Sproul Beats Bickelhaupt For Hospital Seat

WAITSBURG - It was an exciting evening for Dayton's Colleen Sproul, a retired nurse who took a shot at running for a position as commissioner for the Columbia County Hospital District and found herself ahead of her incumbent by 61.03 percent on Tuesday night in the General Election.

With the combined results of Walla Walla and Columbia counties, Sproul was ahead of incumbent Blaine Bickelhaupt by 61.03 percent, 1062 votes. Bickelhaupt had achieved 38.96 percent, 678 votes.

"I think it's pretty exciting - I'm really surprised," Sproul said Tuesday night.

Sproul said she wasn't sure why so many members of her community voted for her .

"But I'm glad," she added. "I'm glad people want the change."

Sproul had decided to run after observing the hospital district going through personnel issues. She thought with her background in health care, she should take a stab at running for the position.

Tuesday, she said she hadn't slept much the night before and tried to have a calm dinner with her husband before the returns started rolling out.

With Bickelhaupt, who will serve just one six-year term, she said there are no hard feelings. Bickelhaupt owns Windermere Real Estate in Dayton and is a lifelong resident of the town.

"I wish Colleen well," Bickelhaupt said Tuesday night. "Evidently, it was time for a change."

Bickelhaupt said he will continue to support the hospital district in whatever way he can.

"She will be an asset to the board," he said of Sproul. "I'm glad to see somebody else take an interest in stepping up and helping our hospital out."

Sproul was feeling glad and relieved. She said campaigning was "crazy" and she's happy with the result.

"I'm just thankful that everything went as smoothly as it did," she said.

The other commissioner seat for the hospital district was also contested and voters sided with incumbent Jack Otterson of Waitsburg instead of Jeff Monyak of Dayton on Tuesday night.

Otterson had earned 1089 votes between both counties and Monyak had earned 512 votes between both counties. Otterson has held the position for eight years.

Another hot issue on the ballot, the Waitsburg Flood Control Proposition, was being handily defeated on Tuesday night. The proposition was rejected by 196 votes, or 63.64 percent. It was approved by 112 votes, or 36.36 percent.

The heated race for the Port of Walla Walla commissioner position between incumbent Michael Fredrickson and Barlow Corkrum was very close Tuesday night. Fredrickson was slightly ahead with 50.82 percent, 4,900 votes. Corkrum earned 49.18 percent, 4,741 votes.

Candidates in close races like the port race in Walla Walla County will be keeping their eyes out for returns due after the next vote tabulation on Nov. 10 at 5 p.m. The county expects to count 2,085 more ballots.

In Columbia County, the next ballot count will be on Nov. 29 at 10 a.m.

Other Election Results:

COLUMBIA COUNTY Mayor of Dayton: Craig George, uncontested Waitsburg School District Director 2: Christy House ahead of Walt Gobel, 53.85 percent to 46.15 percent Prescott Joint Park and Recreation District Maintenance and Operations Levy: Columbia County is tied, at 2 votes for and 2 votes against. Walla Walla County is leaning toward approval with 116 votes for the measure and 62 votes against Columbia County Port Commissioner: Earle Marvin, uncontested WALLA WALLA COUNTY Dixie School District Position 4: Judy Skillings is leading Debra Tiner, 81.69 percent to 18.31 percent