by Geoff Fox
Hancock residents turned out in low numbers Monday, April 17, to make their voices count as they voted to elect a mayor and two councilmen.
Incumbent Councilman Joshua McCusker and newcomer Richard Strong were vying for the two seats on Hancock town council and running unopposed for the seats.
Incumbent Mayor Tim Smith was looking to be re-elected and faced Councilman Roland Lanehart, Jr. and Preston Hall for that seat.
Lanehart won easily with raking in 134 votes. Smith finished with 74 and Hall 9.
In the council race, McCusker pulled in 168 votes and Strong received 135 votes. Both were already guaranteed their seats as they were unopposed in their race for two seats.
Election officials said there were 219 total ballots cast with 10 absentee votes and 209 in person ballots. There are 1,079 voters in Hancock, according to county election records.
Town officials will hold a special town meeting on Monday, May 8, for the swearing in of the new mayor and councilmen. The regularly scheduled monthly town meeting will be held the following night on Tuesday, May 9.
