Parkville residents recognized Deborah Butcher’s involvement in her community at the polls on Tuesday, as they elected her to fill the Ward 1 Alderman seat being vacated by Charlie Poole.
As tallies rolled in Tuesday night, the numbers showed that Butcher had defeated opponent Tom Hutsler 52% to 47%. The election for the Ward 1 seat came down to only a handful of votes, with Butcher garnishing 171 votes and Hutsler 155 votes.
“It was a hard fought race. There were enough people that were aware of so many activities I’ve been involved in and my years and years of service that thank goodness they did get out to vote and they did disregard so many negative pieces that were mailed,” Butcher said Wednesday morning.
She said she realizes that as a new person on the board she will have a lot to learn.
“There are many people on the board that have a great deal of knowledge. My immediate goals are to learn as much as I possibly can.”
Butcher’s goals as the newest alderman of Parkville is to “maximize the city’s economic potential without compromising our quality of life”.
In order to do that, Butcher stated she would encourage necessary infrastructure improvements, and she would focus on macroeconomic indicators important to the quality of life.
She said residents in her ward also want to develop a partnership with the police department “so we can better protect ourselves and do preventive things to prevent the small crimes that we’re seeing.”
In Parkville’s Ward 4 alderman race, incumbent Marc Sportsman defeated opponent David Riekhof, 108 votes to 73 votes.
“I’m very happy that the voters decided that I should represent Ward 4 for another term. It’s very rewarding and gratifying to see that support,” said Sportsman.
“I look forward to representing Ward 4 and the City of Parkville for the next two years and I would like to congratulate my opponent for a well-run campaign and the effort he put into it.”
Sportsman said his goals for another term are “to help my fellow aldermen and the city employees to better utilize the capital improvements and to help ensure that there’s balance between our future growth and the ambiance of our city.”
Sportsman also will make sure the capital improvements funds are “strategically utilized for the city’s best interest.”