By Scott Harvey
– The results are in, and Northeast Texas voters have chosen who will represent them over the next two years on local city councils and school boards. Unofficial final results from Saturday also show a number of area propositions winning approval.
In the City of Commerce, John Sands, a candidate for Place 1, returns to council after a two year absence. He has formally served on the council and as mayor. Sands defeated Chris Hall, receiving 68 percent of the vote. For Place 3, Incumbent Richard Hill is reelected, earning 60 percent of votes, to 40 percent for Michael Odom. Just under 400 total registered voters cast ballots in Commerce.
Greenville's only incumbent on the ballot, Doug Roszhart, was defeated Saturday by Jeff Dailey, 59 to 41 percent. Dailey will assume the Place 3 position after canvassing. Velma Del Bosque-Hobdy was victorious in her quest to win the Place 4 seat. With 56 percent of the vote, she defeated Sue Ann Harting. Greenville's lone proposition passed with little resistance, 70-30 percent, which will permit bingo games for charitable purposes. 725 total votes were cast for Proposition 1, while each council race received less than 240 votes apiece.
Campbell voters were to choose two candidates for vacant at-large positions on the school board, with Roy L. Smalley (40%) and Frank Owens (41%), emerging from the pack of eight candidates as the top two vote getters.
In Caddo Mills, Wes Ferrell and Patsy Wygal Locker received 26 and 28 percent of the votes, respectively, defeating two other challengers. They'll each earn a spot on the Caddo Mills ISD Board.
Celeste has chosen a new mayor. Larry Godwin soundly defeated Pat Jones, with 83 percent of the vote. Godwin earned 82 total votes, to Jones' 17. The two vacant Celeste City Council at-large positions have been filled by Fred Reynolds (39%) and Jared Godwin (42%). Cletus Holt was eliminated with only 18 percent.
Quinlan voters on Saturday chose two new council members, one in Chris Kiser, who defeated Place 2 Incumbent Carole Petty, 54-47 percent. It was Brandon Frazier winning the Place 4 seat, by a 56-44 percent margin over Donny Brock.
In West Tawakoni, Place 5 Alderperson Winston Dennis narrowly avoids a runoff by earning 50.29 percent of the vote, besting his closest challenger Paul Norris, at 42 percent. Michael Adams received 8 percent. Place 1 Alderman went to Chuck Calkins, who defeated Gerald Rosebure with 52 percent of the vote. 59 percent of voters chose Alan Shoemake over Bill Creed for West Tawakoni Place 3.
Nearly 250 Wolfe City voters came out to cast their ballots for two council seats, with Phil Tanner beating Doug Skinner for Place 1, 68-32 percent, while Ron Ferguson bested Steven Cherry with 69 percent of the vote.
The City of Hawk Cove won two propositions Saturday. Proposition 1 was met with 100 percent approval, with 25 "yes" votes. The measure will create a sales and use tax at .25% to provide for revenue for street and maintenance repair. Proposition 2 received one "no" vote, but overall 95 percent were in favor of the measure, which will create a municipal development district and .25% sales and use tax for financing development projects.
There were two special utility district elections in Hunt County, one of which was still undecided as of this weekend. Three individuals were elected to the Hickory Creek SUD Board of Directors. Allan Malone (29%), Kern Morris (17%) and Jerry Fomby (16%) withstood opposition from three other challengers. As of Saturday evening, the North Hunt SUD Board of Director's race was tied between Charles Brookshire and Robert Dean DeForest, each with only one vote. According to Elections Administrator Mina Cook, there were still six provisional ballots that needed counting, which will occur Monday.
In Hopkins County, Sulphur Spring voters elected John Sellers to Council Place 7. Sellers defeated Charles Oxford, 63-36 percent. Tammy Glover Cooper and Jacquelyn Brice were the top two vote getters for the Sulphur Springs ISD Board, at 23.29 and 23.36 percent, respectively. Randy Rushin's 22.98 percent fell just short.
The top three vote receivers for the Hopkins County Memorial Hospital District Board of Directors are Bill Dietz (30%), Joseph Crouch (24%) and Tim Kelty (16%).
Elsewhere in Hopkins County, Cumby voters chose Cody Talley as its Place 3 Alderman, while Larry While was elected Place 4 Alderman. Voters had ten candidates to choose from for the Cumby ISD Board, selecting Jess D. Heer, Jeff Kinsey and David Barrow.
Leah Lair Conner (37%) and David P. James (26%) held off three other opponents for a seat on the North Hopkins ISD Board.
Eight Fannin County entities held elections Saturday. In Bonham, Michael Evans defeated Warn No. 5 Incumbent Joe Clark 56-44 percent, while Wayne Moore held his at-large seat by earning 58 percent of the vote, compared to Bill Jones' 42 percent.
For the second time since 2009, the Bonham ISD has failed to pass a bond election for school improvements. Saturday's results were much closer than last November, albeit in defeat. 54 percent of voters were against a $24.7 million bond proposal for Bonham High School and I.W. Evans Intermediate. Meanwhile, Lance Davis soundly defeated Juanita Lance for Place 6 on the school board, 62-38 percent, while Chad Burnett edged out Charlotte R. Kearney for Place 7, 52-48 percent.
In Ladonia, Cliff Isaacs, Chris Burch and Amanda Adams won election to the three vacant alderman's positions.
The City of Trenton and Trenton ISD were both at work Saturday. Among five candidates, voters chose Laurie Alexander and Rodney Alexander as council members. For the Trenton ISD, David Bradshaw, Henry Baker and Joanne Reagan Duncan were the top three vote getters.
Windom residents reelected all three council candidates, allowing Ronald Payne, Bob Simpson and Joe Pate to retain their seats.
In Ector, citizens selected Jimmy Dixon, Dana Harris and Kenneth Rhudy as the top three candidates for the city council.
The top vote getter for the Whitewright ISD is Kelly Selman. Voters were to choose two candidates, but it appears there may be a runoff, as Julie Kelper Hames and Tricia Danielle Ladane Bryan each received 20.37 percent, or 66 votes apiece.
In Lamar County, Paris voters elected Rickey Richardson over Alan Boyd for Place 4 on the school board. Richardson received 54 percent of the vote. Also in Paris, 56 percent of voters chose in favor of Proposition 1, to maintain solid waste collection in the city, rather than privatize it.
The Chism ISD had three expiring positions on the ballot. Elected were Lisa Bulter (20%), Paul Hutto (19%), and Dashielle Floyd (18%).
Residents in the City of Roxton also were to choose three school board candidates. The top three vote getters were Jerimy Bell (31 %), Brad Dillard (25%), and J.D. Duke narrowly edged out Sharon Barnes for the final spot with 22 percent.
Prariland ISD Place 3 goes to David Basinger, who defeated Dustin Nation, 52-48 percent.
In Blossom, voters elected Ernie Couch, Roger Johnson and Benny D. Wherley to the three vacant city council positions.
Elsewhere throughout the region, a runoff could take place in Rains County where Bill Gleason only earned 37 percent of the vote for Rains ISD Place 7, compared to Robert Burns' II 35 percent. Rachelle Hooten got 28 percent.
Voters in Fate, in Rockwall County, chose in favor of John Stacy for Council Place 3.
A number of beer and wine propositions passed Saturday, including for the City of Terrell, Alba, Mineola and Blue Ridge. The only area city to oppose the measure was Hawkins, in Wood County. 66 and 64 percent of voters were against beer and wine sales and the sale of mixed beverages.
In Van Zandt County, Wills Point voters selected Deby Frye with 49.1 percent to the mayor's post. Danny LaJone won 44 percent of the vote, while John Foster got 6 percent. There will not need to be a runoff as candidates are elected by plurality in Wills Point. Voters had no problem selecting three of four candidates for the vacant council posts. Oscar Rogers, John Pope and Paul Addison won election.
Voters in Van Zandt County were also strongly opposed to the proposition to establish an emergency services district No. 3, which including the City of Wills Point. If approved, the measure would have allowed for a tax rate not to exceed .10 per $100 valuation.
In Collin County, Gary Lillard was elected to the Blue Ridge ISD Place 3.
Doniie Campbell and John Campbell were the top two vote getters for the Princeton ISD's expiring at-large seats. Ken Bowers was elected Princeton Mayor, and Billy Combest and Bill Glass won Princeton City Council Places 1 and 2, respectively.
In Wylie, Place 1 on the school board goes to Tom Westhora. For the Wylie City Council, Place 5 went to Rick White and Diane Culver won the Place 6 seat.