Residents cast ballots in election

Voters headed to the polls yesterday to cast ballots to elect county officials. Several seats were open this year and several of the positions that hadn’t been challenged in the past had two people seeking to fill them. It was an election year that generated a lot of interest as forums across the county gave voters the opportunity to ask questions of the candidates and get answers.

The results of the election were not available at time of press, but can be found on our Web site at vp-mi.com

With the retirement of Hugh Hopwood as sheriff, three candidates hit the campaign trail after the primaries to try for the peoples’ votes. Ernie Ornelas, Republican, Tim Vulles, Democrat, and Charlie Everson, write-in candidate, were all vying for the position. With budget issues, personnel shortage and the loss of the federal inmates, there will be lots of problems that the newly elected sheriff will have to contend with.

Whichever man was selected for the job on Tuesday, they all were dedicated to stepping in and giving the department their full attention.

 “I wouldn’t be here right now running for this position if I wasn’t going to commit full time,” Everson said.

Vulles said that both the sheriff and undersheriff are going to be working officers within the department.

“We have to work together and do what we need to do,” Vulles said. “I will be a working sheriff.”

Ornelas agreed.

“Forty hours a week is not going to be enough, there’s a lot to be done,” Ornelas said. “As far as being a working sheriff, that’s absolute. I’ll be spending as little at time as possible in the office.”

Shaun Donovan, Democrat, who has held the county attorney position for more than 30 years went up against contender Marcia Boris, Republican. Donovan argued during the campaign that the thing that separated the two was that he’s been “doing this for a lot longer time.”

“There’s all kind of thing I’ve come to know that I wouldn’t if I hadn’t practiced this long,” Donovan said. “I work in an office where one person covers everything…my commitment to this community is unwavering.”

Boris argued that she was ready to handle the position having worked in Libby for two years as the deputy county attorney and said she’s taken full advantage to learn from the high volume case load, which she feels prepared her for the position in Mineral County.

“I’m running for this office because I believe I can make a difference here and I’d be honored if the voters gave me an opportunity to do so,” Boris said.

Mary Yarnall, Republican, challenged Anna Getz, Democrat, for the office of treasurer and superintendant of schools. Yarnall said throughout the campaign that she wants to move the office forward with technology while Getz said that she feels the office has been performing well under her supervision.

The East End Commissioner seat also opened up and Roman Zylawy, Republican, and Norman Brovold, Democrat, ran against each other seeking to fill the position.

In the nonpartisan position of justice of the peace, the incumbent Wanda James faced opponent Mariah Alexander. Both contenders felt that they would be good for this county. James said in the forum that she’s proud of the work she’s been doing, while Alexander said she felt she could bring a fresh perspective to the office.

Finally, after deciding to run again for his last term for representing house district 14, Republican Gordon Hendrick ran against Democrat Judy Stang.

Again, the election results will be on our Web site today and next week, we’ll have reaction from the winners and talk to them about what their plans are as they prepare to step into their elected office.