Noble County Council primary races settled

Election 2008

May 7, 2008

By SHEILA SELMAN The Goshen News Wed May 07, 2008, 11:00 AM EDT

ALBION, Ind. — Three Republicans will face three Democrats in the Noble County Council at large race this fall.

The Republicans were unchallenged for their nominations in the primary. Les Alligood of Rome City, Mark Pankop of Kendallville and Harold Troyer of LaOtto pretty much evenly split the votes three ways.

However, the Democratic primary had four contenders for three spots. The three top vote-getters were: Jerry Jansen of Kendallville, 4,165 votes or 31.38 percent of the vote; Douglas Burnworth of Ligonier, 3,221 votes or 24.27 percent; and John Marsh of Kimmell, 3,213 votes or 24.21 percent. Donald Joseph Papai of Avilla, although last, received 20.13 percent of the vote with 2,672 voters casting their ballots for him.

Jansen, who received the most votes, said, “We had a good day today.” He is excited to get on the campaign trail for the general election.

Although Jansen has worked and volunteered in some very public roles in the county, if he wins the general election this would be the first elected office he’s held.

Jansen said he’s hoping to do good things and make a difference. “I’m looking forward to getting to meet people and get reacquainted with others.”

He added that he appreciates all those who voted for him.

“We’re looking forward to a good summer of meeting a lot of people,” he said.

Surveyor’s race

Incumbent County Surveyor Scott D. Zeigler won the Republican nomination, besting Randolph Sexton by a 5 percent margin.

Zeigler, of Albion, said he was “relieved” to have won the nomination.

He’s going to take a break from campaigning and “take a little time with the family. Any campaign, whether local or national, is pretty hard on the family.”

Zeigler said that results “teeter tottered pretty good back and forth all night.”

Reluctant to debate issues with his opponent during the primary for fear of a party rift, Zeigler said he is willing to talk issues with a Democratic opponent — if one’s slated.

Issues were brought up during this election, he said. And if he’s elected in the fall, Zeigler said he will continue to work on the good things and address issues as they arise.

Noble County Coroner

The general election will have Republican Joan Cripe running against Democrat Terry Gaff for county coroner.

Cripe, of Ligonier, defeated Albion resident Terry Brazzell for the Republican nomination with a vote of 1,611 to 1,418 or 53.19 percent of the vote.

Gaff, of Kendallville, was unopposed.

Cripe said, “I just appreciate the support of the citizens of Noble County, (and) their confidence in me to represent them in the fall election.”

For right now, though, she said, “I’m going to take a breather. I did quite a bit of campaigning. And a lot of people were out there working for me.”

Clerk of Circuit Court

In the Democratic primary, Shelly VanGorder of Avilla defeated W. Sue Patrick of Ligonier for the party nomination. VanGorder received 3,046 votes or 52.86 percent, while Patrick received 2,716 votes or 47.14 percent.

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