Voter turnout in Morrow County was up this year with 66.43 percent of registered voters casting their ballot Tuesday compared to 64 percent who voted in the 2012 presidential election.
Republicans were the biggest beneficiary of the election this year with Morrow County voters choosing Republican candidates in every race except the 5th District Court of Appeals that went to Democrat Earl Wise with 51.20 percent to David Gormley with 48.80 percent.
Newly elected Morrow County Commissioner, Burgess Castle was out in the county collecting his signs Wednesday when he thanked voters for the majority vote of 60.37 percent over Democrat, Mike Porter.
“Voters were good to me and I really appreciate it,” Castle said. “Now I’ve got to live up to my end of the bargain.”
Castle said he also realizes that “being Commissioner is a whole level above the work he did as a Township Trustee.”
“It comes down to this,” Castle added. “I’m supposed to be a public servant and I’ll do my best for the people in Morrow County.”
Other Republican candidates on the Morrow County ballot were unopposed for county positions of Sheriff, Recorder, Prosecuting Attorney, Clerk of Courts, Treasurer and Engineer.
The Seniors on Center replacement levy of .5 mills for five years received solid support. It passed with 62.13 percent for the levy and 37.87 percent against. The Delaware-Morrow Mental Health levy received 54.98 percent for and 45.2 percent no votes in Morrow County and also passed by a large majority in Delaware County.
Mount Gilead Public Library Director, Mike Kirk was very happy to see the 1 mill for five year levy approved by a margin of 51.86 percent to 48.14 percent. He said the library staff has been getting many positive comments from patrons during the season, but they could only hope until all the votes were in.
Tri-Rivers 1.3 mills replacement levy did not get approval either in Morrow or Marion counties. It failed with a final vote of 13,701 no votes to 11,361 yes votes.
The three Fulton levies passed with 64.76 percent for the renewal for 3 mill current expenses; 66.67 percent for the 4 mill renewal for sewage system; and 60.95 percent for the additional 3.5 mills for streets.
Cardington, Chester and Lincoln Township Cemetery levies all passed while Mount Gilead turned down the .5 mill additional levy with 1,600 voters against and 1,160 for the levy. Perry Township 1.3 renewal levy for cemeteries was also turned down with 310 no votes and 293 for.
County fire levies passed in Chester Twp. 462 for and 417 against, N. Bloomfield 1 mill fire passed with 574 yes and 326 no votes. First Consolidated Fire District 1.3 mill replacement passed with 136 for and 86 against. Perry Twp. 2 mill road renewal levy passed with 362 for and 245 no votes.
Local liquor options for license passed in both Bennington Twp. West and Washington Twp. Local option for Sunday sales of alcohol also passed in both of those townships.
