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 Retiring Bourbon County Sheriff Harold Coleman, right, and current Bourbon County Undersheriff Ron Gray congratulate each other Tuesday night after the unofficial election results were posted in the Bourbon County Courthouse. Gray discovered Tuesday that he had been elected as Bourbon County's new sheriff while Coleman learned of his successful campaign for Bourbon County Commission's District 3 seat. -- Rayma Silvers/Tribune Photo [Click to enlarge] |
The Fort Scott Tribune
Although Tuesday night's election totals are not yet official, voters brought change to the local area.
Due to recent events in the Fort Scott, the race for Bourbon County Sheriff has caused quite a stir with local voters.
Tuesday night's unofficial count showed Bourbon County Undersheriff Ron Gray sweeping the competition with 3,440 votes, and his opponent Cindy Gillispie receiving 2,045 votes.
According to Bourbon County Clerk Joanne Long, one of the most surprising outcomes in the sheriff's race was the more than 1,000 write-in votes that were cast. When asked about write-in candidate Jim Covey and if there had ever been this many write-in votes before, Long said, "Not as long as I've been here. I've been here for 16 years, and I don't recall anyone ever getting that many (write in votes)."
When asked to comment on his win, Gray said, "I'm glad it (election) is over, and I'm looking forward to the future. I want to thank (Bourbon County Sheriff Harold) Coleman for everything he has done for me, and I want to thank all my supporters."
Coleman, who recently announced his plans for retiring from law enforcement, said he is confident Gray will be able to successfully assume the responsibilities of sheriff.
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In the Bourbon County Commissioners' race, District Two candidate Jingles J.W. Endicott triumphed over Cindy Clements with a 1,979 to 745 vote, and district three candidate Marvin Creager, who received 649 votes, lost to Coleman, who received 1,065 votes.
When asked how he feels about his victory, Coleman said, "I feel good. Anytime you win an election you have to feel good. Now the work really starts. It's kind of scary," he said. "There is going to be a lot of responsibility."
Residents cast their votes in favor of Long's continuance as Bourbon County Clerk with 4,071 votes. Her opponent Jackie DeMott received 2,434 votes. Long said she is pleased that she was voted into office for another term as county clerk.
"I am relieved to have won," Long said. "I am glad the voters voted on experience. I am looking forward to continuing to work for the county. And I am looking forward to making all the changes that are inevitably going to come -- no matter who wins the big seat."
Local resident Bob Marshall secured the Kansas Senate District 13 seat with 12,859 votes. His opponent Patty Horgan received 9,123 votes.
In the Kansas House races, Bob Grant was re-elected to represent residents in District Two with 5,445 votes. His opponent Jeffrey Locke received 2,966 votes.
After receiving 4,821 votes, Shirley Palmer will continue to represent residents in District Four. Palmer's challenger Lynne Oharah received 4,209 votes.
When asked to comment on the race, Oharah offered his congratulations to Palmer for her victory.
Thank You Heather.
I was going to be her campaign manager, but Earl decided to be.
I am proud to have helped her on her campaign, along with the many people that helped.
I will not downgrade anyone, in fact: Congrats to Ron I'm sure he will do a good job. Cindy is a good deputy and has helped allot of people, no one is perfect, & you people need to stop down grading Cindy, she has done a good job at her job and has helped many.
You teach your children to treat others the way you would want to be treated. Well put your feet in her shoes for awhile! Enough is Enough
Melanie Johnson
Melanie was not Cindy's campaign manager, her husband was. Melanie and a few others (myself included) helped on her campaign. Get your facts in order before you make such an idiotic post please!
By the way.... the article wasnt even about Cindy. Im glad that the person you voted for won the position, but please stop slamming those that didnt. Its immature. Well, I guess everyone can talk big when you hide behind a username.
Heather DeAntoni
~Good pal and helper of Cindy Gillispie AND Melanie Johnson~
Thanks Katie, I also know Lynne and "discourtesy" is not a word that comes to mind. Nice to have new words thrown out from time to time. KansasKate is quick to criticize. KansasKate said: "I wonder if this time he called Shirley to concede. When I talked to her late last night, he still hadn't called." Was Lynne supposed to call Shirley at 11:00 PM. When you talked to her LATE was he to call after that? Or how about before 7:30 AM when you posted your remarks in essence saying Lynne is rude. Please don't be so critical toward Lynne, just because he did not call Shirley between 10pm Tues and 7am Wed, and clear it with you first.
Cindy Gillespie!!!! What a joke, and her campaign manager Melanie Johnson? Finally she will be gone and the county will be a much safer place. Better luck next time Post.
I am so glad RON GRAY GOT IT. THANK GOD
Way to go Ron!! Proud of you! Jim Covey you didnt do such a bad job yourself!! Way to go guys!!!
Thank you Nick, I agree. However, from someone who knows personally, my father did call her to concede. He did not do it that night, however he did contact her the next day. He left her a message of congratulations and wishing her well.
He also wished her well in the paper.
Also, knowing my father better than anyone on here, he is not at all discourteous. While I respect that everyone has their own opinion, maybe you should make sure you know the facts before you speak out about someone.
Yes, Nick, I believe it is. It's about being gracious. It's about having manners and character.
As far as being "small potatoes" goes, I disagree. State representatives vote to enact laws which can have an enormous impact on our daily lives -- roads, schools, etc. And if we look at the amount of money spent on state rep & senate races in this area during the past couple of election cycles, it's clear the candidates and their supporters don't regard those races as "small potatoes" by any means.
While I certainly don't speak for Shirley, like you I suspect that she's not loosing sleep over Oharah's discourtesy -- but in my book, that doesn't excuse his behavior.
Is a concession call really needed in something as generally small potatoes as a district rep race?
While I haven't spoken with either one of them lately, having the privilege of knowing both Shirley and Lynn pretty well, I doubt either are losing too much sleep over it.
"When asked to comment on the race, Oharah offered his congratulations to Palmer for her victory."
I wonder if this time he called Shirley to concede. When I talked to her late last night, he still hadn't called. Of course, he never did call to concede after the last election. IMHO, that alone speaks volumes.