Yeargin takes early lead in Green mayor's race. Incumbents leading in Norton, Barberton

Voters in Barberton, Norton, Green and Tallmadge went to the polls Tuesday to choose who will lead the Summit County cities in coming years.

In Barberton, Mayor William Judge was seeking a fourth term. He faced Republican Megann Eberhart after prevailing over Councilman Shaun "Rocky" Jaber in the primary. Judge took an early lead Tuesday night over Eberhart with absentee and early walk-in voting tabulated. Judge, a Democrat, led 701 to 375, or 65.15% to 34.85%, over Eberhart, a Republican.

Much of the campaign had focused on traditional local issues such as street conditions in the Magic City and the pace of the city's economic rebound from the loss of Babcock & Wilcox to Akron in 2020.

Council members Barbara Crouse Babbitt or Rocco Yeargin will succeed Green Mayor Gerald Neugebauer

In Green, with Mayor Gerard Neugebauer term-limited, two council members were squaring off.

Councilwoman Barbara Crouse Babbitt had said she hopes to maintain the city's status as a magnet for business while restraining city spending.

Rocco Yeargin had said he will focus on balancing the needs of neighborhoods and economic development.

Yeargin took a strong early lead, 1,054 to 777, or 57.56% to 42.44%.

Green resident Rick Taylor said he voted for Yeargin.

"Better choice for the city," Taylor said. "He'll lead the city in the right direction in the future. The other candidate, not so much."

Craig Greenlee also voted for Yeargin.

"His experience on council proved that he would be the best administrator for the city," said Greenlee.

Council members Carol Kilway or Dennis Loughry to replace longtime Tallmadge Mayor David Kline

In Tallmadge, voters also chose between two council members after longtime Mayor David Kline opted not to run.

Democrat Carol Siciliano-Kilway led Republican Dennis K. Loughry 896 to 487, or 64.79% to 35.21%. Both Sicilino-Kilway and Loughry are on city council.

Both candidates ran on their ideas about what the city needs, and they sometimes overlapped on what they believe those needs are.

Loughry had said the city needs a strategic plan to set goals and help direct the future course of Tallmadge.

Kilway had said she will create a position in the city to concentrate on economic development.

Norton voters decide on incumbent Mike Zita or challengers Charlotte Whipkey or Amber Johnson

Norton voters chose from three candidates for mayor.

Mayor Mike Zita, a known quantity in the city, had been criticized by some residents for a large residential development taking place on a former golf course and perceptions that his administration had been too accommodating to developers.

Zita was outpacing challengers Amber Johnson and Councilwoman Charlotte Whipkey with early votes counted. Zita had 382 votes, with 171 for Johnson and 59 for Whipkey.

Whipkey is known for her active role on council and, most recently, for her criticism of the Brookside Greens development and opposition to a proposed industrial development rejected by council.

Johnson, a former city employee, was Zita's other opponent. She had said she'll bring accountability to the office and came with extensive knowledge of city finances.

Kasey Bolyard, 33, has lived in Norton for a year. Bolyard cast her vote for mayor for Johnson.

"I got to have a really good one-on-one conversation with her at the apple cider festival and kinda hear her perspective on things," Johnson said. "In general, I do like shaking up incumbents if people have been in office for a long time. I really liked her perspective on how she has experienced, has seen, behind the scenes, some of the corruption."

Linda Carter, 75, voted for Whipkey for mayor.

"Well, Amber Johnson, I would have voted for her, but she is listed as a Democrat and they run our country into the ground, so there's no way I'm going to vote for a Democrat. And Mike Zita — I think it's just time for a change."

Leave a message for Alan Ashworth at 330-996-3859 or email him at aashworth@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @newsalanbeaconj.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Results: Barberton, Green, Norton and Tallmadge voters decide on mayor