Close Albert Gallatin board races finally crystallize on Wednesday
After a race that was too close to call until early Wednesday morning, incumbent directors Edward Colebank, David Howard, Janet Swaney, John Gruskowski and Joseph Panek secured the five Democratic nominations for seats on the Albert Gallatin Area School Board. With 11 of 13 candidates cross-filing for the five open seats, only newcomer Jack Stewart was able to break the incumbents’ stranglehold on the nominations by securing one of the five Republican nominations.
With all precincts reporting, Colebank led all candidates on the Democratic ticket with 2,044 votes, according to unofficial results. Colebank was followed by Howard with 1,942 votes, Swaney with 1,834 votes, Gruskowski with 1,784 votes and Panek with 1,675 votes.
Colebank, a lifelong resident of the district, said he was happy to see all five incumbents nominated.
“I’m glad the board stayed the same, and now we can continue on the path that we have set,” he said. “I am going to try to use the experience I have gained to help the district continue forward.”
Rounding out the Democratic ticket were Joseph Bezjak with 1,446 votes, Steve Polink with 1,149 votes, William Guappone with 1,053 votes, Richard Russo with 935 votes, Joseph Stillwagon with 761 votes, Keith Swaney with 736 votes, Stewart with 485 votes and Ed Jeffreys with 412 votes.
On the Republican ticket, Janet Swaney led all candidates with 374 votes, according to unofficial results. The other four nominations were won by Edward Colebank (370 votes), John Gruskowski (270), Joseph Panek (264) and Stewart (244). Finishing close behind were Bezjak and Howard (both with 241 votes), Polink (197), Russo (194), Guappone (184) and Stillwagon (160).
Keith Swaney and Jeffreys filed only on the Democratic ticket.
Janet Swaney, whose daughter is a sophomore at Albert Gallatin Area High School, echoed Colebank’s words.
“I am elated to know that the people of this district felt that the five incumbents did a good job and we can continue to put the district on the right track,” she said.
Stewart, the only newcomer to make the ballot for November, said he is hoping his presence in the election will make the incumbents discuss the issues and problems facing the district.
“I am happy to be able to move my agenda forward, and I hope that this will create discussion of the issues among the candidates,” Stewart said.
Stewart, who lives in Point Marion, said he will continue to campaign on the issues of raising student proficiency in the district, creating a safer environment and improving district funding.