Published: February 14, 2008 11:57 am      

Pirolozzi top city vote-getter

CUMBERLAND - It's no surprise.

The four top vote-getters in Tuesday's primary election for Cumberland City Council are those who have made sure their names are well-known in the community.

In complete but unofficial results, and with all 12 precincts reporting, Councilwoman Mary Beth Pirolozzi, Brian Grim, Jim Combs and David Kauffman are headed to the Nov. 4 general election.

Pirolozzi led the field with 1,531 votes or 24.5 percent.

Grim showed his strength in the political arena, capturing 1,386 of the votes - only 145 votes behind Pirolozzi.

Combs, a veteran candidate, often has moved into the general election but has yet to win a seat on the council. Combs garnered 1,109 votes for 17.8 percent of the total.

Rounding out the field of four is Kauffman, who finished the night with 991 votes.

"I think I'm still in a state of disbelief," Pirolozzi said Wednesday.

As the first four precincts reported in Tuesday night, Pirolozzi was clearly in the top four. "I did not assume or take anything for granted," she said. "Every vote counts. Every percentage of turnout counts and anything can happen."

Grim said he was "excited" Wednesday.

"I don't know so much it's a surprise as it is appreciation" of the voters, Grim said. "We were very hopeful of being in the top four."

He said his campaign will "back off a little bit" over the next couple of months as he feels people are "inundated" with election information, especially given the "ex-tremely long presidential season."

Combs said his plans to retire this summer will allow him more time to devote to campaigning. He said campaign supporters have often wondered how Combs, who works in Washington, could serve on the City Council with a job so far away.

"I was very pleased with the outcome," Combs said. "People have this idea that you need to be here. Whatever time is necessary, I will spend."

Kauffman, meanwhile, was doing "fantastic" after earning a spot on the general election ballot.

"We were hopeful but certainly not over confident, that we were going to be able to make it to the next round," Kauffman said. "I'm very much appreciative of the voters."

Now that the field is narrowed to four, Kauffman said he feels candidates would stand a better chance at discussing the issues.

Other results for council are: Lindsay Farris, 220; Devon D'Atri, 190; Carol Cauley, 151; Albert Keener, 148; Bernie Lechman, 137; Bill Taccino, 133; Jerry Chambers, 106; Mike Records, 91; and Dan Morris, 35.

All four winning candidates received the Western Maryland Central Labor Council's endorsement with Combs and Grim also garnering support from the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1715.

The two top vote-getters in the general election will be sworn into office Jan. 5, 2009. The council is nonpartisan.

Statewide, polls remained open 90 minutes longer, until 9:30 p.m., because of the icy conditions.

Of the city's 11,745 registered voters, 3,548 cast their ballots, or 30.2 percent. Nearly 800 absentee ballots as well as provisional ballots, not all of which impact the city race, still need to be counted.

The Board of Canvassers will begin counting absentee ballots today at 10 a.m., with Tuesday slated as the day to open and count the provisional ballots.

The final count will be conducted Feb. 22 at 10 a.m. and the election will be certified officially by the board.

All processes are open to the public and will be conducted at the County Office Complex, 701 Kelly Road, Suite 212.

Contact Maria Smith at msmith@times-news.com.
Contact Kevin Spradlin at kspradlin@times-news.com.