Bartholomew defeats Edgar

Published 12:03 am Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Opp voters have elected a brand new mayor and city council for the next four years.

Businessman John Bartholomew defeated two-term mayor H.D Edgar in Tuesday’s runoff 1,177 to 1076.

“I want to thank God, my wife, family and friends,” Bartholomew said. “I want us to move forward now that this election is behind us for the betterment of Opp.”

Edgar wished Bartholomew “the best.”

“I wish we would have won,” Edgar said. “The people of Opp have spoken, and I wish John the best.”

In District 2, T.D. Morgan defeated Sue Bowdoin 270 to 144.

“I’m delighted that we won,” Morgan said. “But now, we need to come together as a city and work together. We can make Opp a better place for our children and grandchildren.”

In District 3, Mike Booth defeated councilman Mickey Crew 257 to 230.

“I’m excited and it was a good clean race,” Booth said. “Mickey Crew is a good guy. I have big shoes to fill.”

In August, voters elected Mary Brundidge and Arlin Davis as councilmembers in Districts 4 and 5, respectively.

Scores of Red Level residents turned out at Tuesday’s municipal runoff election – both at the polls and to hear the night’s results – as Willie J. Hendrix defeated Deborah Hoffman.

The crowd erupted in cheers as poll worker Jimmy Rogers read the results out loud – Hendrix, 146, and Hoffman, 81.

Voter turnout was huge in Red Level as 80 percent of the town’s 227 registered voters cast a ballot.

“All I got to say is the town has spoken,” Hendrix said. “I plan to bring new changes to this town.”

Hoffman thanked her many supporters.

“This has been a great time in Red Level,” Hoffman said. “There hasn’t been this much excitement in Red Level in as long as people can remember. It’s a positive sign for our community.”

In Gantt, Mayor Missy Grissett was re-elected by 64 percent of the vote, defeating Connie Cauthen.

Grissett garnered 59 of the 92 votes cast, while Cauthen had 33 votes, or 36 percent of the vote.

The town boasted a 60 percent voter turnout as 92 of the town’s 153 registered voters cast a ballot.

“I’m grateful for the wonderful turnout in Gantt, and whether or not people voted for me, I want everyone to know I plan to keep working to move Gantt forward,” Grissett said.