BY JOHN A. DARNELL JR.
      associate editor
      Two attorneys were elected as Boardman Township Trustees during general elections held last week. Their wins unseated longtime Trustee Tom Costello who was seeking re-election to a sixth term in office.
      According to the Mahoning County Board of Elections less than 30 per cent of all registered voters in the county cast their ballots.
      Leading the ticket in the race for Trustee was Atty. Matt Gambrel with 3,870 votes. Atty. Steve Yacovone, who was appointed as a Trustee earlier this year when Brad Calhoun resigned to fill the term of Fiscal Officer William Leicht, received 3,635 votes.
      Two Boardman Local School levies were on the ballot. Only one gained voter approval.
      The electorate narrowly defeated a 5.9-mill school issue by 101 votes that, if approved would have become a permanent tax for current expenses. Final, unofficial vote on the issue was 3,671 against the measure and 3,570 for the levy.
      The Boardman Local School District also had a 6-mill renewal for current expenses on the ballot and it was approved by just 79 votes. 5,593 votes were cast in favor of the measure with 5,514 against it.
      Following the vote on the levy issues, Supt. Chris Neifer released a “message of gratitude and commitment” while thanking the electorate for the passage of the 6-mill levy.
      “Your continued confidence in our schools helps to maintain the strong educational programs and services that define what it means to be a Spartan.
      “While we are deeply grateful for this support, we also recognize that the 5.9 mill continuous renewal levy did not pass. We hear you, and we know we have work to do. In the months ahead, we plan to engage our community, answer questions, better communicate the district’s financial challenges and listen to your perspectives. The levy generates $4.2 million dollars, or nearly 8 per cent of our general fund budget. We must still determine next steps.
      “Our commitment remains the same: to provide high-quality educational experiences, safe learning environments, and responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources. Together, we can ensure Boardman School District remains a source of pride and excellence for generations to come,” the superintendent said.
      Also on the ballot unopposed were Boardman Fiscal Officer Calhoun, who collected 5,166 votes; and four members of the Boardman Board of Education---Tom Varley, 4,575 votes; Vickie Davis, 4,345 votes; John Landers, 3,700 votes; and R.Scot Murray, 3,232 votes.
      Upon learning he would not be re-elected, Costello released the following statement via social media---
      “After more than 20 years of service to the people of Boardman Township, my time as Trustee is coming to an end. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve this community—to work alongside dedicated residents, first responders, business owners and fellow public servants who care deeply about making Boardman a great place to live and work.
      “While the election results were not what I had hoped for, I am filled with gratitude for the trust and support so many of you have shown me over the years. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together and confident that Boardman’s future is bright.
      “Thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving you. I look forward to continuing to be an active part of our community in the years ahead.”
      Gambrel posted “Now the real work begins. Boardman deserves better and they’re going to get it! I’d also like to congratulate my opponents for running competitive campaigns. This was a hard fight and you really made me earn it!”
      “Thank you Boardman for putting your faith in me. I won’t disappoint,” Yacovone said.
      Finishing third in the four-man race for Boardman Trustee was Cody McCormick,
      He noted via social media, “The lights fade. The signs come down. But something inside still burns. A lot of people have asked what’s next… truth is, I don’t know yet. Media. Leadership. Politics. All I know is this... it only gets bigger from here.”