Eclectic Observer » Eclectic News Aug. 28
Newcomer Wright elected mayor
By David Goodwin
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Eclectic Mayor-elect Gary Wright shakes hands with one of his new employees-to-be, Eclectic Police Officer Kerry Horton. Wright �” a law enforcement veteran �” defeated Councilwoman Linda Thornton Reed for the town’s top elected office in Tuesday’s election. Observer Photo/David Goodwin
Eclectic Poll Inspector Wanda Burt was just about to open the doors Tuesday morning when everything went dark.
The last remnants of Tropical Storm Fay had again knocked out the power, and as the clock read 7 a.m., Tuesday’s municipal elections looked to be in jeopardy.
But, in one of his final acts as Eclectic’s mayor, Alan Nummy rushed to the fire station to get a generator. He plugged in the voting machine and a couple of lamps. For about an hour, Eclectic voters cast their ballots in a soft ambiance, until electricity was restored.
And by the early afternoon, the rain and severe weather had disippated.
And the weather was not the only thing that changed by Tuesday afternoon. Only one opposed incumbent �” Councilwoman Lue Vanie Thompson �” won the election outright. The new faces in town governement started at the top, as relative newcomer Gary Wright defeated Councilwoman Linda Thornton Reed to become Eclectic’s next mayor.
“I’m elated,” Wright said, as he joined other candidates, their families and friends outside Eclectic United Methodist, the only municipal polling place. “I’m excited and ready to roll my sleeves up and start moving this town forward.”
Wright �” a Vietnam veteran with a distinguished career in law enforcement �” defeated Reed with 68 percent of the vote, 189-91.
Among opposed incumbents, only Thompson defended her town council seat outright, defeating Planning Commissioner Greg Bryant 182-73. She received 71 percent of the vote.
“I’m so grateful to the folks who came out and voted for me today,” Thompson said. “I’m eager to work with the new mayor and council. There is a lot of work to be done, and I’m ready to get started.”
Councilman Charles Powell faces a runoff against local businessman Nick Milner. Each candidate received 95 votes, and both said they’d work to win over the 77 citizens who cast ballots for John Martin.
“I look forward to a good, clean race (to the Oct. 7 runoff),” Powell said. “and I look forward to winning.”
Too many times, Milner said, the current town council has been asked for ideas and had none to present.
“You can remain quiet and get nothing done, or you can get me,” he said. “You’ll sure know what you’re getting, and I’ll tell you up front, because that’s the way I was brought up.”
Eclectic Water Works Director Harold Whatley defeated two-term Councilman Jimmy K. Lanier 167-105. Whatley said he wanted “to straighten out a few things” with his four-year term.
“This town is moving in the right direction,” Whatley said. “But there are some things we could iron out. I hope folks will let us know what we need to work on.”
Because the Water Works and Sewer Board is a separate entity from the town, Whatley will continue in those duties. Quoting the opinion he sought from the Alabama Attorney General’s office, Whatley said he’ll only be required to recuse himself from council votes regarding the water works or sewer system.
Facing no opposition, Councilman Thomas Caldwell and former Assistant Town Clerk Helen Shores Rowe were certified as winners at the August meeting of the town council.
Despite frequent rain, voter turnout in Eclectic was moderate. Of 669 registered voters, 289 ballots were cast Tuesday, for a 43 percent turnout.
By total voters, the 2008 election continued a slide in participation. Only three fewer ballots were cast than in Nummy’s election year of 2004. But the voter total paled in comparison to 2000, when 362 voters helped sweep Thomas Coram into the mayor’s office.
Nummy wasn’t eligible for re-election because his family moved out of the town limits.
Incumbents and established officials had trouble securing re-election across Elmore County.
In Tallassee, George McCain, former chairman of the city’s Industrial Development Board, swept five-term Mayor Bobby Payne out of office, 876 votes to 591. On Tallassee’s council, the only opposed incumbent who hung onto his seat was Ward 7’s Gary Moore. Tallassee council member Donny Barton, Hal Miller Art Lamberth and Truett Grant were defeated.
Elmore Mayor Mark Carter also saw administration come to an end, losing to Margaret White by 40 votes.
