Guess you could say that Tuesday's election results indicated a preference for the status quo. Road bonds were approved, all the incumbents were returned to office, and one former councilman was sent back to the council.

Even the exceptions serve to prove the rule. Jack Johnson failed in his attempt to return to the council, but his opponent, businesswoman Nancy Boyer, is well known and respected and ran a vigorous campaign. Even in the Ward 3 race, which had no incumbent, Vince Ruegamer, a retired banker, would have been considered the "establishment" candidate over Eric Coobs. That's true despite Coobs' endorsement by the Billings Area Chamber of Commerce, which seems bent on making itself increasingly irrelevant in local affairs.

The most resounding evidence of voter satisfaction, I suppose, was the 26 percent turnout. Win, lose or draw, most voters just don't give a damn.