SCSD#9 same, SCSD#1 different

by Derek Farr

It was a tale of two school districts. Tuesday’s election put two new faces on the Sublette County School District No. 1 (SCSD#1) Board of Trustees, while three familiar faces won reelection in Sublette County School District No. 9 (SCSD#9).

Mark Pape easily won his uncontested race for Pinedale 2 trustee with 2,448 votes. Write-in candidate Dr. Tom Johnston came in a distant second with 182.

Calling Johnston a “valuable resource,” Pape said he plans to get right to work.

“We’re right in the middle of an elementary school issue and a finance issue so its just going to be a matter of diving right into the process.”

In the SCSD#1 Rural District race, 17-year board member Jim Malkowski won over business owner Maggie Palmer – 1,640 to 1,091.

In an email Palmer said her experience in the campaign was an “incredible educational experience” and she looked forward to staying involved in the community.

She also mentioned the campaign and her opponent.

“I think it was a good, clean campaign on both fronts. The entrenched incumbent of 17 years won the election with a hair more than 50 percent of the popular vote. This indicates that a significant percentage of the voters are not impressed with the job he is doing. While he needs to be commended for his longevity of service, it would behoove him to read ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People.’”

Ex-school teacher Greg Anderson was victorious over one-time board member Ken Marincic in for the At Large seat – 1,623 to 1,137.

In SCSD#9, board members David Burnett, Kurt Meeks and Darcy Turner easily won reelection with totals of 762, 843 and 704 votes respectively.

Each trustee seat has a four-year term.