Two incumbents defeated in Harrisburg City Council race
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Two longtime city employees will join a newcomer and a veteran commissioner on the Harrisburg City Council.
Ron Crank, a former police officer, led the 13-way race with 636 votes, followed by Bart Schiff with 616 votes, Ron Fearheiley with 613 votes and John McPeek with 612 votes.
Incumbent council members Clarence Rice and Linda Mitacek were defeated, with 579 and 569 votes respectively. Michael Gall, a political newcomer, garnered 594 votes to finish just short of the winners. Lia Milstead took 555 votes, followed by Bob Holmes with 457 votes, Tim Mitchell with 315 votes, Jonathan Gericke with 287 votes, William L. Duncan with 168 votes and Jackie R. Casteel with 164 votes.
Schiiff ran a particularly strong race in his first try at elected office.
"I'm glad I won. I worked hard at it and the work's paying off," Schiff said.
Schiff said he walked neighborhoods most evenings after work and talked to a lot of people on the campaign trail.
Schiff has no idea what commission he would like yet. By convention, Crank will choose first, the Schiff will choose. Schiff suggested the newly-elected councilmen should talk over their preferences, an idea Fearheiley embraced.
Fearheiley pointed out he has 30 years experience working for the city, 12 of which were spent as superintendent of the Water and Sewer Department. The current assignment of commissions calls for the mayor to handle the Water and Sewer Department, but Fearheiley said his expertise could come in handy and he'd be glad to help. Fearheiley also has experience on the Street and Alley Department, he said.
Milstead was one of several candidates who ran a good race but came up a little short.
"I appreciate everybody who did vote for me," Milstead said.
Like most of the candidates, Milstead was surprised by the low turnout. Turnout in Saline County was just 25 percent. Some areas, like Carrier Mills and Stonefort, had no contested elections. But most places had at least some races on the ballot.
Fearheiley said the low turnout is "a shame."