Residents in the village of New Boston voted in the mayoral election Tuesday, and they elected new members to its Village Council, clerk and treasurer seats.

Mayor James Warren sought re-election this year for a fourth term since taking office in 1993. Warren defended his seat against New Boston resident, and former village councilman, Joe Keeney.

Keeney stood with other candidates and groups of supporters across from the Vern Riffe Community Center on Rhodes Avenue on Tuesday, standing in dropping temperatures for one last opportunity to reach voters.

“I feel pretty good. I've had positive feedback,” Keeney said. “I expected a good turnout, but this went beyond my expectations. A lot of people came out today to vote; not only for the mayor's race, but for council.”

Warren said the last census recorded the population of New Boston as 2,340, and according to the Scioto County Board of Elections, there are 1,323 registered voters in New Boston. Only 895 of those voters are considered “active” by the BOE.

“I'd say we've had close to 500 voters,” Warren said. “For this not being a presidential race, or a senatorial or anything like that, I think it's a great turnout, and that's good for the village.”

Once the night had ended, the BOE recorded a preliminary total of 516 votes cast in the mayoral race - 351 for Warren and 165 for Keeney.

“I feel great that the citizens had confidence in me and what I've been doing,” Warren said.

He said he would spend his next term continuing to develop and improve New Boston.

“I thank the people that did support me, but the voters have spoken,” Keeney said, stating he would not seek another attempt at the office.

Voters also elected four Village Council seats, choosing from eight candidates - Shelly Hickman-Aeh, Kris Lawson, Jon Mills, Stan Parlin, Mike Payton, Gary Stone, William “Junior” Williams and Robert Whisman.

Those four available seats were awarded to Hickman-Aeh (281 votes), Williams (279 votes), Payton (278 votes) and Mills (274 votes).

“I'm very proud that the citizens of New Boston have chosen me to represent them,” said Hickman-Aeh.

She said her first goal will be to clean up the litter in New Boston, and help restore a feeling of community pride.

Mills also thanked his supporters and promised to work hard to make the village a better place for his friends and neighbors.

Kathy Bender and Ricky Whisman both were on the ballot for the first time, for the position of village treasurer. Bender claimed the night with 343 votes, over Whisman's 154 votes.

Bender thanked all of her supporters, and said she was excited to take office.

Lana Loper also was appointed village clerk in New Boston, running in an unopposed race.

“I would like to say congratulations to the other candidates that won, and I'm very proud to have participated in this election. It was a very clean election. Everybody was very respectful, and I appreciate that,” Hickman-Aeh said.

RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY can be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 235, and by e-mail at pdt@ryanscottottney.com.