Timnath voters elect new mayor

Timnath voters overwhelmingly endorsed a change in leadership while adding a new voice to the town board.

Challenger Donna Benson defeated incumbent mayor Annalee Foster by a more than two-to-one margin in the April 6 election. Benson received 41 votes to Foster's 16 votes. Benson called for restoring what she contended was a lost sense of cooperation between the town and property owners preparing to develop.

Tim Gaines, a 22-year veteran on the town board, was the top vote-getter among trustee candidates. Gaines, with 41 votes, and incumbent John Fusaro, with 39 votes, were elected to four-year terms.

Planning commissioner Joe Hancock, with 37 votes, and incumbent Charles Snider, with 36 votes, were elected to two-year terms. Unsuccessful candidates Rose Moon and Danny Byerly received 28 and 26 votes respectively.

Fifty-eight of the 145 registered voters cast ballots, representing an unusually strong 40 percent turnout.