Incumbents rule in Dalton

COEUR d'ALENE - The incumbents will be back for another four years at Dalton Gardens City Hall.

In Tuesday's election, Dan Franklin won a third term as the city's mayor. Sitting city council members Steve Roberge and Dick Epstein held off three challengers to keep their seats.

In the mayoral race, Franklin received 356 votes, beating two challengers - Robert Romero and Robert Wright.

"I commend the constituents. They came out, and they raised some issues and we heard them. We've learned some things, and have gotten some great ideas," Franklin said.

It's good when elections prompt people to voice their opinions, Franklin said. He tipped his hat to his opponent, Robert Romero, for creating opportunities for people to be heard.

Franklin earned 55 percent of the 644 votes cast for mayor. Romero won 131 votes, and Wright picked up 157 votes.

Dick Epstein and Steve Roberge were the top two vote-getters in the five-way race for a pair of city council seats.

Epstein received 304 votes, and Roberge received 365 votes.

The pair captured a combined 57 percent of the 1,174 votes cast. Each voter selected two city council candidates for election.

"I'm just glad we had a higher percentage of voters who came out," Epstein said. "I'm looking forward to continuing on the council, doing what the people want."

The remaining city council votes were divided between Scott Jordan with 253 votes, Gary Hagman with 142 and Jeffrey Dickenson with 110.

The winners will serve four-year terms that will begin in January.