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Dillon is C-T, two new councilmen in Andrews

Laura Dillon (left) and son Matt Dillon are all smiles as the numbers on Matt’s phone show a victory for his mother in the race for Andrews clerk-treasurer.
Laura Dillon (left) and son Matt Dillon are all smiles as the numbers on Matt’s phone show a victory for his mother in the race for Andrews clerk-treasurer. Photo by Cindy Klepper.

Laura Dillon is the new clerk-treasurer in Andrews while John Harshbarger, William “Bill” Johnson and Bonnie L. Walker will comprise the town’s council after winning their respective races in the general election, held Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Dillon, a Republican, beat Democrat Ray Tackett.

“I am happy and excited,” said Dillon, who watched the results with family and friends at The Berg Ale Haus.

Dillon expressed an interest in maintaining the same agenda in the clerk-treasurer’s office and also in having an open door policy.

In a statement, she thanked Tackett for his service to the town as a member of the council.

“He has always been and continues to be a great attribute to the town,” she stated.

Despite losing the race, Tackett vowed to remain committed to solving the town’s problems, particularly its water contamination issues.

“We’ve made a few improvements, but the people here in Andrews are still suffering from bad drinking water,” he said.

Tackett congratulated Dillon, as well as those who won seats on the council, which he’ll be leaving after two terms.

“Things didn’t turn out the way I wanted them, but Andrews will be OK with the election … They’ll do just fine with the people that got elected,” he said.

Harshbarger and Walker, both Republicans, and Johnson, a Democrat, defeated Republican Gary Rice and independents Ted Grover and Joshua H. Young for council seats.

Johnson will be transitioning to the council after serving as the town’s clerk-treasurer for two terms.

“It’s going to be a different perspective,” he said. “I’ve been the clerk-treasurer for eight years and now I’m moving into a job that is more of a decision-making position than the accounting position I had prior.

“I’m hoping my past education and experience will allow me to be able to address some of the concerns and some issues that the town will be facing.”

Johnson thanked his supporters and said he looked forward to working with his fellow council members.

“We have a lot of challenges ahead of us and we’re hoping to work with John and Bonnie to get answers for those challenges and to meet those the best we can and to continue to move Andrews along to make it a nice place for people to reside,” he stated.

Walker currently serves on the council after being selected by the county Republican Party to fill the seat vacated by Michael Rohler. She said she was anxious to serve on the board on a more permanent basis.

“I feel very confident that we can really do a lot of good things for the town,” she said of the new council.

Harshbarger, who was the lone incumbent running for reelection, could not be reached for comment.