New leadership has been elected for some communities while several ballot issues pass in the Lakes Region as result of the votes cast in the Missouri Municipal Elections.
Some of the highlights:
Voters in much of southern Stone County voted in favor of a Tourism Tax on Lodging to help finance the promotion of Tourism in and around Table Rock Lake. Around 57% of voters favored the tax.
In Branson, voters for the third time have renewed a 1/2 Transportation Tax to go to street improvements. Other ballot issues passed included a Marijuana Tax in Reeds Spring, a Capital Improvement Tax in Galena, and a Waterworks and Sewer Bond Issue in Branson West. For the second time, voters in Forsyth turned down the option to collect funds from an Internet Use Tax.
Among the contested races, voters have selected a new Mayor in Forsyth as incumbent Missi Hesketh was defeated by Julie AuBuchon while in Hollister, longtime Ward 2 Alderman Phil Carman was defeated by challenger Chris Carlson. '
In another mayoral races, David Casaletto won a three person race to remain Mayor of Merriam Woods.
In Reeds Spring, a group of write-in candidates won all three races including for Mayor, as Barbara Hoke beat out three people on the ballot including incumbent Mayor Jimmy Leach. Also winning as write-ins were Linda Jansen in Ward 1 and Steve Rogers in Ward 2.
Several school boards had elections in the Lakes Region. Those and other results can be found online at the county websites:
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