By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The two contested races for Bowling Green City Council seats proved to be close competitions – with council incumbent Bill Herald and political newcomer Rachel Phipps both posting wins.
In the Third Ward, Democrat Phipps got 955 votes, while her Republican competitor Ryan Holley got 827.
In the Fourth Ward, Republican Herald got 1,578 votes, while his Democratic opponent Jeff Dennis got 1,457.
Phipps said she is looking forward to serving her community.
“I am very excited to get started,” she said late Tuesday evening.
Phipps sees opportunities to encourage more redevelopment along East Wooster Street, and to create an even more vibrant downtown. She has ideas for sprucing up alleyways with murals, adding sidewalk dining, and rerouting truck traffic around the downtown.
A former environmental attorney, Phipps believes in building on the sustainability programs in the city. That means looking into creating a community composting program, and setting up a sustainability board.
Holley said he was disappointed in the election results, but happy that he and Phipps ran a good campaign. He added that he was glad someone with Phipps’ passion and willingness to get to work will represent Third Ward.
As for Holley, he plans to continue serving Bowling Green on the city planning commission and in other roles.
“Absolutely,” he said. “I love BG.”
Herald said his campaigning led him to knock on more than 2,500 doors in Ward 4.
“I’m humbled that I won,” he said.
As a returning council member, Herald plans to continue working on the Community Action Plan recommendations, focus on improving neighborhoods and updating zoning codes.
And top on his list is being responsive to citizens, to “make Bowling Green a better place to live.”
In a statement after the results were in Tuesday night, Dennis noted that the Fourth Ward has not elected a Democratic council member in 24 years. “And it appears I will not be ending that streak tonight.”
Dennis said he had confidence that Herald will serve the ward well.
“I have no doubt that he will continue to serve his constituents with distinction and exercise the utmost attention to detail in his decision making,” Dennis said.
Dennis also said despite his loss, the city elected “several exceptional leaders,” including Mike Aspacher – the first Democratic mayor in more than 30 years.
The Third and Fourth wards were the only contested races in the Bowling Green city races.
Running unopposed were the following candidates along with their unofficial vote tallies:
- For mayor: Mike Aspacher, with 4,502 votes.
- For council-at-large: Neocles Leontis, with 3,779 votes.
- First Ward council: Mark Hollenbaugh, with 270 votes.
- Second Ward council: John Zanfardino, with 586 votes.
- Municipal Court Judge: Mark Reddin, with 10,637 votes.
