From staff reports

WILLIAMSPORT- The voters have spoken, and the City of Williamsport will retain a strong mayor-council form of government.

Two referendums, one for a council-manager under optional charter, and one for council-manager under state Home Rule Law, were soundly defeated by city voters in Tuesday’s election.

Unofficially, there were 4,390 no votes for the charter manager and only 2,467 yes votes. There were 4,516 no votes for the home rule manager and 2,300 yes votes, resulting in a victory for the strong mayor-council form of government.

The race appeared an unofficial victory by 9:30 p.m. for those voting no to both referendums.

In recent weeks, there was a public advertisement campaign in media outlets to vote no to the referendums.

It was a late surge of individuals who were spreading the suggestion to vote no to both referendums.

The strong mayor-council has been operating since 1972.

The charter commission, elected last November, formally disbanded in early August.

The Government Study Commission on home rule held a final informational meeting last week.

So it’s disappointing that we didn’t win I kind of figured that we wouldn’t once this no campaign started with a very simple message which was vote no for both questions. somebody said to me today well Williamsport has always afraid of change and it seems as if today that was true” said Alison Hirsch, Government Study.

After the vote, Campana said he will consider running for another term and would decide early next year.

Many said the referendums were really about trying to get Campana out of office.

But the mayor said he was “humbled” by the vote, and pledged to work more cooperatively.