By Jim Misunas
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
LARNED — Larned Mayor Robert Pivonka said he wants to continue work for the growth and development of Larned. The voters agreed and Pivonka defeated challenger Tayleene VanNorden 500-336 with 59 percent.
“It was a pretty good turnout for an off election year, which it should have been. I had to work harder than some elections.
“I appreciate all the support people have given me,” Pivonka said. “It’s a vote that helps our city move forward and confirms the good work we’ve been doing as a city. It’s a statement that people have confidence in what the city is doing and the way we’re operating.”
Pivonka has supported the Overland Property Group’s development of 20 units of three-bedroom rental duplexes on 39 acres at Morris and Eighth.
“You build progress a little bit at a time and you like it when people are interested in moving to your town,” he said.
His challenger, Tayleene Van Norden, was supported by a group made up of several dozen business people, called Building a Better Community. The group was founded in November of 2012, stemming from a long-standing frustration of some community members over the high cost of taxes in Larned and Pawnee County.
Larned city councilman Charles Spina won re-election 91 to 74 over challenger Gene Pierce.
Kimi Bowman won a hotly contested Fort Larned USD 495 school board spot with 511 votes to 506 by Leroy Lyon.
Pawnee County results
Larned Mayor — Bob Pivonka 500; Tayleene VanNorden 336
Larned City Council
Ward 1 — Charles Spina 91, Gene Pierce 74
Ward 2 — David Zecha 265
Ward 3 — Dennis Wilson 209
Ward 4 — Kim Barnes 94
Burdett city council (top 3) — Joe Miller 33, Joe Griffie 31, Lee Olsen 20.
Garfield Mayor — Benny Burger 52, Robert Hoch 18
Garfield City Council (top 5) — Kevin Greathouse 61, Gerald Hickman 60, Travis Burger 52, John Ebert 50, Ed Ummel 36, Robert Banes 31, Thon Basom 25, Rachel Bird 10
Rozel City Council (top 3) — Bradley Colglazier 36, Ritch Foos 36, Deanna Cantrell 33.
Fort Larned USD 495
Position 4 — June Barger 960
Position 5 — Jay Haremza 911
Postion 6 — Kimi Bowman 511, Leroy Lyon 506.
Rozel USD 496
Position 1-3 — Philip Hammeke 98
Position 1-5 — Rod Eldridge 97
Position 2-6 — Candi Polson 89.
Van Norden was part of a citizen’s advocacy group called Building A Better Community.
