BELLA VISTA — Late voting counts left Bella Vista waiting to fill five City Council seats.
According to partial early voting numbers, Becky Morgan had 3,956 votes to incumbent Doug Farner’s 3,481 votes in Ward 1 Position 1. This is a four-year term.
Incumbent James “Jim” Wozniak had 4,512 votes to Harry “Butch” Newby’s 2,985 votes in Ward 2 Position 1. This is a four-year term.
Incumbent Richard “Dick” Rooney had 3,067 votes to Herb Thomas’ 1,712 votes in Ward 2 Position 2. Terry Tomlin, whose name appeared on the ballot but who later decided not to run for the seat, had 2,118 votes. This is a two-year term.
Linda Leffler had 2,894 votes to Allen King’s 2,399 votes and incumbent Earl Berdine’s 1,677 votes in Ward 3 Position 1. Leffler chose to back out of the race before the election. Berdine also dropped from the race, but rejoined in late October. This is a four-year term.
Larry Wilson had 2,510 votes to Karen Young’s 2,486 votes and Suzanne Jessup’s 1,832 votes in Ward 3 Position 2. Young’s name also appeared on the ballot, though she dropped out of the race. This is a two-year term.
If a candidate who dropped from the race but whose name remains on the ballot is elected, he or she will have to choose to serve or resign. The new council will then fill the seat either by appointment or special election in the new year.
Alderman Jerry Snow in Ward 1 Position 2 was the only unopposed candidate.
At press time, voting numbers did not favor the commercial rezoning of the lot at Bella Vista Way and Oldham Drive, with 4,321 votes against and 3,811 votes for. The issue was put to a vote after a referendum was filed against a rezoning ordinance passed by the City Council in June to zone the lot C-4 from R-1. If the ordinance fails, the lot will return to R-1 residential zoning.
All vote totals are unofficial.