Cindy DiFazio, Staff Writer

With the help of high-tech, high-speed wizardry, local election results were counted and posted before the crowd at the courthouse could even put a dent in all the goodies that courthouse employees had worked so hard to provide.

With 20,515 voters currently registered in Ripley County, 41.89%, or 8,593 ballots were cast, up 1.3% from 2002 mid-terms. In 2002, there were 19,451 registered voters, out of which 7,895, or 40.59% actually cast a ballot.

Interestingly, Republicans crossed party lines in this mid-term election more often than other voters. Those voting a straight Republican ticket totaled 1,282 or 57.88% this year, whereas in 2002 midterms 1,079 or 63.47% voted the straight party line.

Conversely, Democrats voted more along party lines this year than in 2002. Democrats casting votes for only Democrats came to 879 or 39.68%. In 2002, 599 or 35.24% voted strictly within the party.

Libertarians also voted more for their own candidates this time around. Fifty-four, 2.44% of Libertarians voted for Libertarians only. In 2002, 18 (1.06%) voted a straight ticket.

In the race for Ripley County Sheriff, newcomer Tom Grills (R) handily defeated law enforcement veteran, Bill Dramann (D). Grills ran on a platform that emphasized big changes in the sheriff’s department. Watching early results as they scrolled on the television screen, Grills said, “I feel comfortable with what I did. I feel good.” He emphasized that his opponent had garnered much highly deserved support in the community. The final tally was 4,744 votes for Grills (56.32%) and 3,680 for Dramann (43.68%).

The day following election, Grills said, “I deeply appreciate all the support I received.” He went on to thank his parents, who he said “raised me right,” and all the other family and friends who worked to make this come true.

Republican incumbent Ripley County Commissioner, Robert Reiners, retained his seat. Reiners was opposed by Democrat, Lloyd Richter, who did receive substantial support. Reiners, who spent most of Election Day helping out at the Batesville Knights of Columbus, praised Ripley County voters for a good turnout saying, “Considering the need for umbrellas up until noon, the showing was very steady.”
The final count was Reiner’s 4,900 votes to Richter’s 3,221, not a bad showing for Richter’s first political run. Richter, who said he was asked to fill an opening on the Democratic ticket, stated that he would consider running in another election commenting, “Wherever they want me to run, I will.” Richter stated that his strengths lie in an ability to relate to the average person’s needs. One of his stated goals, he said, is to help those in need, averring, “When people don’t have means, it’s the county’s duty to help out.”

In the contest for Ripley County Auditor, Republican incumbent Mary Ann McCoy bested Democrat challenger, David Forwalt by 2,837 ballots, garnering 67.18% of the total vote.

Juanita Kaiser, Republican for Ripley County Council with 1,315 votes, beat out Democrat, Joseph Decker who pulled 950 votes, for that seat. Council members running unopposed were: P. Dephane Smith (R) - 1,408 votes; David Simon (R) - 1,362 votes; and, Edward Armbrecht (D) - 1,547 votes.
In the Osgood Town Council At-Large race: Linda Krinop (R) received 231 votes; Gary Norman (D) 218; Vicki (DeDee) Holliday (D) 217; and, Jerry Burton (R) 141.

County Surveyor, Jeff French (R), running unopposed received 6,503 votes, County Assessor, Shawna Bushhorn (R), also unopposed - 6,235 votes and, Ripley County Prosecutor, Richard J. Hertel (R), unopposed - 6,321 votes.

In contested township races, here are the results:
* Adams Township Board - E. George Ammerman (D) 811 votes; W. Paul Voss (D) 802 votes; and, Floyd N. Doll (D) 726 votes.
* Brown Township Board - Scott D. Stutler (R) 355 votes and Mary Buchanan Smith (R) 275 votes.
* Center Township Board - Ruth J. Hughes (R) 537 votes; Harold E. Adams (R) 379 votes; and, Michael E. Hilton (R) 364 votes.
* Delaware Township Board - Harold Turner (R) 274 votes; Robert E. Workman (R) 270 votes; James M. Grigsby (D) 227 votes; and, Kerry A. McConnell (D) 154 votes.
* Franklin Township Board - Mark J. Riehle (D) 558 votes; Anthony A. Eisert (D) 529 votes; and, Dorothy Berger (D) 484 votes.
* Jackson Township Board - Susan Schutte (R) 249 votes; Jack W. Schuerman (D) 216 votes; and, Michael Schuler (D) 172 votes.
* Johnson Township Board - Carol L. Holzer (R) 714 votes; Raymond Sanders (R) 660 votes; and, Liz Baumgartner (R) 559 votes.
* Laughery Township Board - John Kellerman, II (D) 817 votes; Mary E. Mays (R) 807 votes; and, Helen Ellinghausen (R) 769 votes.
* Otter Creek Township Board - Janine Stratton (R) 279 votes; Ray E. Tucker (R) 265 votes; and, Matthew L. McNew (R) 251 votes.
* Washington Township Board - Harland E. Delap (D) 406 votes; Emily M. Voss (D) 385 votes; Kimberley S. Johnson (R) 379 votes; and, Debra J. Cutter (D) 337 votes.
* Johnson Township Trustee - Joyce Samples (D) 606 votes and Amber May (R) 526 votes.
* Washington Township Trustee - Ronald E. Denton (R) 287 votes; Arlin D. Hooker (D) 265 votes; and Ruby M. McDonald 145 votes.

In uncontested township races:
* Brown Township Trustee, Amy Copeland (R) received 390 votes.
* Center Township Trustee, William Warren (R), 595 votes.
* Delaware Township Trustee, Paul Hardy (R), 309 votes.
* Franklin Township Trustee, Garry Sapp (D), 671.
* Jackson Township Trustee, Joan Menchhofer (D), 249.
* Laughery Township Trustee, Saundra Nobbe (R), 1,123.
* Otter Creek Township Trustee, Cynthia Melton (D), 340.
* Shelby Township Trustee, Stacey Schmaltz (D), 191.
* Shelby Township Board, Bert Samples (D), 189.

In local, contested school board elections:
* Sunman-Dearborn 5 - David Bartholomew received 406 votes, while Kimberly Weber got 266.
* Sunman-Dearborn 6 - Charles Keyes got 478 votes, with Terri Potraffke receiving 138.
In uncontested school board elections:
* Batesville 1 - Wanita Linkel, 1,442 votes; and 2 - Raymond Call, 1,324.
* Sunman-Dearborn 1 - John Armbruster, 606 votes; and 4 - Glenn Scholl, 597.
* South Ripley 1 - Ralph Miller, 1,447 votes; 2 - Tim Taylor, 1,375; 4 - James Miller, 1,315; and 5 - Robert Garcia, 1,358.

Local voting in state and national elections went as follows:
* For U.S. Senator - Richard Lugar (R), 6,224 votes; and, Steve Osborn (L), 1,117.
* Secretary of State - Todd Rokita (R), 4,308; Joe Pearson (D), 3,360; Mike Kole (L), 384; write-in, 4.
* Auditor of State - Tim Berry (R), 4,445; and, Judy Anderson (D), 3,534.
* Treasurer of State - Richard Mourdock (R), 4,532; and Michael Griffin (D), 3,399.
* U.S. Representative District 9 - Mike Sodrel (R), 4,813; Baron Hill (D), 3,300; D. Eric Schansberg (L), 320; write-in, 5.
* State Senator District 43 - Johnny Nugent (R), 5,958; and, Lane Siekman (D), 2,432.
* State Representative District 67 - Cleo Duncan (R), 4,060; and Martin Voegele, 1,724.
* State Representative District 68 - Bill Ullrich (R), 636; and, Robert Bischoff (D), 817.
* State Representative District 69 - Billy Bright (R), 360; and, David Cheatham (D), 343.

On the night of the election, after all the ballots had been electronically tallied, County Clerk, Ginger Bradford marveled that it was only two hours after the polls closed and the courthouse chaos was drawing to a close. Bradford commented, “It’s all over so fast! These candidates work for months on their campaigns, and then it’s all over in two hours.” It was exciting nonetheless.

GARY FRANKLIN PHOTO Tom Grills takes a phone call after he has been declared the winner of the race for sheriff in Ripley County. His father, Larry Grills, looks on.