By Patrick Hurston
In unofficial results, Scott Fawley notched a decisive win on Tue., June 10 in his bid for mayor, handily defeating his opponent, Tyson Zirk.
Fawley secured 163 votes to Zirk’s 19.
Similarly, Councilmember Jason Fertig comfortably held his seat, winning 92 votes, with Jim Trommatter set to fill Fawley’s council seat after receiving 62 votes.
The results are considered unofficial until they are canvassed and certified this week, according to City Clerk Rick Freeman.
With 1,214 registered voters in the municipality, voter turnout was low, at just 15 percent.
Hardy County Clerk Loretta Humbertson said that wasn’t unusual. “As a general rule [Moorefield] usually does not have much of a turnout for their elections, not like a county, state, federal election that has a higher turnout.” She contrasted that with Wardensville which has held its elections with the county for some time now, “so they have a good turnout to report,” she said.
In response to the Examiner’s request for comment on his win, Fawley stated, “I’d just like to thank the wonderful residents of our hometown for once again reaffirming their belief in me. I am honored and humbled by the trust and confidence you’ve bestowed upon me by allowing me to be your mayor. This means a great deal to me, and I truly appreciate each and every vote. I look forward to the next four years and all the good things we can do together.”
Fawley replaces Carol Zuber as mayor.
Zuber chose not to run for a second term and instead sought a council seat. She placed fifth among seven candidates, receiving 51 votes. She has been at the center of an eight-month controversy regarding personnel issues related to the Moorefield Police Department, as detailed most recently in the June 4 issue of the Examiner.
Despite coming in fifth, the votes suggest a closer race.
Behind Fertig (92 votes) and Trommatter (62 votes), votes broke down as follows:
Erica Davy, 56 votes
Ta-Yare Meade, 54 votes
Carol Zuber, 51 votes
Valerie Daniel, 41 votes
Matthew Harris, 11 votes
Commenting on his win, Fertig said, “First, I would like to thank each person who came out to vote in the town election. It is your right and duty as a citizen to make your voice heard. Second, I would like to say thank you to all of those who voted for me in the election. Your support and confidence in me to do the job mean a lot to me. As always, I promise to be the voice of the people for Moorefield.”
“Before the election, I heard many concerns about the future of our town,” he continued.
“I hope to bring those issues before the council so we can all work together to make Moorefield the best it can be. Again, it is with great gratitude that I thank each and every person that voted for me. I will do my best to maintain my seat with the honesty and integrity that you have entrusted to me. I look forward to working with the newly elected mayor, and councilman for the next four years to make Moorefield shine as brightly as possible.”
Trommatter seemed to defy the odds by winning, despite being only a six-year resident, a fact he appeared to acknowledge saying, “Thank you, Moorefield, for your support and the trust placed in this newer resident. I look forward to serving this beautiful city and working together to keep our city one of the nicest places I have had the privilege to live in and now represent.”
Trommatter speculated that a desire by some candidates to make “quick changes” may have hampered voter support for them, though he acknowledged, apart from Fertig, how close the candidates were in votes.
“I’m relatively new to Moorefield but attended nearly every council meeting for the last three years,” he said in an email to the Examiner. “I have met with many of our town, and being the open and friendly city it is, nearly all have become welcoming neighbors and friends. I’d like to think they are the ones who expressed their trust in me by voting as they did.”
Asked if there was anything he learned while campaigning, Trommatter expressed some concern about growing divisiveness he witnessed.
“We of Moorefield will not always agree on all points,” he said, “but we should always maintain a level of civility. We may have missed that high mark a few times recently and that will likely color my business conduct and priorities initially. One can express opinions and disagreements, but ad hominem attacks and disrespect have no place in public (or any other) forum.”
Fawley, Fertig, and Trommatter will be sworn in and assume office on July 1.
