Danny Gibbs

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Republicans made big gains on the County Board at the polls Tuesday night.
Carey Harbison led the way with 4,973 votes, followed by [link widoczny dla zalogowanych] with 4,398 votes. Next were Democrats Jim Fowler with 3,907 votes, Bob Oglesby with 3,872 votes, Republican Karla Carrigan with 3,736 votes, Democrat Bruce Tolley with 3,706 votes and Republican Jonathan Prather with 2,573 votes.
Incumbent Karen Barnhill and Kerry Jones,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], both Democrats, were defeated in their re-election bids with 3,262 and 3,362 votes respectively. Also defeated were Mike McKinnies, with 2,928 votes and Michelle Gunning with 2,507 votes. Both McKinnies and Gunning are Democrats. [link widoczny dla zalogowanych]
The election gives Republicans five seats on the 13-member board. Remaining incumbents include Democrats Georgia Cowger, Danny Gibbs, Gary Siebert, Jay Williams, Bruce Allen and Republican Joe Jackson.
Harbison ran far ahead of the pack in spite of - or perhaps because of - this being his first political race.
"I'm impressed with the turnout. I appreciate the support," Harbison said.
The Republican gains on the board may be attributed to hard work, walking precincts and a very good organization, Harbison said.
[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]
"A lot of people pursued it, made the calls," Harbison said.
Harbison, who owns a veterinary business, said small business owners need more representation in local government.
"Business owners have a little different perspective from others, and that's a perspective we need on the board," Harbison said.
Republican Jonathan Prather won a board seat on his second attempt.
[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]
"I'm just ready to go to work for the people of Saline County," Prather said.
Prather and Harbison both said creating revenue for the county and working on creating job growth are important priorities for the new board.
Oglesby, an incumbent Democrat, agreed job growth is important for the county.
Oglesby plans to "continue to promote jobs and take care of the finances of the people of Saline County," he said.
Tolley, chairman of the Budget Committee, said the night was tough on incumbents, particularly Democrats.
"The night held true to what everyone expected to happen," Tolley said.
"That handwriting had been on the wall for a while."
[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]
Tolley said he will continue to cooperate with everyone on the board and work for the betterment of the county.
"I'm going to be the same person I've always been" Tolley said.
The county budget will be placed on display tonight at a special meeting, with an eye toward final passage two weeks later at the regular November meeting. Therefore, the new board won't be faced with the difficult task of
preparing a budget immediately after taking office.
[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]
"When the new board is seated in December a new budget will be in place," Tolley said.
COUNTY COURTHOUSE —
Republicans pick up County Board seats