Local election results
Several incumbents fell out of favor in several area townships in elections Tuesday, as voters elected to hand the job of supervisor over to some new faces.
Center Township
Rob Nymick, who was seeking a third six-year term as supervisor, apparently lost to challenger John Bertolino by one of the slimmest of margins: just five votes, according to unofficial results.
Nymick, who also serves as the borough manager in neighboring Homer City, received 564 votes. But Bertolino, who works in the financial planning field, edged the incumbent, with a total of 569 votes.
Conemaugh Township
Nora J. DeLuca was the sole candidate for supervisor listed on the ballot. But, based on unofficials write-in results, it appears that Bill Petro has defeated her for the post, with a total of 301 votes.
Derry Township
Democratic challenger Dan Rullo defeated incumbent Republican Brian Edmiston, who was seeking a second six-year term as supervisor. Rullo posted 1,347 votes to 1,162, according to unofficial results in Westmoreland County.
Fairfield Township
James E. Brown, a former teacher's assistant and chemical lab technician who now serves as caretaker for a small horse farm, will add even more variety to his resume as the new township supervisor. Brown received 248 votes to 174 for incumbent William F. Hughes.
Loyalhanna Township
Republican nominee Robert D. McKnight edged township employee Robert W. Buchinsky, on the Democratic ticket, by a narrow gap of nine votes--179 to 170--for the post of supervisor. Incumbent Marcus Bortz was not in the running.
West Wheatfield Township
Joe Shetler, foreman of the township crew, unseated incumbent supervisor Sam Boring, by a margin of 257 votes to 161.
White Township
Republican supervisor candidate Robert M. Overdorff defeated independent opponent Frederick M. Heilman, with 1,903 votes to 1,345.
Young Township
Bradley S. McClure, who was unopposed on the ballot, held on to win the supervisor post, receiving 280 votes while 133 were cast for write-in contenders, including Don Maryai.
Several other area supervisor candidates were unopposed: Ronald L. Stewart Sr. in Blacklick Township, Samuel Kerr in Brushvalley Township, Robert G. Eritano Sr. in Buffington Township, Les Henry in Burrell Township and James R. Donelson in East Wheatfield Township and James L. Caldwell in St. Clair Township.
Incumbents P.J. Hruska, who is vice president, and Michelle Jesko led the way in a five-way battle Tuesday for three seats on Saltsburg Borough Council.
They will be joined by Jack Edmundson, a paramedic, EMS director and Saltsburg fireman who serves on the boards of the town's Salt Center community center and of Allegheny Valley Hospital in Tarentum.
According to unofficial tallies, Hruska received 165 votes, Jesko 137 and Edmundson 100. The field of hopefuls also included Paul Klucsarits, who garnered 89 votes, and Drew Rummel, who posted 74.
Following are other area borough races of note:
Armagh
Write-in votes will determine who fills two seats on council, as no candidates were listed on the ballot. The apparent winners were Vernice Rosenberger, who received eight votes, and Paul Hencel, who collected seven.
Blairsville
Retired borough police chief Joseph Caugherty achieved a write-in upset in his bid for a First Ward council seat. He collected 228 votes to 112 for Melissa Uss, the sole candidate listed on the ballot.
In the Second Ward, no candidates were listed, but incumbent Ron Evanko, currently president of council, led those receiving write-in support, with 27 votes.
Chuck Lydic, the former borough codes officer and current ordinance enforcement officer in neighboring Burrell Township, was the sole candidate for a Third Ward council seat.
His 152 votes were enough to withstand 58 write-in votes that were cast, including 25 for incumbent Paul Masula.
Homer City
In Homer City Borough, there were no candidates listed for three open positions on the council...
Among those receiving write-in votes, incumbent Bea Harris was the front runner, with 79.
Ryan Hill and Rich Morris were apparent contenders for the remaining seats, with respective vote totals of 32 and 30.
Incumbent Kate Yancy apparently missed returning for another term, with 23 votes. Fellow incumbent Ken Walker did not seek a new term.
