Upsets and newcomers taking center stage marked one of the most interesting general elections Norwin area voters have experienced in years.

There were tight races in North Huntingdon, Irwin and North Irwin, and Irwin solidified its reputation as a write-in town.

All vote totals are unofficial until certification.

North Huntingdon

In the 6th Ward commissioner race, Republican political novice Lee Moffatt defeated two-term incumbent John Thornton, 476-382, with all votes counted.

A heated race for the 4th Ward seat saw incumbent Republican Richard Gray end the bid of Democrat challenger and former township commissioner Robert Merda to return to the board. The vote was 679-462.

Democrat Angelo Furlin won a fourth consecutive term as 2nd Ward commissioner with 457 votes. He was unopposed.

Though he was exonerated of wrongdoing as board chairman, Mr. Thornton felt a probe of the Western Westmoreland Municipal Authority by township commissioners and the North Huntingdon Municipal Authority, "definitely had a lot to do with me losing."

Mr. Moffatt said of his successful campaign, "I was pushed into running. When commissioners turned their backs on several important issues regarding my home, that ignorance made me think I should stand up and do something about it. I didn't want other people to get the same treatment."

Norwin school board

An interesting race saw Democrats Donald Rhodes, with 5,110 votes, and Casey Harper, with 5,077 votes, finishing first and second among four winners in their first bids for political office. Incumbent Rebecca A. Gediminskas was third with 4,538 votes. In a duel of incumbents, Democrat Jeffrey Rutkowski edged Republican Patrick J. Lavelle by 78 votes for the fourth seat. The totals were 2,823 to 2,745.

Mr. Rhodes, a certified public accountant, said, "I'll work to improve the school district's PSSA scores and will strive to provide a better education for students." Owner of a mega-auto dealership, Mr. Harper said, "I'm glad the voters are confident that I can get things done. My intent is to work with the other school directors to provide the best education possible for Norwin students and support continuing programs to provide the best facilities to accomplish that."

Ms. Gediminskas said, "I've always tried to be an independent thinker. So it's gratifying that the voters had faith in what I've done to bring me back for another six years. I'm proud of the legacy of this board as we knew it ... with the new projects."

Irwin council

Lawyer John Fonzo -- who moved to Irwin three years ago -- put together a write-in campaign in two months to beat favored former borough Councilwoman Virginia DiPrimio for the 3rd Ward council seat, 60-44 with all votes counted.

"I feel very good that I was elected because I haven't lived in the community long," he said. "I'm confident that I will be able to provide independent thinking that will point council in the right direction," said Mr. Fonzo, the former assistant district attorney and municipal solicitor in Venango County.

In Irwin's 1st Ward, political novice Phyllis Faye Thiem turned back an unexpected write-in challenge by another new aspirant, Democrat Phillip Dean Hawk, to win council nod by an 84-2 margin, all votes counted. Democrat Mrs. Thiem beat Mr. Hawk by a write-in vote in the primary election.

Incumbent Democrat Councilwoman Matilda A. "Pat" Altman was unopposed for re-elected to a fourth term in Irwin's 7th Ward and drew 151 votes. In the 5th Ward, incumbent Republican Margaret Watson, who was appointed last year, was elected to a full four-year term with 3 votes.

Irwin also elected its first new tax collector in 25 years. Democrat Linda Bennett will succeed Sam Heasley, who did not seek re-election after serving six terms. She was unopposed on both major party tickets. Ms. Bennett got 534 votes.

North Irwin

Perhaps the most interesting result came in North Irwin, where former Irwin Councilman Edwin "Bo" Anthony, a Democrat, won a seat on borough council in a late unannounced write-in campaign. He got 61 votes as he defeated three other write-in candidates: Ronald Brown, with 41 votes, Kevin Saparano, 30 votes, and Charles Belego, 27 votes.

"I'm confident my experience with Irwin council will help me contribute to the betterment of this community," said Mr. Anthony.

Incumbent Democrats Gordon P. Stove, Paul "John" McIntyre and John M. Lovett, who was appointed in September, won re-election. Mr. Stove got 85 votes, Mr. McIntyre, 94; and Mr. Lovett, 82, on the Democratic ballot, 40 on the Republican ballot.

Other results

In the Norwin Area's two mayoral races, incumbents Daniel T. Rose, of Irwin, and Leonard L. Santimyer, of North Irwin, were re-elected and unopposed. Mr. Rose, with 426 votes, will be serving a fifth term as mayor, Mr. Santimyer, with 104 votes, his fourth.

In North Irwin, incumbent Republican tax collector Linda Zentner was unopposed with 126 votes, while in North Huntingdon, Democratic Treasurer Shelley Buchanan also was re-elected unopposed, with 3,631.