The Mechanicsburg and North Lewisburg village councils will each welcome aboard a new member in 2016 following the unofficial results of Tuesday’s general election.
In Mechanicsburg, incumbent Jodi Compton was re-elected to council with 34 percent of the vote (200 total votes), while fellow incumbent and current Council President Pro Tem Christian Bradford lost his bid for re-election to newcomer Charles Foss, who received 40 percent of the votes (234 total) to Bradford’s 25 percent (147 total).
“I was pleasantly surprised by the response I received from voters in the village,” Foss said. “To be facing two incumbents and to come out with the most votes made me pretty happy.”
Likewise, Compton was thrilled with voters electing her to another term.
“To have the support of my community and to know that people acknowledge my work on the council and in the village is the ultimate endorsement, and I don’t take it lightly,” she said. “I can’t express enough how much I appreciate it and the buy-in I feel from my community. To have the endorsement of the people lets me know that we as a village are on the right track to making it a better place to live for everyone here.”
Foss said he has been looking for ways to get more involved with the community for several years and a four-year term on council gives him the chance to make a difference.
“I hope to be able to help council solve the problems Mechanicsburg has and help move the village forward, but as with any group like this, it has to be a team effort.”
Compton said over the next four years she looks forward to continuing her work with the fire and police departments, as well as being a voice for those living in the village.
“I’m excited to continue being in touch with our citizens and, in turn, bringing their concerns and values to council,” she said. “Being that bridge is important to me, and I’m thrilled that I get to do it for four more years.”
North Lewisburg residents elect incumbent, newcomer
In the four-candidate race for two open seats on the North Lewisburg Village Council, incumbent Susan Woodard was the top vote-getter, while incumbent Gwen Beech was re-elected to another term.
Woodard received 209 votes (33 percent), while Beech garnered 177 votes (28 percent). Challengers Nathan Holycross and Dennis Lamb received 127 votes (20 percent) and 113 votes (18 percent), respectively.
“It is a great honor, along with a great responsibility, to be elected to the village council,” Woodard said. “I can’t express enough how much it means to me to have so many members of our community put their faith in me, and I want to thank them for their support.”
Woodard said come Jan. 1, 2016, she will be ready to put her best foot forward to help improve and grow the village of North Lewisburg.
“One of my goals is to be a strong representative for the members of our village to help meet the requests and concerns that they have,” she said. “We have a great town, and the possibilities are endless.”
