It was a tight race in West York, where a Republican squeaked by with just four votes for a two-year unexpired term and the incumbents held on to their seats.

In the mayoral race, incumbent Republican Samuel Firestone bested Democrat Varlen Gibbs by only 10 votes.

For the unexpired, two-year term, Republican Steven Herman beat Democrat Scott Green by only four votes.

For the four, four-year seats, Shelley Metzler, a incumbent Republican who also won as a write-in on the Democratic ticket in the primary, led with 325 votes.

Democrats scored the other three seats: incumbents Brian T. Wilson and Dawn M. Shue and newcomer Donald J. Knaub.

Failing to secure seats were Republicans Shane Louthian, Michael Druck and Nicholas Laughman.

Wilson said he's excited. Voters stood up and said they like what the current board is doing, he said, and he plans to keep moving West York forward.

"They put their confidence in me, and I'm not going to let them down," he said.

Wilson said he wants to look at the fire department, which has just the bare essentials. He believes the department needs better support, along with the town's highway department.

Firestone said he's humbled and honored to win his second term as mayor. It's not just a title to him.

"I vow to do the best job I can do in the next four years for the residents of West York Borough," he said.

Firestone said he wants to draw more businesses to the town and develop its main street.

He's also

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happy he'll still be able to represent the 36 boroughs in York County at the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs.

Revitalization of West York, maintaining police department staffing and holding the line on taxes topped some of the candidates' lists.

Kathy Myers said they have been dealing with parking problems on Monroe Street, and the current board met with the residents and listened to their concerns. So she voted for incumbents Wilson, Shue and Metzler.

"I wanted to make sure they stay on the council," she said.

Some voters said they simply chose candidates by party.

Carol Schiding of West York said that's what she did. She's been a Democrat her entire life.

David Parthree said he voted straight Republican. He and his dad share the same values, and his father recommended that he vote that way.

The candidates stood outside the Reliance Fire Company and greeted voters as they walked up. At least in one case, the work paid off.

Eartha Anderson said she picked Wilson because she saw him standing there.

"I thought, 'OK. He's out here so he cares enough to be out here, I'll give him my vote,'" she said.

 
Manchester

In the mayoral race, Republican Marcia Stauch bested Democrat Martin W. Keister.

However, Stauch likely will resign as mayor.

Stauch resigned from the mayoral position during the summer after serving 31/2 years because the town lacked a tax collector. No one else wanted to do it.

"I really liked being mayor," Stauch said Monday night.

She figures she'll have to resign so that the town will continue to have a tax collector.

If she does, the council would appoint someone to serve as mayor for two years, York County elections director Nikki Suchanic said. In 2011, the two-year unexpired term would be up for grabs.

 
Franklintown

Benjamin Shea, who appeared on both tickets, and Republican incumbents Alan Rosenberger and Sharon K. Blouch won the three seats.

Incumbent Democrat James Kilgore lost his seat Tuesday.

 
Glen Rock

Republicans Doug Young and incumbent John Peters and Democrat incumbent Lucy Cadwallader won the three seats on council.

The three beat Republican Neal Strein and Democrat Lisa Stare.

 
New Freedom

Incumbent Republicans Gene Andrews, Dennis Sarpen and Brady Terrell held onto their seats. They will be joined by Jeff Halapin, who won as a write-in on the Republican ticket in the primary.

Terrell, who won as a write-in on the Democratic ticket during the primary, received the most votes.

The four bested Democrats Meg Furio, John Glover and Patty Jackson.

Candidates said they were not any burning issues in the town. Those running simply were interested in serving their community.

Some of the upcoming projects candidates mentioned include the building of a new water tower and upgrading the community center.

 
Stewartstown

Republicans won all three seats: Bill Gemmill and incumbents Chris Reed and Gordon S. Wisnom. Richard Shoemaker III received the fewest votes.

For mayor, Republican Bonner Smith beat Democrat Guy S. Hook.

 
York Haven

Audrey Coons, who has served in the borough for years, lost her seat to four Republicans.

Incumbents Bryan S. Householder and Margaret Malehorn won, as well as Stephanie L. Congdon and Patrick Vehar.

Write-in winner?

It's possible that a write-in winner could take the race for Franklintown mayor.

Republican Dennis L. Palmer, who was the sole candidate on the ballot, received 51 votes, but voters cast 54 write-ins.