WAPELLO, Iowa - Louisa County voters apparently like their current politicians - at least their mayors.

All of the incumbent mayors whose seats were up for election this year were re-elected Tuesday - even those who did not have their names on the ballot.

Frank Best, 34, Columbus City's incumbent mayor, did not seek re-election this year even though he said a lot of good things happened during his tenure.

Nonetheless, Best won with 33 votes, while challenger Steven Bell, a former city councilman, Bell received 26.

"This is unreal," Best said after hearing the results. "I had no clue this would happen. It wasn't in my plan to be mayor again, but I guess I will accept the job. When that many people vote for you, it's kinda hard to turn it down."

Best said a multi-year sewer and water project was completed and the streets were resurfaced while he held office.

"There was a lot accomplished, but there is always room to build on," he said. "We'll just have to see what we can get done."

Bell said he had no burning desire to hold the office and just wanted to be sure there would be a name on the ballot when he decided to file.

In Grandview, no one ran for mayor. After two terms, incumbent Charles Sorrowfree, 39, said he thought someone else should have the opportunity to serve.

"The council threatened to do this to me," he said after hearing that he had received the most votes. He is not sure he will accept the position.

Sorrowfree received 25 votes, while councilwoman Glenda Whitlow received three. If Sorrowfree declines to serve, Whitlow will have the opportunity to accept the job.

Whitlow had run for re-election on the council, but did not make the cut there.

Elected to the Grandview City Council were longtime councilman Earl McGill, who received 30 votes, and retired postmaster Paul Stineman, 78, who garnered 31 votes. Whitlow came in third with 21 votes. Also on the ballot for two seats were Johnny Montagna, who received 15 votes and Gene Pace, who got 14.

Stineman said he ran with no particular issues in mind.

"I've always been interested in what happens in town," he said. "I have some time to devote to the council,"

In Oakville, Tom Young was re-elected mayor with 60 votes, while challenger Marvin Jon Creelman received 45.

Creelman said he ran for the office because he felt it was time for a change.

"I had some ideas that I thought were progressive," Creelman said. "Oakville is a nice town to live in, but I think it could do more."

The Journal was unable to reach Young by press deadline.

In Morning Sun, incumbent mayor Patricia Schaefer won with 84 votes against a write-in campaign by Nathan Comeskey, who received 46 votes.

The Louisa County Board of Supervisors will canvass the votes Wednesday, Nov. 12.

Connie Street can be reached at 563-263-2331 (ext. 317), 319-527-8164 or by e-mail at ckcasey@louisacomm.net

LOUISA COUNTY RESULTS

Columbus City

For Mayor: Steven C. Bell, 26

Write in - Frank Best, 33

City Council: Three vacancies, two candidates ran: Rafael Herrera, 55, and Verlinda Prior, 42, and John Shafer received 34 on a write in.

Columbus Junction

City Council Incumbents were re-elected

T. Mark Huston, 49, Ronald Dunker Jr., 50, and John P. Kaalberg, 50; and William A. Wever, 46

Cotter

All City Council Incumbents were re-elected

Mayor: Mark Jay, 10

Council: Joan Baird, 10, W. Dwight Britton, 8, Ronald Lee Lewis, 8, Edna Peters, 10 and Jim Wagenknecht, 10.

Fredonia

Incumbent Mayor: Ray Nyenhuis, 12.

Four council seats: Russell Bruce Blodgett, 5, Nela S. Bennet, 10 and by write in, Alan Sonderberg, 5 and Aaron Reid, 4.

Grandview

Mayor: Write-ins Charles Sorrowfree, 25, Glenda Whitlow, 3

Two council seats; Gene Pace, 14; Paul Stineman, 31; Glenda Whitlow, 21; Johnny P. Montagna, 15; Earl W. McGill Jr., 30.

Letts

Three Council seats: running: Jim Thompson, 32; Brian Lawrence, 29; Tim Marks, 29

Morning Sun

Mayor: Patricia Schaefer, 84; write in Nathan Comeskey, 46

Two council seats: Thomas Bryant, 134, and Bryan Townsley, 124.

Oakville

Mayor: Marvin Jon Creelman, 45 and Incumbent Tom Young, 60

Two council seats: Craig Brown, 96; Gayla Patterson Harshaw, 36; Benita Grooms, 80

Wapello

Mayor: Incumbent Roger Noble, 59

At large - James Keldgord, 60; 1st Ward - Todd Shutt; 17

2nd Ward - Randy Tillman, 29; 3rd Ward -Andy Truitt, 22