Election briefs

By Staff
Falkville mayor, Priceville council race decided
Falkville mayor Roy Coley outpaced two challengers Tuesday night, winning a second term in office.
Coley received 209 votes, or 67 percent, to Jeffrey Thrasher's 70 votes, or 23 percent. A third challenger, Bruce Hart, received 31 votes, or 10 percent.
Incumbent Matt Stiles won reelection, also. He received 237 votes, or 78 percent, to Bennie Weaver's 68 votes, or 22 percent. All other Falkville races were uncontested.
In Priceville, the only contested race was between incumbent Wayne Dunkin and Saundra Scott for the place five seat. Dunkin won the race, receiving 219 votes to Scott's 133 votes.
Runoff set for Sept. 14
Bill Drake and incumbent councilman Dick Carter will meet in a runoff Sept. 14.
Drake was the top vote getter Tuesday night, garnering 45 percent of the vote. Carter received 31 percent.
All other incumbents lost their bids for reelection Tuesday.
High voter turnout reported
Some 2,983 total votes were cast in the referendum on a 7.5 mill tax increase on Tuesday.
The matter failed 1,987 votes to 996.
Heavy turnout was reported at both Hartselle voting locations.
The most votes were cast in the mayoral race, with some 3,294 residents casting their ballot. Hartselle's City Council is not decided on a district basis, so all voters cast a ballot in each race. The highest vote total in the council races was in the District Two race, where 3,246 people cast a ballot. Bill Smelser outpolled George Hearring and Alvin Abercrombie.