. These seats were held by: Greg Murray, Rebecca Bequette, Jennifer Holz, Joshua Laird, Earl Shutt, Ian Strahler and Lionel Whitcomb. All ran for re-election except Ian Strahler and Lionel Whitcomb. Newcomers Lauren Clark and Lashay Kalathas ran for election as well. Bequette won the majority of votes, with 968 (21.69%), while Holz received 952 votes (21.34%). Newcomers Clark received 941 votes (21.09%) and Kalathas received 630 votes (14.12%). Murray was also re-elected this year, garnering 915 votes (20.51%). The above members will serve four-year terms on the school board. A total of 4,462 votes were cast.

In addition to the four-year terms, Fairfield Area School District’s School Board also gives the opportunity for members to serve for two-year terms. Josh Laird and Earl Shutt were both re-elected, uncontested for their positions this year. Laird received 1,008 votes (62.69%) while Shutt received 582 votes (36.19%). A total of 1,608 votes were cast.