Trish Bennett, Editor
CIRCLEVILLE – Less than 7 percent of registered Pickaway County voters chose candidates and decided issues in Tuesday’s special election and Democratic primary.
In Circleville, 346 Democrats cast their ballots for incumbent city council president David M. Crawford, which accounted for 83.57 percent of the vote. Challenger Michael R. Parks drew 68 votes, accounting for 16.43 percent.
Crawford, 58, has served on council for the past 29 years and will now run unopposed to retain the president’s seat in the November general election.
The Paint Valley Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health (ADAMH) levy was rejected overall by voters in its five-county district on Tuesday. Though voters in Pickaway and Fayette counties approved the 1 mill, 10-year additional levy for current operating expenses, the “against” votes in Highland, Ross and Pike counties sealed its fate.
Pickaway County voters cast 1,348 votes (58.41 percent) for the levy and 960 votes (41.59 percent) against.
The overall totals in the five-county district were 6,701 votes for the levy and 7,703 against.
On its Facebook page Tuesday night, the Paint Valley ADAMH Board expressed its disappointment but also its thanks to residents of the district:
“While we are extremely disappointed in the outcome of the vote, the Paint Valley ADAMH Board would like to thank all residents in Fayette, Highland, Pickaway, Pike, and Ross Counties. We remain committed to evidenced based prevention and treatment services provided, but our current funding levels are not enough to meet the need of individuals in need of mental health or addiction services. Hopefully, this campaign has raised awareness in our community about the critical need to provide a safety net of mental health and counseling services. We will assess and plan accordingly to help as many people as possible now, and provide hope for a better tomorrow.”
The proposed additional 2.5 mill, five-year levy for a community center in New Holland also went down to defeat, but by a margin of just eight votes between Pickaway and Fayette counties. Fifty-two residents voted for the levy, and 60 voted against.
Pickaway County saw just 2,319 ballots cast in Tuesday’s election, accounting for 6.76 percent of the county’s registered voters, according to figures provided by the Pickaway County Board of Elections.
The published results are considered unofficial until certified by the board.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
