The City of Cherryvale is in uncharted waters after an election error.

 

Current Ward Two Council Member Norman Johnson inadvertently filed in the incorrect ward and ended up with the most votes in both wards one and two. At last night's Cherryvale City Council Meeting, Johnson explained that he did not confirm that the information he received from the election office was correct when he filed.

 

On election day, Montgomery County Clerk Ami Standridge issued a statement saying that she was not allowed to remove Johnson's name after the filing deadline. Yesterday, the Montgomery County Commission certified the election results, and city and county officials are working to figure out the legal implications. Cherryvale City Attorney Seth Jones says he has reached out the the Kansas Secretary of State for guidance. Jones says there may be a couple of different options to explore, but he's confident something can be worked out by the time the new seat starts in January.

 

In other business at last night's meeting, a proposed nudity ordinance failed by a vote of 3-2.  Council members also heard a prospective engineering report on expanding the sewer system to accommodate the new industrial park and economic corridor.