Sam Blosser is selected as the new Parsons City Councilman during the June 14 election. Blosser will serve a two year term for Ward 2, replacing Jane Barb who was appointed to the position Oct. 2014. Blosser received 44 votes and his opponent for that position, Carolyn Gray, received 14 votes.
By Beth Christian Broschart
The Parsons Advocate
PARSONS – Parsons and Hambleton voters took to the polls and cast their votes for the position of mayor, recorder and council members during the municipal elections on June 14. In Parsons Ward 2, two residents were seeking a seat on the Parsons City Council, the only opposed race in either city.
Sam Blosser received 44 votes for the Ward 2 Parsons Council seat, while opponent Carolyn Gray received 14 votes. Blosser said he is ready to assume his duties representing those in Ward 2.
“I have lived in Parsons since 1983 and was an employee of the City of Parsons for 17 years,” Blosser said. “The people up on the hill in 2nd Ward are why I ran for Council.”
Blosser said there are lots of long-time residents in Parsons and they take pride in the city.
“There is a good relationship among the residents of Parsons and they are great to talk to,” he said.
Some of the positive improvements Blosser said are happening in Parsons include the lights on the railroad bridge and the sidewalks.
“I like how they have done the railroad bridge and feel there are lots of opportunities,” he said. “I hope to see more things for our younger kids in the future. I hope I can do a good job for the citizens of Parsons.”
Parsons City Administrator/Treasurer Jason Myers said the turnout for the Parsons Municipal Election was up from last year.
“The total amount of voters was up slightly from our election in 2014. In 2014, we had 125 voters, approximately 13 percent voter turnout,” Myers said. “This year, we had 169 voters, approximately 17 percent voter turnout.”
Election results for Parsons were: Mayor, Dorothy L. Judy, 95 votes; Recorder, Nick Carr, 88 votes; Ward 1 Council for 2 years, Melissa D. Jones; 48 votes; Ward 1 Council for 4 years, David Kee Greenlief, 51 votes; Ward 2 Council for 2 years, Sam Blosser 44 votes and Carolyn Gray 14 votes.
The population of Parsons was 1,485 in the 2010 census.
In Hambleton, all incumbents ran unopposed and were re-elected to their positions. Results for the Hambleton municipal election which was held June 14 are: Mayor, Linda Bates, 14 votes; Recorder, Michael Griffith, 13 votes; and Council Members David Bolinger, 11 votes; Russell (Rusty) Helmick, 11 votes; Matthew Phillips, 10 votes; Chad Smith, 10 votes; and Glenn Summerfield, 11 votes.
The population of Hambleton is 232.