Roxobel votes for change

Published 9:16 am Thursday, November 5, 2015

With the exception of an upset in the mayor’s race in Roxobel, incumbents basically remained in power per the unofficial results from municipal races across Bertie County on Tuesday.

In Roxobel, veteran Mayor Gary Johnson lost his bid for reelection to Alvin Simmons. The challenger received 52 votes compared to 47 for Johnson, according to the unofficial numbers.

The race for Roxobel Town Commission attracted nine candidates for four available seats. Two – David Baisey (who topped the balloting with 52 votes) and Sammy Pruden (46 votes) – of the four incumbents seeking reelection were returned to office. Rounding out the top four are new board members Manuel Joyner Sr. (48 votes) and Carolyn Bracy (44 votes).

Incumbent Henry Boschen (41 votes) and municipal election newcomer Alton Parker (38 votes) placed fifth and sixth respectively. Parker is a former member of the Bertie County Board of Education.

Carroll Minton (29 votes), incumbent Stanley Harrell (28), and Gene Mitchell (26) rounded out the balloting for Roxobel Commissioner.

Other results from Tuesday’s municipal election in Bertie County are:

Incumbents were reelected in Askewville; Mayor Gloria Bryant (17 votes) and Town Commissioners Carla Pesce (16), Michael Baker (14), and Kay Brantley (13).

Larry Drew, Aulander’s incumbent Mayor, ran unopposed and was returned to office with 44 votes. Tommy Hale (44 votes) and incumbent Bobbie Parker (37) were also unchallenged and earned the two available seats on the Aulander Town Commission.

Thomas Waicul (21 votes) is Colerain’s new Mayor as he was unopposed in his bid for the seat. Jacques Turner (21 votes) earned one of the two available seats on the Colerain Town Commission. Write-in candidate Bernie Baker earned the other seat with 10 votes.

Kelford’s incumbent Mayor Bailey Parker was unopposed and earned another term with 24 votes. Incumbent Kelford Town Commissioners Tim Emory (29 votes), Wayne Bland (26), Timmy Eaton (24), and James Bland Jr. (22) were also unchallenged and returned to office. The fifth seat was earned by write-in candidate Jim Harrell with 9 votes.

Three individuals filed for the three available seats on the Lewiston-Woodville Town Council – James Pugh, who sought the At-Large seat, collected 30 votes; incumbent Chris Cordon had 27 votes to return to the Lewiston District seat; and Michelle Gilliam earned the Woodville District seat with 25 votes.

Powellsville voters returned all four incumbents who filed for office and were unchallenged; Mayor Thomas Asbell (28 votes); and Town Commissioners James Peele (25), Carlyle Hoggard (25), and Joseph T. Watford (24).

There were two separate races to fill a total of four seats on the Windsor Town Commission. In one race (for three seats), the leading candidates were incumbents Lawrence Carter (229 votes), Cathy Wilson (220), and Bobby Brown (169). T.R. “Buddy” Shaw placed fourth with 91 votes. The second race had only one person to file to finish out an unexpired term. Jon Powell received 218 votes for that seat.

All votes are unofficial until the Bertie County Board of Elections completes its required canvass of all municipal polling places next week.

About Cal Bryant

Cal Bryant, a 40-year veteran of the newspaper industry, serves as the Editor at Roanoke-Chowan Publications, publishers of the Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald, Gates County Index, and Front Porch Living magazine.

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