PELL CITYMayor
Bill Hereford: 1,273
Joe Funderburg: 662
District 1
Bob Watson: 144
Greg Gossett: 184
District 2
James McGowan: 157
J. T. Carter: 110
District 3
Dot Wood: 146
Ed Pennington: 86
David Crane: 6
District 4
Donnie Todd: 345
Sharon Thomas: 243
District 5
Donnie Guinn: 286
Mack Abercrombie: 96
BOE District 4
Mike Price: 332
Joel Day: 281
Pell City has a new mayor – William “Bill” Hereford.
The retired St. Clair County Circuit Court Judge defeated challenger Joe Funderburg by almost a 2-1 margin, collecting 1,273 votes to Funderburg’s 662.
“It’s gratifying, but it was unexpected,” Hereford said of the large margin of victory in the mayoral race. “My opponent is a fine man with a fine family.”
Hereford was concerned about the high number of provisional ballots cast in the municipal elections, even though it will not affect the outcome of the mayor’s race.
Hereford also said he was looking forward to serving the city as mayor for the next four years.
“I’m excited about the prospects for our city,” he said, adding that his campaign slogan was “Together, lets make Pell City better.”
“I think we can,” Hereford said.
Although the mayor’s contest was settled Tuesday night, many of the municipal races are still in question because of the high number of provisional ballots cast in Tuesday’s election.
An unprecedented total of 185 provisional ballots were cast in the contest.
Pell City Clerk Jennifer Brown said most of the residents who were forced to fill out provisional ballots were not on the voter’s list, and she doesn’t know why.
“That’s not our list,” Brown said, adding that the voter’s list comes from the Board of Registrar’s Office.
She said some voters forgot to update their addresses at the registrar’s office.
Councilman Donnie Todd, who had 102 more votes than District 4 challenger Sharon Thomas, said he believed there were very few provisional ballots in District 4 and 5.
In the District 5 race, Donnie Guinn carried a 190 lead in the unofficial vote count against challenger Mack Abercrombie to clinch the District 5 council spot.
“I’m looking forward to working with Mayor Hereford and the council,” Guinn said.
Todd said his supporters interviewed some of the voters leaving the Pell City Civic Center Tuesday who had to fill out provisional ballots.
“I think your biggest problem was in District 2 and 3,” Todd said. “It also appeared to be a lot in District 1.”
The closest races were in District 1 and 2 with Greg Gossett leading Bob Watson with only 40 votes in the District 1 contest.
“I’m very disappointed overall about this,” Gossett said. “I’ve had several people who have been in District 1 for more than 25 years who had to fill out provisional ballots.”
In the District 2 contest, James McGowan only had a 47 vote lead against incumbent J. T. Carter.
In the District 3 race, Dot Wood had a substantial 60 vote margin against incumbent Councilman Ed Pennington.
“Really, we have about three Districts that are up the air,” Gossett said. “I’m not comfortable with the 40 vote difference with all those provisional ballots out there. Other than the mayor’s race, everything could change real easy.”
In the Board of Education District 4 contest, Mike Price had 51 more votes than challenger Joel Day in the unofficial vote tally.
SYLACAUGA
Mayor
Sam Wright: 1,687
Jim Hethcox: 546
District 1
Jim Heigl: 341
Don Flippo: 254
Pam Landers: 174
District 2:
Manuell Smith III: 212
Harold Ward: 178
District 4
Walter Jacobson: 216
Larry White: 182
Shannon Darby: 162
District 5:
Doug Murphree: 197
Bryan Morgan: 95
Mary Deason: 56
Incumbent Mayor Sam Wright secured another term by defeating his challenger Jim Hethcox. Wright received 75.5 percent of the votes, giving him a total of 1,687 votes, while Hethcox received 541 votes.
“It’s been a nerve-wracking day,” Wright said. “I’m very humble by the votes and the confidence the people of Sylacauga have in me. I’m looking forward to the next four years as mayor and working with the council that’s on board. I want to do bigger and better things for the city.”
Doug Murphree was declared the District 5 council winner with 56.6 percent and 197 votes.
“I’m thrilled to death,” Murphree said. “I was expecting a runoff. I’m proud that I don’t have a runoff. I owe a lot of gratitude to the people in District 5 and to all the people all over town who supported me.”
Manuell Smith III took the District 2 council seat from incumbent Harold Ward. Smith received 212 votes, which was 54.4 percent.
“I won by the grace of God,” Smith said.
Runoff elections for Sylacauga council will be held Oct. 7. For District 1, Jim Heigl and Don Flippo will have a runoff. For District 4, Walter Jacobson and Larry White will have a runoff.
Ken Horn was unopposed for District 3.
MUNFORD
Mayor
Lynn Swinford: 141
Eugene Brown: 19
Incumbent Lynn Swinford won his second term for mayor of Munford last night in a landslide 141-19 vote.
“I’m just proud so many people had the confidence in me to vote again,” Swinford said after seeing the postings that showed his definitive win against challenger Eugene Brown.
In his second full term as mayor, Swinford said his primary concern will be to increase revenue for the newly incorporated town, and he will focus on annexing more property into the town, toward that end.
“We’ll plug along,” he said before leaving with his wife and family for a victory celebration.
RIVERSIDE
Mayor
Rusty Jessup: 411
Charlie O’Barr: 57
Gilbert Norman: 98
District 1
Jimmy Hollander: 70
Edward “Pete” Hicks: 46
District 3
Jonathan Herren: 10
Joyce Silvers: 64
Dennis White: 35
District 5
Bill Cantley: 4
A. DeAngelo Stinson: 21
Kenny Womack: 104
Riverside Mayor Rusty Jessup has been re-elected.
Jessup received 411 of the 566 total votes cast. Candidate Gilbert Norman received 98 votes, and candidate Charlie O’Barr received 57 votes.
“This has been a healthy campaign for Riverside,” Jessup said.
Jessup said he feels it is healthy for the town leadership to be out in the community speaking to the citizens about their concerns.
“I would like to thank my opponents, Gilbert Norman and Charlie O’Barr, for running clean and honorable races,” he said. “Our town will be better now because of their efforts, as well as mine. I appreciate the effort put in to make our town better, and I hope they will continue to stay involved and care about the direction our town is going.”
In District 1, Councilman Jimmy Hollander has been re-elected.
Hollander received 70 votes, and opponent Edward “Pete” Hicks received 46.
“This is a great victory for the direction Riverside is going,” Hollander said.
Hollander said a few individuals were unhappy with the direction Riverside was going, but the election proves the majority of Riverside residents are happy with the direction Riverside is going.
“We will continue to work and keep Riverside going in that same direction,” he said.
In District 3, Joyce Silvers has been elected.
Silvers received 64 votes, candidate Jonathan Herren received 10 votes, and candidate Dennis White received 35 votes.
“I want Riverside to grow,” Silvers said. “I want to do something for everyone in Riverside, not just the residents in my district.”
Silvers said getting out and visiting the residents in her district opened her eyes up to issues that affect those residents.
“I am excited to be able to get out and help those residents,” she said.
In District 5, Kenny Womack has been elected.
Womack received 104 votes, candidate Bill Cantley received 4 votes, and A. DeAngelo Stinson received 21 votes.
“I want to thank my friends and neighbors and my wife, Mary Jane, whose hard work and determination helped me win this campaign,” he said. “I will do my best to help my town grow and prosper in the future. To all my District 5 neighbors, if you ever need my services, please feel free to call on me any time.”
In District 2, Rachelle Painter went into office unopposed.
In District 4, Rob Hayes went into office unopposed.
Candidate Charlie O’Barr had no comment, and candidate Gilbert Norman was immediately unavailable for comment.
“It’s been a nerve wracking day,” Wright said. “I’m very humble by the votes and the confidence the people of Sylacauga have in me. I’m looking forward to the next four years as mayor and working with the council that’s on board. I want to do bigger and better things for the city.”
Doug Murphree was declared the District 5 council winner with 56.6 percent and 197 votes.
“I’m thrilled to death,” Murphree said. “I was expecting a runoff. I’m proud that I don’t have a runoff. I owe a lot of gratitude to the people in District 5 and to all the people all over town who supported me.”
Manuell Smith III took the District 2 council seat from incumbent Harold Ward. Smith received 212 votes, which was 54.4 percent.
“I won by the grace of God,” Smith said.
Runoff elections for Sylacauga council will be held Oct. 7. For District 1, Jim Heigl and Don Flippo will have a runoff. For District 4, Walter Jacobson and Larry White will have a runoff.
Ken Horn was unopposed for District 3.
CHILDERSBURG
Mayor
B.J Meeks: 758
Charles Woods: 422
Crystal Ricks: 116
Ward A
Jimmy Payne: 174
Willie J. “Bill” Ham: 54
Sherie Box: 40
Ward B
Michelle Mizzell: 139
Tom Jeff Duvall: 133
James W. “Pete” Haisten: 82
Ward C
Bonnie Wallace Carter: 113
Charlie D. Woodruff: 99
Robbin Cobb: 39
Ward D
Billy Lester: 140
Glenn Stubblefie: 89
Ward E
David Dunlap: 62
Charles Reynolds: 62
Ralph R. Rich: 60
Childersburg Mayor B.J. Meeks was re-elected Tuesday night for his third-consecutive term, defeating opponents Charles Woods and Crystal Ricks.
“I thought both candidates ran a good race,” Meeks said. “A lot of issues were brought to the forefront. I’m humbled by this; it puts pressure on you when people put that trust in you.”
As for the five City Council spots up for grabs, three will have run-off elections in October.
In Ward A, Jimmy Payne, who served on the council from 2000-2004, defeated incumbent Willie J. “Bill” Ham and Sherie Box. Payne said he’s glad the election is over with no run-off in his ward.
“I’m glad to be going back,” Payne said. “I appreciate the support from all the voters.”
Michelle Mizzell and Tom Jeff Duvall will be in a run-off for the Ward B seat. There will also be a run-off in Ward C between Bonnie Wallace Carter and Charlie Woodruff, who received 113 and 99 votes, respectively.
“As far as I’m concerned, it was a fair race,” said Billy Lester, who defeated incumbent Glenn Stubblefield for the Ward D seat. “I guess the people spoke.”
Ward E will also have a run-off between incumbent councilman David Dunlap and Charles Reynolds, who each received 62 votes.
City Clerk Sandra Donahoo said fewer people came to the polls this year than in 2000, but said the 1,296 votes was still a good vote turnout.
OAK GROVE
Place 3
Sue Rogers: 65
Clemmie Lewis: 34
In Oak Grove, Sue Rogers defeated current mayor Clemmie Lewis for the Place 3 seat on the Town Council, receiving 66 percent of the 99 votes.
“I would like to give God the glory for the results of this election. He’s the reason I’m here,” Rogers said. “Thanks to the people of Oak Grove for voting for me…I’m going to work hard and do the best I can for the town of Oak Grove.”
Other council members, who were unopposed after the qualification deadline on July 15, were appointed without opposition to their posts at the council’s regular meeting on July 15.
Town Clerk Kelly Higginbotham said voter turnout was good this year, despite the weather conditions.
“For having only one place on the ballot, turnout was more than we expected,” Higginbotham said.
LINCOLN
Mayor
Lew Watson: 626
Frank Gunter: 411
Ward 2
Billy Pearson: 182
Johnny Webster: 80
Ward 3
Mildred Trammell: 89
Chris Watson: 58
Raymond Lane: 38
Ward 5
Bud Kitchin: 193
Jean Burk: 112
There will be some changes in city government in Lincoln following Tuesday’s election, but not in the top office.
Mayor Lew Watson won a ninth term in office Tuesday by besting Frank Gunter 626 votes to 411 votes.
“I deeply appreciate all the people who worked with me to give me the opportunity to continue to serve,” Watson said after the results were in. “I am very humbled, and I am very pleased with the turnout, especially with the weather this morning. There is a lot that I hope to get done in the next four years as I continue to serve.”
In Ward 1, incumbent Sadie Britt will return to office unopposed.
In Ward 2, incumbent Billy Pearson also defeated challenger Johnny Webster, by a margin of 182 to 80. He will now be kicking off his sixth term.
“I am really amazed,” he said, “especially with the turnout from all over my ward. I had helpers that made calls and knocked on doors. And I plan on doing a good job, because I know what people want. I was unopposed last time, so I haven’t really done this since 2000. We’ll be having workshops and will be working on our streets and roads. We’ll be prioritizing, and doing the worst first. There are roads all over town that need to be resurfaced.”
Pearson also said he had an advantage in that he is retired.
“I am always there. You can always find me, and I can go wherever I need to, to Montgomery or Washington, D.C., or wherever I need to go.”
The only three-way race in Lincoln is also the only one where there will be a runoff. Mildred Trammell came in first place with 89 votes, to Chris Watson’s 58. Former Councilman Raymond Lane came in third, with 38 votes.
The runoff election will be Oct. 7.
“I want to thank all my supporters,” Trammell said. “They came out in spite of the pouring rain. We got really good turnout for this weather. I would just ask for everyone’s continued support in October.”
Watson could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
In Ward 4, incumbent H.H. “Kurt” Kuykendall was unopposed.
In Ward 5, Bud Kitchin defeated incumbent Jean Burk, 193 votes to 112.
“I am awed by the work of my team,” Kitchin said. “Volunteers came out and said, what can we do. I think I must have made 200, 250 friends in Ward 5, and not all of them voters. But Debbie and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome, and I would also like to congratulate Jean Burk on running a clean race.”
Daily Home staff writers David Atchison, Elsie Hodnett, Chris Norwood, Antrenise Cole, Kendra Carter and Katherine Poythress contributed to this story.
