Eight advance to April 4 general election
More than 500 voters turned out Tuesday to cast votes for members of Marion City Council.
There were 44 absentee ballots casted, making the final voter count of 547.
Thirteen candidates had filed for four seats on the newly-formed city council. The top eight vote-getters will advance to the general election April 4.
The eight candidates with the most votes were: Bill Holdeman with 266; Gene Winkler, 241; Stacey Collett, 232; Darvin Markley, 215; Gerald (Jerry) Kline, 167; James (Jim) Davis, 143; incumbent Jim Crofoot, 138; and incumbent Max Hayen, 131.
Other candidates and their votes were: Earl Mueller, 129; Erik Billings, 123; Roger Hannaford III, 111; Melvin Honeyfield, 95; and Roger Schwab, 93.
The eight candidates will be invited to participate in a public forum at 2 p.m. March 12 at Marion Senior Center. The forum will give voters an opportunity to ask questions and become more familiar with the candidates and their positions on issues.
The council will be sworn in and take office at the next council meeting following the general election.
