Three Othello City Council incumbents behind in races

OTHELLO - Three Othello City Council incumbents were lagging behind in the races for their contested seats, according to Tuesday's preliminary election results.

For the position six seat, Mark Snyder, a parts salesman, was leading with 413 votes, or 68 percent. Snyder's opponent, incumbent Dale Wyman, a retired irrigation district employee, received 196 votes or 32 percent.

Snyder said he wasn't surprised that he was ahead because he received 55 percent of votes during the primary election.

When he officially becomes a councilmember, Snyder said he wants to add a full-time recreation director to the city staff and bring other businesses to town.

Former Othello City Councilmember Kenneth Johnson, a glass store manager, was leading in the position five race with 368 votes or 60 percent. Johnson's challenger, incumbent Everett Cole, a longtime councilmember and retired pastor, got 245 votes, or 40 percent.

Johnson wasn't available for comment Tuesday because he was attending a Masons meeting, said his wife, Heidi Johnson. "I'm very excited, I'm hoping he does win," she said.

And for position seven, Dan Dever, a retired schoolteacher, was ahead with 330 votes or 53 percent. His challenger, incumbent Kathy Carlton, a teacher at Hiawatha Elementary, received 287 votes, or 47 percent.

Dever wasn't available for comment Tuesday.

Election results are certified Nov. 27.

In Adams County, 2,586 ballots were shown as counted, according to the county's Web site. Elections staff couldn't be reached late Tuesday to learn how many ballots were outstanding.