Mayor reelected, two incumbents lose posts

By By Leada Gore, Hartselle Enquirer
The last time Hartselle elected a mayor to a second consecutive term, Dwight Tankersley was 16 years old. Tuesday night, some 32 years later, Tankersley won that rare honor, earning another four years leading the city.
Tankersley defeated two challengers on Tuesday, receiving 64 percent of the vote, or some 1,528 votes. Challengers Terry Miller received 27 percent, or 640 votes, and Mike Dowdy received 9 percent, or 223 votes.
“I’m excited,” Tankersley said. “We’ve started a lot of things and I look forward to continuing that work.”
Tankersley was joined by his family at the council chambers as the results were read. They celebrated with smiles and hugs and, in his case, a sigh of relief.
Hartselle also gave votes of confidence to incumbents Bill Smelser and Mark Mizell. Smelser, who received the highest number of votes of any candidate, got 69 percent, or 1,619 votes, to challenger A.D. Hargrove’s 31 percent, or 712 votes. Mizell held off two opponents, receiving 54 percent, or 1,229 votes, compared to challengers Bill Partridge’s 28 percent, or 638 votes, and Ron Hammon’s 18 percent, or 420 votes.
It wasn’t a clean sweep for incumbents, however. Two former council members unseated a pair of sitting members.
Tom Chappell and Don Hall, who both lost bids for reelection four years ago, were victorious Tuesday night in a pair of close races.
Chappell received 51 percent, or 1,179 votes, to incumbent Bill Drake’s 49 percent, or 1,114 votes. Chappell had based his campaign on school support, something in direct contrast to Drake, who had come under fire for what some said was his stance against a new high school.
Drake said despite the results, he planned to stay involved in local issues.
In a replay of a match four years ago, Hall faced incumbent Samite Wiley. This time, however, Hall came out on top, receiving 51 percent, or 1,205 votes, to Wiley’s 49 percent, or 1,152 votes.
Hall said he was looking forward to returning to the council and jokingly said he had his navy blazer - the unofficial uniform of council members during meetings - ready.
Wiley said he felt he had “four good years,” and though he was unsure of what he would do next, he knew he would remain busy.
Tuesday night’s results still have to be certified, something the council will do in the coming week. City Clerk Rita Lee said the election went smoothly, with no reported problems.
Priceville mayor wins reelection Mayor Duran Eva mayors victorious
By Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Morgan County voters outside of Hartselle and Decatur returned a long-time mayor to his office for a four-year term while making changes in several city council seats in Tuesday’s Municipal Election.
Priceville Mayor Melvin Duran easily defeated Pat Little with 67 percent of the vote. The vote count was 492 for Duran and 243 for Little.
However, the outcome spelled defeat for three of five Priceville Town Council members. Place 1 incumbent Tim Crow lost to Larry Waddell, 415 to 307 votes; Place 2 Incumbent John Oakley was defeated by Charles Black, 402 to 317 votes; and Duck Livingston ousted Wayne Dunkin, 394 to 329 votes. Incumbents Sam Heflin and Tommy Perry were reelected. Heflin defeated Jerry Welch, 412 to 307 votes, and Perry edged Tom Little, 379 to 338 votes.
Only one of three city council seats up for election in Somerville was retained by an incumbent. Jackie Teague won easily over Regina Bailey, 138 to 82 votes. Opal Mooneyham and Bobbie Jackson lost their bids for reelection. Sheena Dugger defeated Mooneyham, 127 to 82 votes and Tammie Frye unseated Bobbie Jackson, 135 to 76 votes.
Three council races were decided in Falkville. Place 3 incumbent Matt Stiles defeated Bennie Weaver, 121 to 61 votes. Place 4 incumbent David Edmondson was defeated by Place 2 incumbent Bonnie Thompson, 109 to 81 votes; and Ken Winkles edged out Place 5 incumbent Bob Wilson, 99 to 91 votes.
In a race for Place 2 on the Trinity Town Council, Gordon Burden defeated James Whitt, 136 to 17 votes.