AULANDER – There are major changes in the governing body of the Town of Aulander after Tuesday’s municipal election.

Long-standing incumbent mayor Joe R. Jernigan Sr. was voted out of office by a landslide of 163-40.

Mayor-elect Larry Drew earned the seat by collecting the top amount of ballots.

Drew, 57, was born and raised in Aulander, but left for a number of years. He returned three years ago with his wife and two children.

&uot;I’d like to thank all the citizens of Aulander for turning out in record numbers for the vote yesterday,&uot; Drew told the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald on Wednesday.

He continued, &uot;I appreciate and am flattered by their confidence and would like to let them know they will have a voice in their local government.&uot;

&uot;I’d also just like to express my appreciation to Joe Jernigan for his years of service to the community, as well as Bobbie Parker for her years of leadership and contributions to our community,&uot; he added.

Ronald Poppell also ran for the mayor’s seat, but received only 13 votes.

In addition to the changeover in the mayoral seat, there is also a new person on the Aulander Board of Commissioners.

Newcomer Tony Todd was the second highest vote-getter in that race with 125 votes.

Three ran for the vacant seats, but only two were open.

Incumbent Jeanette Tinkham safely kept her position by earning 150 votes, but fellow incumbent Bobbie Parker was voted out by garnering only 91 ballots.