Steamboat Today: Election 2008

Few question Routt County budget

Employees ask about proposed 2010 pay scale, end of furloughs

A public hearing Tuesday about Routt County’s proposed 2010 budget drew only two employees to discuss a pay scale that remains below the beginning of 2009 and ends the furlough program.

Vance Fulton keeps Hayden District B seat

Incumbent tops challenger Laurie Hallenbeck for School Board

Hayden School Board member Vance Fulton will retain his seat and get his first full term as a board member. Fulton received 341 votes to opponent Laurie Hallenbeck's 206 in the District B School Board race.

Frentress wins Hayden District A seat

4th-generation Hayden resident beats Zehner for School Board

A former member of the Hayden Town Board, now Hayden Town Council, will represent District A on the Hayden School Board. Tim Frentress received 356 votes to the 192 received by opponent Darren Zehner, a 65 percent to 35 percent victory.

Connelly wins uncontested 4-year School Board seat

Denise Connelly won an uncontested race for her District 3 School Board seat Tuesday and will serve a second term. She received 2,749 votes.

Brian Kelly wins School Board seat

Longtime local defeats former educator Bill Kennedy for District 1

Brian Kelly won another chance to give back to the education community. He received 2,174 votes to challenger Bill Kennedy's 1,546, taking the Steamboat Springs School Board District 1 seat.

Magill re-elected in unopposed race

Walter Magill, a 39-year-old engineer and surveyor, will return to the Steamboat Springs City Council. Magill was first elected to the council in 2007 to finish a vacated term. Magill did not face an opponent in the District 3 race and will serve for four years. He received 2,293 votes.

Reisman defeats Solomon for District 2 seat

Small-business owner, soccer coach wins City Council seat

Kenny Reisman beat Ken Solomon for a District 2 seat on the Steamboat Springs City Council in Tuesday's election. He won with 56.3 percent of the vote, 1,776 to 1,379.

Engelken takes at-large City Council seat

Former councilman defeats Pietras for 2-year position

Former Steamboat Springs City Councilman Jim Engelken won a return to city leadership Tuesday, defeating political newcomer Kyle Pietras for the council's two-year, at-large seat.

Hermacinski re-elected to City Council

Council president pro tem easily defeats Bennett

In what turned out to be the most lopsided race of the 2009 election, Cari Hermacinski defeated Kevin Bennett for a District 1 seat on the Steamboat Springs City Council. She won with 63.6 percent of the vote, 2,066 to 1,184.

City's approval of Referendum 2C reduces signatures needed on petitions

With the approval of Referendum 2C on Tuesday, city voters made it easier for residents to formally challenge decisions made by the Steamboat Springs City Council. The referendum passed with 64 percent of the vote, 1,947 to 1,114.

Hayden OKs car rental, lodging tax hikes

Hayden voters passed a referendum Tuesday that will increase sales tax for car rentals at Yampa Valley Regional Airport. Based on 2008 rental car figures, Referendum 2B would generate $143,500 next year for the town of Hayden.

Hermacinski, Reisman, Engelken win City Council seats

Cari Hermacinski has retained her seat on the Steamboat Springs City Council. Joining her will be newcomer Kenny Reisman and former council member Jim Engelken. All three won their contested races Tuesday night. Brian Kelly won the contested Steamboat Springs School Board race.

Last-day voters weigh in

Elections officials have now collected more than 620 ballots today

More than 850 people have dropped of ballots or voted as of 6 p.m. today, Routt County election officials said. Anyone who still needs to vote must deliver a ballot to the Routt County Courthouse in downtown Steamboat Springs by 7 p.m.

Longtime residents among those Routt County voters missing ballots

Undeliverable Routt County ballots don't just belong to transient and inactive voters. Some of the area's active, longtime residents - including one candidate for the Steamboat Springs City Council - also have experienced trouble getting their hands on a ballot with their name on it.