MOYERS CLAIMS NEW TERM AS THE MAYOR OF CHAFFEE

CHAFFEE -- Mayor Ron Moyers won re-election to a second four-year term Tuesday, knocking back challenges from ex-Mayor Robert Capshaw and newcomer Bill Goad.

The non-final returns also showed a loss for Ward 2 Councilman Ed Gauthier at the hands of Janet Sullivan. But Gauthier, who was seeking his third two-year term, claimed voting irregularities existed and he said the election may be invalidated.

Although Moyers said he knew of only heresay on the voting irregularities, he said they would apply only to the Ward 2 race.

Chaffee voters cast 406 ballots for Moyers and 315 for Capshaw, said a Scott County deputy circuit clerk. Goad picked up 16 votes.

A total of 118 votes went to Sullivan and 104 to Gauthier, the clerk said.

Tuesday night, Moyers said he didn't know of any other way to express himself than to say he was "delighted."

"It just kind of lets you know that the people in Chaffee are still behind you, and it makes you feel good that they put that much confidence in you," he said. "Hopefully the next four years will be as successful as the last four years."

Capshaw could not be reached for comment. There was also no answer Tuesday night at Sullivan's home telephone.

Gauthier said the voting irregularities involved the first 38 voters at Chaffee City Hall, who all received ballots for Ward 2 although some reside in Ward 1. He said he didn't know how many Ward 1 voters were involved though.

Chaffee has two polling places. Voters from wards 1 and 2 vote at city hall, while ward 3 and 4 voters cast their ballots at the Chaffee Nutrition Center on South Main, Gauthier said.

Scott County Clerk Bob Kielhofner was unavailable Tuesday night to verify the information from Gauthier.

However the votes eventually turn out, Gauthier said, he can live with it.

"I didn't get out and campaign this time," he added, "but I might if there is a re-election, since it was so close."

Also elected to the Chaffee City Council in uncontested elections were incumbents Tom Cunningham of Ward 4 and Bill Cannon of Ward 1, and Danny Finney, who will replace Marcus Lauck in Ward 3. Lauck did not file for re-election.