Originally Published: 11/4/2009      
By Mary E. Young

• City Councilman Stephen P. Fuhs loses his bid for a second term, but three county row officers and three judges keep their posts.
• Tuesday's general election produced few surprises.

In the city, where Democrats outnumber Republicans, Democrat Francis Acosta, 33, ousted Republican City Councilman Stephen P. Fuhs, 58, according to complete but unofficial results.

Fuhs had sought a second term.

Three row officers were involved in heated campaigns that ended in their favor.

Returned to office for four more years were Coroner Dennis J. Hess, 56, a Spring Township Democrat; Prothonotary Marianne R. Sutton, 73, a Birdsboro Republican; and Treasurer Nelson H. Long, 70, a Spring Township Republican.

Berks County Judges Linda K.M. Ludgate, 67, a Reading Democrat, and Scott D. Keller, 59, and Scott E. Lash, 53, both Cumru Township Republicans, won their retention votes.

Also returned to her seat on the bench was District Judge Ann L. Young, 44, a Sinking Spring Republican who defeated Democrat Dave Debiec, 57, a retired teacher from Spring Township.

City Council will welcome another new member, Donna Reed, a 56-year-old Democrat who previously served on council from 2002-06. She will take the seat in District 5 vacated by Maria Baez, who decided not to run for a full term.

Councilman Stratton P. Marmarou, 76, District 4 representative, was re-elected.

Returning to their seats on the Reading School Board are Democrats Harry P. Storch Jr., 79, and Yvonne L. Stroman, 45.

Joining them will be newcomers Isamac Torres-Figueroa, 36, and James Washington II, 48, both Democrats.

William Cinfici, 39, a Republican, was not re-elected.

Other offices filled Tuesday were school boards, township supervisors, borough councils, tax collectors, auditors, constables and poll positions.

Turnout was low, as was expected in an off-year election.

A specific turnout figure was unavailable late Tuesday.

Contact Mary Young: 610-478-6292 or myoung@readingeagle.com.