By Seth Gecko
Early returns show that Becky McKenzie was elected to fill the open seat on New Carlisle City Council in today's election, according to unofficial returns from the Clark County Board of Elections.
Election night totals were 164 for McKenzie and 156 for Hopkins.
This race was the only item on the ballot in Clark County. Voter turnout was less than 10%.
The seat was vacated by the resignation of Aaron Leighty at the July 16, 2018 Council meeting. Leighty stated that his employment necessitated a move outside of the city.
Council tried to appoint a person to fill the seat, but it ended in a 3-3 tie. Hopkins and McKenzie were the two candidates being considered.
The task to appoint a new member fell upon Mayor Ethan Reynolds, but the legality of the meeting held for that purpose because the legal notice announcing the meeting did not disclose a purpose for the meeting.
Reynolds then hastily scheduled another council meeting, but no appointment was made because of a lack of a quorum.
In her Pre-Primary Finance Report, McKenzie reported $1925 in monetary contributions and $1415.01 in expenditures. The Pre-Primary Finance Report for Amy Hopkins was not available on Election Day. Those reports were due on April 25.
Four council members are up for re-election in November - William Lindsey, Mike Lowrey, Ethan Reynolds and Chris Shamy.