Sheckles loses bid for second term; city to seat a new council in January

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio

JOHN ROYALTY

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014 — Bardstown Mayor Bill Sheckles’s bid for a second term was soundly defeated Tuesday by Councilman John Royalty, whose campaign centered on a what he described as a need to bring change to the mayor’s office.

Royalty received 58.06 percent of the vote — 1,991 — to Sheckles’ 41.94 percent. Royalty’s lead began when the absentee votes were counted right after the polls closed Tuesday and it held steady as city precincts vote results arrived at the county clerk’s office.

Next year as the city’s new mayor, Royalty will preside over a very different Bardstown City Council.

Incumbents Roland Williams, Bobby Simpson and Francis Lydian were all in the top six finishers in the 10-candidate race. The incumbents will be re-joined by former Councilman Fred Hagan, who sat out for two years but decided to run for office this year.

Two newcomers will round out the council — William “Bill” Buckman, a retired City of Bardstown Police Officer and gunsmith, and Kecia J. Copeland.

FAIRFIELD COMMISSION. Five candidates filed for the four seats on the Fairfield City Commission. The top four vote-getters were Shirley Mattingly, Faye Clayton, Don Hardin and Paul J. Kiener.

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