Antoinette Perkins

E. Robert Marks

WELLSBURG — A majority of Brooke County voters on Tuesday supported the continuation of a five-year levy supporting the local school district while re-electing Antoinette Perkins of Follansbee and Dr. E. Robert Marks of Wellsburg to the county’s school board.

A total of 2,785 voters, or 65.21 percent, voted in favor of the levy, which will generate $12.1 million for staff, instruction, services and extracurricular activities not covered by the state department of education.

All totals are unofficial until ballots are canvassed on Monday.

Jeff Crook, Brooke County superintendent of schools, said, “We’re very thankful to the community of Brooke County. It’s been 45 years that they have supported it.”

“We know they’re truly committed to the kids of Brooke County. We’re very grateful and we’re going to be great stewards of the taxpayers’ money.”

Crook also expressed thanks to the citizens committee formed by the board to help spread positive word about the levy and Brooke County Schools.

Top vote-getters in a nonpartisan race for two seats on the school board were: Perkins, who received 2,303 votes, or 36.51 percent; and Marks, who received 2,263 votes, or 35.88 percent.

Michael Traubert of Wellsburg, the third candidate in the race, received 1,726 votes, or 27.36 percent.

Marks said, “I love serving on the board. Education is something I really value.”

“I’m honored to serve the amazing Brooke County community and I’m grateful for the opportunity voters have given me. I will strive to carry on the traditions of high character, integrity, fiscal responsibility, hard work and Brooke Pride in our school system.”

Perkins thanked voters for their support, adding she’s looking forward to another term working with the other board members.

“What an honor to be on the board. We always want to do what’s best for the kids, and that’s been my driving force,” she said.

Perkins said, “I’m thrilled to death the levy passed.”

The levy and the school board race were the only two Brooke County matters decided by the election.

But it served as a trial run for candidates in the following other races:

• Public defender Robert Catlett, a Democrat; and Brooke County Assistant Prosecutor Allison Cowden, a Republican; who are vying for Brooke County prosecuting attorney. Catlett received 1,431 votes, while Cowden received 1,903.

• Republican incumbent Richard Beatty of Follansbee and Democratic challenger Richard Ferguson of Wellsburg, who are running for Brooke County sheriff. Beatty received 2,077 votes, while Ferguson received 1,483.

• Democratic challenger Darin Pizer of Wellsburg and Republican incumbent A.J. Thomas of Follansbee, who are candidates for Brooke County Commissioner. Pizer received 1,514 votes, while Thomas received 2,017.

County Clerk Kimberly Barbetta was disappointed in the level of participation in Tuesday’s primary, noting 32 percent of 14,721 voters turned out, including those who cast their ballots by mail or in person within the two weeks prior to the election.