Joel Gerlach will take a seat on the South Whidbey Parks & Recreation District board of commissioners.

The 45-year-old Clinton resident and coach of the South Whidbey boys soccer team led with 58 percent of the vote in the first vote tally on Election Night.

Gerlach touted his ability to listen to the wants and needs of the park-using community, while maintaining conservative financial practices. He garnered 1,997 votes by Tuesday night.

Jean R. Streitler, his opponent in the race, had 1,406 votes. The 42-year-old president of South Whidbey Youth Football League wanted to make the parks a safe place for South Whidbey youths.