The Northwest College, Powell Valley Healthcare and Powell-Clarks Fork Conservation District boards are going to have a few new faces next year, while the leaders of the Crown Hill Cemetery District will stay the same.

NWC board

Bob Newsome maintained his seat on the NWC board for subdistrict B, which covers Cody. Tara Kuipers will fill the other open seat in the Cody subdistrict, replacing Luke Anderson who decided not to run for re-election. A third candidate, Richard Jones, came up short in his bid.

Mark Wurzel will also retain his seat on the board for subdistrict A, which covers Powell. Wurzel had two challengers for the Powell area seat seat: Bill Johnson and Karen Elton.

According to unofficial results, Wurzel had 3,222 votes — 58% of the total. Elton took 1,333 votes and Johnson 958. There were 46 write-in votes in that race.

On Wednesday, Wurzel thanked the voters for their support and said he would “welcome their comments and help as the college embarks on major changes to how it delivers on its mission in these times of declining state support and declining enrollment.”

Newsome and Kuipers were running alongside Richard Jones for the two seats in the Cody subdistrict. Newsome had 4,444 votes, and Kuipers had 4,441 votes. Jones had 3,803 votes, with another 89 write-in votes.

“I appreciate the support, and I look forward to continuing,” Newsome said Wednesday.

Like Wurzel, Newsome commented on the challenges the board will face in the coming year, including the COVID pandemic, declining enrollments, and a $2.9 million budget shortfall stemming from diminishing state support.

He also noted the board will be searching for a new president, as Stefani Hicswa, the college’s current president, has accepted a chancellor position with Montana State University — Billings.

Kuipers was enthusiastic about the work ahead.

“This has been a very humbling and very exciting experience! The current trustees are committed, thoughtful leaders, and I have a lot to learn from them,” she said. “There are a number of big issues to grapple with in the months and years ahead, and I’m ready to work hard on behalf of NWC and our communities.”

Newsome said he looks forward to working with Kuipers and Larry Todd, who joined the board in July and ran unopposed for subdistrict C, which covers Meeteese.

Other boards

Four candidates were running for three positions on the Powell Hospital District board, whose members also serve on the Powell Valley Healthcare Board of Trustees.

Bonita “Boni” Katz was reelected to her position with 2,554 votes. Richard Stearns came in with 2,568 votes, and Syd Thompson took the second open spot with 3,319 votes. Bob Graff also ran for the position, and he had 2,136 votes. There were 73 write-in votes in that race.

Stearns and Thompson will replace former trustee Larry Parker, who resigned in June, and Trustee Deb Kleinfelt, who did not seek re-election.

Two seats were up for grabs in the Powell-Clarks Fork Conservation District, as neither Floyd Derry nor Shane Smith sought re-election this year. Abby Shuler emerged as the top candidate in the three-way race, receiving 3,221 votes, or 42.4%. Neil Christofferson secured the second conservation district seat with 2,852 votes, or 37.6%. Greg Mayton came up short with 1,470 votes (19.4%).

There were 49 write-in votes cast.

Meanwhile, the three incumbents on Crown Hill Cemetery board will retain their seats. Bill Metzler received the most votes, with 3,456, or 30.7%, followed by Syd Thompson with 3,391, or 30.2%. The race for the third seat also was close, with 2,311 votes tallied for incumbent Ben Keller (20.6%). He edged out Fred Muffley, who received 2,042 votes (18.2%).

There were 46 write-in votes cast in the race.

As for the board that oversees the Powell fire department, incumbent directors Roger Easum and Scott Heny ran unopposed and were re-elected to new four-year terms.