By TIM FRANZEN
timothy.franzen@gaflnews.com
VIENNA — Reverend Lanier Roberts, in his first attempt to become mayor, has been successful in defeating Willie Davis for the job.
Following the vote, including all absentee and early voting ballots, Lanier Roberts received 344 to Incumbent Davis’ 293 votes.
Mayor elect Roberts said, “My campaign was a new beginning. Things need to be fixed with the help of the council and some don’t. We’ll be using the grant monies wisely, and I will hold the title of mayor, but all of the citizens will be working together in cooperation for the betterment of the city.”
He is scheduled to be sworn in the first of the year.
Brenda Gramm defeated Mike Roper by a slim margin with 293 to 289 votes for the council seat. The seat had been up for grabs after Dr. Napoleon Williams announced his retirement. Eddie Daniels also received 414 votes in an uncontested bid to retain his council seat.
In the race for mayor of Unadilla, Charles West and Dr. Bobby G. West tied with 252 votes each after including 4 additional absentee and 6 provisional ballots that were approved by officials with the Board of Registrars while Chuck Jones trailed the field garnering 22 votes.
Three posts on the Unadilla City Council were up for grabs and Incumbent Greg Speight retained his seat while John Offenberg and Lewis Lockerman were newly elected to the city council.
How the four absentee and six provisional ballots were distributed was not available as of press time. Jeffrey D. Minor did not receive enough votes to win back his seat and will not be returning to the council.
Sarah Ingram Whittaker, wife of the councilman, picked up at least 204 votes in her losing bid. New Councilman Elect Lewis Lockerman said, “All newly elected officials will be getting together soon to plan for a better government for the city.”
In Byromville, Incumbent Mayor Kenneth R. Lester edged out his challenger, Victor William Clark Sr. with a victory of 76 votes to 72.
In the race for Byromville’s town council seat recently held by Earlie Mae Clayton, Gladys Hardrick defeated Thomas Byron Bragg 76 to 62 while Conshelloah Clayton received 74 votes overcoming Teresa “Terri” Reed Gregory’s 67 ballots. Carla Howard, in a tight finish, held off Joseph Keith Lamberth for the other town council seat, 71 to 69.
Pinehurst’s Post 4 Council race was the only contested race and Connie Christmas handily won over Henry Bowden Jr. with 61 to 7 votes at the polls. Lee Cross and Talmadge Dupree were both unopposed for their council seats. Walter Blount Sr. had resigned his council post and was unopposed in his bid for mayor.
Four people ran in Lilly for three council seats. Incumbents Lawrence “Chip” Dunmon Jr. accepted 29 votes and Frankie Daniels Jr. received 33 to remain on the council, while the other seat will have to be decided after four provisional ballots are counted. Derek Allen received 19 votes while challenger Roger W. Nutt accrued 17.
Pineview in Wilcox County held local elections Tuesday for three spots on the city council. Incumbent Linda Bruton earned her seat on the council with 55 votes. Betty Ewing also will join the council after receiving 60 votes, while Lester “Mann” Mahogany accumulated 54 votes.
Incumbent George Scott was defeated in his bid to remain on the council with 45 votes. Also running were Glenda McMillar with 22 votes in favor and Cecil Black who picked up 17 votes in a losing effort.
