Issue date: 4/8/09 Section: News

Mason Daugherty, Charleston resident, watches election results on a screen as he lays on the floor of the Coles County courthouse Tuesday night. He came to the courthouse with his parents to supports his dad, Matt Daugherty, and grandfather, Max Daugherty. Matt was elected as a Charleston Township Trustee and Max was elected as a Charleston Township Supervisor. (Karolina Strack/The Daily Eastern News)

Charleston voters elected incumbent Mayor John Inyart to a second term in the city's consolidated election Tuesday.

Inyart, who was challenged by write-in candidate Troy Richey, won 96.2 percent of the vote.

Because Richey ran as a write-in candidate, his official percentage of votes cast was not available Tuesday evening.

Inyart said he attributes the win to his efforts to make city hall more accessible to residents.

"I think we've had good communication with the public through staff and the (City) Council," Inyart said. "I think we've improved the level of customer service at city hall."

In a six-way race for two Charleston City Council seats, voters elected incumbent Jim Dunn and newcomer Tim Newell.

Newell, a teacher at Charleston High School, will replace outgoing Council member Lorelei Sims.

Newell received 34.4 percent of the vote, while Dunn received 31.5 percent.

Among the other candidates in the race, James East won 13.1 percent, Mike Goble won 13.5 percent, and Ryan Siegel won 5.82 percent.

Official vote tallies for Matthew Hutti, who campaigned as a write-in candidate, were unavailable Tuesday evening.

Voters also elected Timothy Hutti to an open seat on the Charleston School Board with 50.1 percent of the vote.

The other candidates in the race were Joe Gisondi, who won 6.1 percent; Mark Heise with 33 percent; and Jack Moore with 10.9 percent.

Joe Astrouski can be reached at 581-7942 or at jmastrouski@eiu.edu.

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