Martinsville Mayor Kenny Costin wins Republican primary

Martinsville Mayor Kenny Costin has won the Republican primary. Costin received 690 votes, taking around 42.5% of the vote Tuesday.

Challenger Scotty Manley was second with 586 votes with around 36% of the vote and former mayor Shannon Kohl was third with 348 votes, around 21% of the vote.

After the results came in, Costin thanked his supporters. He also thanked both Kohl and Manley for running clean campaigns.

Costin said running for office is difficult as candidates have to get out in front of people. "It takes a lot to do that," he said.

Costin said, except for one, he has kept his campaign promises made during the last election.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been working in Martinsville for years to investigate and cleanup the Pike and Mulberry Streets PCE Plume Superfund Site.

The toxic plume is believed to have been caused by several potential sources, including the former Master Wear dry cleaning business, in the late 1980s to early 1990s.

Costin said he wanted to install new water wells for the city. "After looking into it, I found the water was safe but the vapor from the chemical was causing problems."

The primary contaminate in the plume is tetrachloroethylene, commonly referred to as PCE. which polluted the city's water supply.

Back in 2005, the city installed a carbon filtration system which removes the PCE from the water.

Costin said, "If we moved the wells, the EPA would not pay for the cleanup."

By leaving the wells where they are, the EPA cleanup will continue.

Costin said the decisions being made today will affect the city for the next 20 years.

This article originally appeared on The Reporter Times: Martinsville Mayor Kenny Costin wins Republican primary