MOUNT VERNON — Two political newcomers and two incumbents won seats on Mount Vernon City Council, according to unofficial results of the Nov. 4 General Election.
Taylor Jacklin won the 3rd Ward seat with 43.02 percent of the vote. Jennifer Shoman received 29.45 percent, and Gregory Yashnyk received 23.9 percent.
All three were write-in candidates.
Incumbent Republicans Mel Severns (30.03 percent) and Amber Keener (24.53 percent) won re-election to their at-large seats. Democrat Dale Miller will join them, pulling in 28.25 percent of the vote.
Write-in candidates received 17.20 percent of the vote, with Alan Reed receiving 0.13%. The remainder of write-in votes, 17.065, were unassigned.
James Mahan, 1st Ward, John Ruckman, 2nd Ward, and LeNan Hager, 4th Ward, all ran unopposed.
Treasurer David Stuller, Auditor Daniel Brinkman, and Council President Bruce Hawkins also ran unopposed.
All results are final until certified by the Board of Elections.
‘Surprised and excited’
Jacklin said he was surprised and excited on hearing the election results.
“The support that I received from people going all the way back to grade school was overwhelming and really reassuring,” he said. “ I’ve never done anything like this before. I am naturally very introverted, so this was a step out of my comfort zone.”
Jacklin said that when he looked down at the ballot to vote, many people were running uncontested.
“People should try, they should get involved. It’s a nice experience,” he said. “I felt very connected to the community through the whole process, and I just think for the health of the town and the democracy of the town that more people should really get out there and put their name in and try.”
Jacklin said in his new role, it is important to listen to people and to be available. He noted that Shoman and Yashnyk presented wonderful ideas that he had not thought of at Knox Pages’ Candidates Conversation.
“I really appreciated Greg’s stance on being available, and I will probably try to emulate that. And I think Jennifer’s commitment to standing up for the neighborhood that she lives in is very important to this area,” he said.
“I think what I would like to do personally is take what each of those people brought to the table and go forward with it.”
Jacklin said he is ready to start researching issues and figuring out ways to solve them responsibly and effectively.
“I come from a profession that uses evidence-based practice, and I want to take that same approach to governance,” he said. “Things should not just sound like good ideas. They should be proven to be effective because we are spending other people’s money.”
A clean campaign
Miller thanked all of the candidates who cared enough about their community to run for office.
“I would also like to commend everyone for running a clean campaign,” Miller said. “In this day and age of people slinging insults back and forth, it was refreshing to see the candidates stick to the issues at hand and conduct themselves in a respectful manner.
“Congratulations to all the winners, and I wish you all the best as you take on the responsibilities of your office. Finally, I would like to thank all the countless volunteers who assisted me in my campaign. I will never be able to fully express my gratitude for everything you have done for me.”
Severns also thanked the voters and those who supported him as a city council at-large member.
“My wife and family are especially supportive of me, so special thanks to them,” he said.
“I will continue to represent the residents of Mount Vernon, so please reach out with probing questions so your voice is heard and understood.
“I believe residents want to feel safe, so I will continue to support our first responders,” he continued. “We have to improve infrastructure both below and above the ground, so creative funding avenues are necessary.
“We continue to add housing in and around the city, so local job growth with living wages will be critical. Thank you for voting and making your voice heard. Mount Vernon, Ohio is my home, and I want to make it even better for all of us.”
Keener did not respond to a request for comment.
‘An honor to advocate for voters’
Shoman also thanked those in the 3rd Ward who took the time to listen, share their concerns, and support her campaign.
“It has been an honor to step forward and advocate for more civic engagement, greater transparency, and stronger local representation for our neighborhood,” she said. “Although the voters have chosen a different direction this time, I am not stepping away from our community. I intend to stay active, keep listening, and continue supporting the Third Ward in every way I can.
“I also want to sincerely congratulate Taylor Jacklin, who will serve as our next representative, and wish him the very best as he takes on the important work ahead. My commitment to Mount Vernon and to our ward remains strong — because serving our neighbors doesn’t end with an election.”
Liquor options
Mount Vernon voters also approved three local liquor options:
• Local Liquor Option Sunday sales in precinct 1-C passed 97 votes to 67 votes (59.15 percent to 40.85 percent).
• Local Liquor Option Sunday sales in precinct 2-A passed handily, 76.67 percent (69 votes) to 23.33 percent (21 votes).
• Local Liquor Option Sunday Sales 3-A passed by 55 votes: 176 votes, 59.26 percent for, and 121 votes (40.74 percent) against.