Mail-in ballots impact Leechburg Council race, boost 2 incumbents and knock out another

Mail-in votes for Leechburg Council broke a tie in favor of two incumbents while sealing the fate of another.

Armstrong County election numbers updated Thursday show newcomer John Mrvan remained the top vote-getter with 246 votes, which was a boost of 23 votes from the night before.

Democrat incumbents won reelection Alan Tarr and Chuck Pascal, getting 236 votes and 224 votes, respectively. That earned them second and third place in a race for four open seats.

Newcomer Dustin Waldenville won the last seat with 216 votes.

When the mail-in votes were counted, incumbent Republican Lorrie Bazella fell to last place with 213 votes. There were 36 “unresolved” write-ins even after they were counted.

However, that was not the case Wednesday night. At that time, Tarr and Pascal were tied at 179 votes.

Wednesday’s figures also showed incumbent Bazella had 189 votes, which was one vote fewer than Waldenville’s 190 votes.

“I figured the mail-in (votes) would reshuffle the deck a little bit,” Pascal said Thursday afternoon. “There’s not that much of a difference between the top and the bottom if you really look at it. I always wish more people would vote. Local offices are very important because they affect a lot of things in your daily life.”

County election figures show a turnout of just above 30% in Leechburg, including mail-ins.

Election officials did not return multiple calls seeking comment Wednesday and Thursday.

Bazella has been on council for eight years.

“It is what it is,” she said about the updated figures. “It was a privilege working with the men and women that I worked with. (They’re) very knowledgeable. A lot of them really care about our little community, and it’s nice.”

Bazella said she plans on still being a presence at council meetings.

“I’m going to keep an eye on it still,” she said. “I know when the meetings are every month. I live here. This is my town, too. I care about what our town does, what happens to it. I wish I had more free time and could do more things that I would like to do with council.”

Pascal, a former Leechburg mayor and Leechburg Area School Board member, thanked his supporters and Bazella for her service.

“We’ll continue to work for what’s best for Leechburg as we always have,” he said. “Lorrie has been a valuable member of council. We always had a good relationship with Lorrie. She was very active and valuable member of council. I’m sorry to see her go.”

Tarr said he was confident heading into Thursday that results would change in his favor despite initially being listed below newcomers Mrvan and Waldenville.

“I did expect to make the cut. But as you can see, the people are looking for some fresh ideas and some younger people to possibly carry them out,” he said. “We’re all young at one time and you’ve got to start somewhere.

“With the things that are in the country the way they are, we’re lucky to have volunteers to run for these offices. It’s tough as you can see. I’m just glad to be back on for another four (years).”

Both Mrvan and Waldenville thanked the residents for their support Wednesday and said they were eager to get to work with the other council members.