Oak Harbor voters support the incumbent members of the City Council, according to the first count of ballots, released as short time ago by the Island County Auditor’s Office.

It was also a good night for Whidbey General Hospital as the bond proposal appears to be passing.

Councilmen Bob Severns, Joel Servatius, Jim Campbell and Danny Paggao are all ahead of their challengers in the election.

The incumbents say the voters’ message is clear.

“I think we are doing the right thing and the voters approve,” Paggao said shortly after election results were posted at about 8:20 p.m.

“I do believe the citizens are satisfied with the council,” Severns said, “and are wanting to move the city forward.

Campbell, however, noted one race is too close to call.

Servatius, appointed to the position, has a narrow 60-vote lead over challenger Sandi Peterson.

As of last night’s tally, Servatius had 1,370 votes, or 51 percent, and Peterson 1,310  votes, or 49 percent.

“Sixty votes is a drop in the bucket,” Campbell said. “That could change quickly.”

Campbell said he is comfortable with his lead over challenger Skip Pohtilla.

Campbell has 1,477 votes, or 56 percent, while Pohtilla has 1,154, or 44 percent.

Severns also leads over newcomer Lucas Yonkman.

Severns has 1,656 ballots cast in his favor, or 61 percent, while Yonkman earned 1,068 votes, or 39 percent.

Paggao solidly leads challenger Mike Piccone by 1,500 votes, or 56 percent, to Piccone’s 1,180, or 44 percent.

Whidbey General Hospital bond supporters were celebrating Tuesday night as preliminary results show the bond passing with more than a 60 percent supermajority.

Initial results showed the bond was passing with 61.75 percent voter approval.

This is the second time the hospital district attempted to pass the $50 million bond to expand and upgrade the aging facility.

“The returns so far show that well over half our community supports it (the bond) and we hope the 61.75 percent holds,” said Trish Rose, public relations and marketing director for the hospital.

“This is important and we’ll ensure our local community hospital is a high-quality local hospital on Whidbey.”

The bond will pay for construction of a new wing that will include 39 single-patient rooms. The bonds will be paid off in 25 years and cost a property owner 32.2 cents per $1,000 assessed property value. It will cost an owner of a $250,000 home on Whidbey Island around $81 a year.