New candidates prepare for terms

The elections are over and newly elected candidates are now preparing to step into their offices and getting ready for what’s ahead. The elections saw a pretty good voter turnout. With 2,770  registered voters, 1,864 of them cast a ballot for a 67 percent turnout.

“Anything over 50 percent is excellent,” said current Clerk and Recorder Kathy Jasper.

Jasper is retiring and this election year, her position was up for election. Republican Staci Hayes won against democrat Jessica Connolly in the race. Hayes won with 1,011 to 775 votes, a margin of 56.6 to 43.4 percent.

“I was overwhelmed and am just relieved that it is over,” Hayes said. “And I just want to say thank you again to all who supported me through the entire process.”

Hayes said that her focus will be on learning as much as she can prior to taking over for Jasper in January.

Republican Mary Yarnall said that when she found out she’d been elected to replace incumbent democrat Anna Getz as superintendant of schools and treasurer, she felt great, scared and excited.

“It was somewhat surreal,” she said. “I worked so hwin and it was so close. I’m very thankful. I just want to thank those who supported me. My friends, my family and church family. I’m excited to get started and I’m going to work as hard as ever to serve the people of Mineral County.”

Yarnall said that she’s going to focus on learning what she doesn’t know as well as contacting resources that will be able to help her. Yarnall defeated Getz, 970 votes to 862, or 53 to 47 percent

In the race of sheriff, republican Ernie Ornelas came out on top.

“A lot of us were in the commissioners’ room and as we were getting the results, I kept thinking it’s not over until it’s over,” Ornelas said. “I was surprised I won by such a margin. The other two worked very hard.”

Ornelas won the election with 600 votes, compared to Tim Vulles, democrat, who garnered 296 votes and Charlie Everson, an independent write-in candidate, who grabbed 132.

Ornelas could be sworn in this week, if he wasn’t already by the time of press. He said that with the position vacant after Hugh Hopwood’s retirement neither he nor the commissioners saw any reason in waiting until January. Ornelas will no doubt be busy as he has training to attend in November and December.

 “I want to get handle on the different issues and get what I can resolved,” Ornelas said. “It’s going to be tough trying to get things organized with the trainings I have to go to. But I want to get an idea of where the budget stands and start looking at any grants we need to apply for next year for equipment.”

Ornelas also wants to look into what it’s going to take  to get a Web site up and running so he can get information to the public. He said he also needs to get a board together for the selection process for an undersheriff.

Ornelas said that from friends to family and businesses, there’s so many people that he thanks for their support including the support of the voters.

“People across the county have been so supportive,” Ornelas said. “I just pray I’ll be able to live up to the expectations.”

Incumbent Wanda James was the only elected official to retain her position as the county’s justice of the peace.

“I was very, very happy,” James said, “overjoyed. My opponent ran a good campaign. She worked hard. I expected it to be hard and close. I’m thrilled to be able to serve as the judge for another term.”

James defeated Muriah Alexander by 1,005 to 752 votes.

James said that she felt having an opponent this time around was beneficial for everyone. She said it made her reexamine and rethink what she thought she knew.

James said that the turnout of voters was unbelievable. She said she wants to give a great big thank you to her supporters and the voters.

As for being the only incumbent retained, James said that she was grateful, noting that across the nation voters are always quick to remove incumbents and start over though it may not always be the right time.

James said that she’s going to be looking at any ideas of Alexander’s that might be viable and said she’ll be working on what she talked about during the campaign including providing the best customer service possible.

Republican Gordon Hendrick was elected to his fourth and final term as house representative for House District 14.

“I’m very excited,” he said. “It’s a very humbling experience to be able to serve again and I want to thank everyone for their support and not just for voting, but for putting signs in yards and contributions.”

Hendrick defeated former Mineral County Commissioner Judy Stang 2,814 to 1,295 votes, a margin of 68.5 percent to 31.5 percent. He said that his goals will continue to be what they always have been including bringing jobs and revenue into the area and state of Montana.

“There’s a lack of jobs here,” Hendrick said. “I commend those businesses that have been able to stay here through this tough economic time. It’s the small businesses that bring jobs and I’m going to work to protect them.”

Hendrick said that the issue of taxes will also be a focus including getting to the bottom of the property reappraisal.

“I want the county to know I will take comments and suggestions,” Hendrick said. “I want to make Montana better and I’m going to do the best job I can do.”

Hendrick said that he wanted to thank Stang for her friendship and for running a great campaign.

In the race for east end county commissioner, Roman Zylawy defeated Norman Brovold 1,357 votes to 420, or 76 to 24 percent.

“I was thoroughly surprised, ecstatic and humbled by the great support,” Zylawy said. “I’ve been a highway patrolman for 21 years and I’ve written a lot of tickets so to see such a huge response was humbling.”

Zylawy said that he definitely feels that the county has given him their confidence. He said that he plans to do all he can to work toward improving the poor economy in the area.

“I feel we’re limited in terms of authority at the county level,” Zylawy said. “A lot of our problems are from decisions made outside the county that have a negative impact on us here. I want to talk with government and other entities and make sure they understand how we’re impacted before they make a quick decision.”

Zylawy said throughout the campaign that he feels getting hold of the ear of others who are above them is going to be crucial in making sure the county can get the help it needs.

“I want to thank everyone for having confidence in me and I’m to do all I can,” Zylawy said.

Finally, incumbent democrat Shaun Donovan was defeated by republican Marcia Boris, who was elected to serve at the county attorney, beginning in January. Boris defeated Donovan by a substantial margin, 1,163 votes to 667.

“I was very honored,” Boris said. “I absolutely felt that the voters had put their trust in me. It was a powerful emotional moment.”

Boris said that she knows that there is going to be challenges as she steps into the new role as Mineral County Attorney.

“With any new job, there is going to be a learning curve,” Boris said. I believe I’m up to the challenge and I’m looking forward to it.”

Boris said that she thanks the voters for their support and trust and would like them to know that she’s going to do everything she can to live up to the expectations.

“I’m going to the best job I can,” she said.