(April 6, 2017) Pocomoke City Councilman Dale Trotter will return for a second term following his election night victory over challenger Monna Van Ess on Tuesday.
Mayor Bruce Morrison, who was unopposed, will return for a third term.
The Pocomoke Board of Election Supervisors announced the final tally for the District 3 seat just after 7:30 p.m., with Trotter defeating Von Ess by an 86-67 margin. Elections officials said 141 ballots were cast on Tuesday, along with 13 absentee ballots, eight of which went to Trotter. One ballot in the pile was blank.
As the vote totals were announced, Trotter shook hands with Van Ess and received congratulations from councilwomen Diane Downing and Esther Troast.
“I look forward to continuing working with the council and the mayor,” he said. “It’s been a long day and I look forward to the next three years.”
In addition to his victory, Trotter was also pleased by the voter turnout.
“My first term we had 105 [votes], so we actually had more turnout today,” he said.
Van Ess, who said she was sensing a victory, also thought the voter traffic was phenomenal.
“I think it was a big turnout,” she said. “The weather played a lot in that … it was such a nice day.”
Despite her obvious disappointment, Van Ess said both sides ran strong campaigns.
“I was expecting to win but there weren’t any surprises other than that,” she said. “I thought it was pretty fair.”
Although she won’t join the council as a member, Van Ess said she still plans to attend the council meetings.
“I plan to continue to visit the council meetings on a regular basis,” she said. “I have promised to give the people a voice.”
While Morrison said he takes it as a vote of confidence that his third term was unopposed, he may hang up the saddle after three more years.
“Most likely, this would be my last term,” he said. “There are a few more things that I need to complete [in office] that I had on my list.”
The three-term Pocomoke mayor and two-term city councilman hopes to pass the mantle to future leaders with sharp ideas.
“After 15 years it’s time for someone else,” he said. “When I retire – when I finish – I’ll be 67.”
Although his decision isn’t final, Morrison said he would never regret his time in public service.
“I did my time and I loved it,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”
Mayor Bruce Morrison, who was unopposed, will return for a third term.
The Pocomoke Board of Election Supervisors announced the final tally for the District 3 seat just after 7:30 p.m., with Trotter defeating Von Ess by an 86-67 margin. Elections officials said 141 ballots were cast on Tuesday, along with 13 absentee ballots, eight of which went to Trotter. One ballot in the pile was blank.
As the vote totals were announced, Trotter shook hands with Van Ess and received congratulations from councilwomen Diane Downing and Esther Troast.
“I look forward to continuing working with the council and the mayor,” he said. “It’s been a long day and I look forward to the next three years.”
In addition to his victory, Trotter was also pleased by the voter turnout.
“My first term we had 105 [votes], so we actually had more turnout today,” he said.
Van Ess, who said she was sensing a victory, also thought the voter traffic was phenomenal.
“I think it was a big turnout,” she said. “The weather played a lot in that … it was such a nice day.”
Despite her obvious disappointment, Van Ess said both sides ran strong campaigns.
“I was expecting to win but there weren’t any surprises other than that,” she said. “I thought it was pretty fair.”
Although she won’t join the council as a member, Van Ess said she still plans to attend the council meetings.
“I plan to continue to visit the council meetings on a regular basis,” she said. “I have promised to give the people a voice.”
While Morrison said he takes it as a vote of confidence that his third term was unopposed, he may hang up the saddle after three more years.
“Most likely, this would be my last term,” he said. “There are a few more things that I need to complete [in office] that I had on my list.”
The three-term Pocomoke mayor and two-term city councilman hopes to pass the mantle to future leaders with sharp ideas.
“After 15 years it’s time for someone else,” he said. “When I retire – when I finish – I’ll be 67.”
Although his decision isn’t final, Morrison said he would never regret his time in public service.
“I did my time and I loved it,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”