Published: May 06, 2008 11:22 pm            

ELECTION 2008: Knable upsets Balmer in coroner’s race

Local veterinarian will meet Click in fall election

The loud noise in the corner of the Knights of Columbus Hall Tuesday night signaled a change in the Floyd County Coroner’s office.

Leslie Knable, a local veterinarian who is also a licensed mortician and funeral director, defeated incumbent Greg Balmer by 427 votes. Knable collected 8,277 votes, or 51 percent, to Balmer’s 7,850 votes, or 48 percent. She will meet Republican John Patrick Click in the fall. Click ran unopposed in the Republican primary.

Balmer has been in the coroner’s office for 20 years — 10 years as coroner and 10 years as deputy coroner.

As her supporters cheered at the final outcome, Knable said she attributed her victory to loyal supporters and hard work. She said she was determined to “educate people on the duties of coroner.”

“What a lot of people don’t realize is the coroner does not have to be medically trained,” she said. “I tried to inform people what was involved. I hope my qualifications spoke for me.”

Knable said she didn’t want to take anything away from Click, but considered the primary victory over Balmer her “biggest hurdle.”

“The job is so important,” she said. “The coroner determines the cause of death and whether or not an autopsy is needed. It’s a big job.”

        

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