Newcomer Koth wins election Hampshire village board

Newcomer Toby Koth was elected to the Hampshire village board Tuesday, apparently knocking off 30-year incumbent Orris Ruth.

Also elected were incumbents Janet Kraus and Rob Whaley.

Unofficial results showed Koth leading with 226 votes. Kraus had 223 votes followed by Whaley with 200 votes. Each was elected to a four-year term. Ruth, who has served on the village board almost continuously since 1983, received 135 votes.

"I think the people who attended saw it was time for a change," Koth said Tuesday. His priorities include attracting more business to Hampshire.

"Some of the older guys have done well but it's time to move forward," he said.

Koth advocated hiring a full-time administrator for the village and said the village should update its comprehensive plan now that the economy has improved.

Kraus, a trustee since 2007, and Whaley, first elected in 2011, said the village should revisit its comprehensive plan. Ruth opposed spending money to update the plan, saying trustees have deviated from the plan in the past,

• Daily Herald staff writer Harry Hitzeman contributed to this report.