Voters make their choices known in village elections

Voters make their choices known in village elections

Voters in the villages of Bergen, Churchville, Hilton and Holley came out on March 21 to make their choices for village mayors and trustees.

In the uncontested races in Bergen, Mayor Wayne Bailey received 53 votes in his bid for re-election to a four year term. Trustees Virginia Adams and Anna Marie Barclay, who also ran unopposed for re-election to their four year seats, received 49 and 51 votes, respectively.

Voters in the Village of Churchville elected Donald G. Suter to the position of trustee. He received 87 votes in his bid for the position to which he was appointed in September following the death of former deputy mayor Dean Arlidge.

In a contested mayoral race in Hilton, Larry Gursslin garnered 380 votes against opponent James Gates, who received 184. Trustee Joseph Lee received 375 votes, newcomer Larry Speer received 361 in their bids for trustee seats. They defeated Chad Kyler, who garnered 176 votes.

"I'm pleased with the results," Gursslin said of his election win. "In respect to Mr. Gates, I thought it would be a very close election. Jim is well known and respected in the community. I think my win was a matter of my getting out in the community and meeting with people."

Gursslin said he didn't have any pet projects that he would be jumping into and said he is aware of Mayor Carter's vision for the village. "I don't have any major project I'm looking to implement this year but I did campaign on trying to promote additional, and better communications, with the planning and zoning boards and with the Town of Parma. It doesn't cost us anything but will add to improved and enhanced communications between the two municipalities."

Gursslin said he is concerned with the peripheral growth around the village and wants to see that the village and the town mutually concur on growth and development.

Trustee John Kenney, Jr. was successful in his bid for election to the mayoral post in the Village of Holley, defeating Trustee Thomas O'Neill. Kenney received 203 votes, O'Neill, 150. Kenney will serve a two year term.

Voters re-elected incumbent trustees Ross Gaylord and John Heise. They defeated newcomer Mark Porter. Gaylord received 225 votes, Heise, 182 and Porter, 164.