Loch Lloyd trustees ousted in Tuesday’s election

By Kathy Feist

Loch Lloyd residents voted to oust three members of the Board of Trustees in favor of their challengers, all of whom were from the Planning & Zoning Commission. 

Jill Worstell-Benjamin (19.22%), Andrew Elsberry (16.86%) and Chuck Etherington (16.71%) will replace Ruth Withey (16.63%), Chairman Randal Schultz (16.24%) and Stevie Douglas (14.35%). There were 1,275 votes counted. 

The election comes on the heels of a highly controversial housing proposal on a former golf course. On February 28,  the Board of Trustees approved rezoning for the housing project despite the Planning & Zoning Commission’s recommendation to reject the application until certain variables were met. Those variables included having the developer conduct studies and meet with the South HOA where the golf course is located. Instead the Trustees created a 40-page developer’s agreement filled with promises signed by the developer. The Board of Trustees voted 4-1 to approve rezoning. A month later, the South HOA filed a lawsuit alleging conflict of interest based on trustees’ memberships to the Loch Lloyd Country Club, owned by the housing developer. 

The five-member Board will now lean differently in regards to the South HOA housing development. It remains to be seen how the election will affect the lawsuit filing.  

Results from the Cass County Election Authority

Stevie Douglas    183     14.35% 

Chuck Etherington     213     16.71% 

Ruth Withey     212     16.63% 

Randal L. Schultz      207      16.24% 

Andrew Elsberry     215     16.86% 

Jill Marie Worstell -Benjamin     245    19.22% 

1,275 votes