Published: June 17, 2008 05:56 pm            

Montgomery and Handley mayors retain posts

MONTGOMERY — Incumbent Mayor Jim Higgins found favor with municipal voters last Tuesday, but city residents didn’t throw enough support to the remaining incumbents to help them retain their seats.

Higgins received 243 votes, while challenger Sonya “Sonie” Petry recorded 103.

“I want to continue to work with the beautification committee,” said Higgins. “I feel very strongly that what we need to do here is provide a city that’s clean, to give the appearance we care about it.

“We need to fix things that have been let go for a lot of years, even back when I was in office before. This last council started that process.”

“We also need to strengthen law enforcement,” he added. “We can provide an aesthetic environment, but we also need to be safe. I believe we are safe here.

“We’ll continue to fight the battles all municipalities face.”

Greg Ingram staged a successful write-in campaign for recorder, defeating the incumbent, Teri Lewis, 165-136.

Three incumbent city council members (Rodney Terrell, Whitey Harlan and John Jones) were voted out. There was one council vacancy and one current member chose not to seek another term.

Claiming council spots were Fred Lockard (160), David White (159), Les Thomas (119), Pam Kincaid Lopez (118) and Terrance Hamm (115). Other vote-getters included Terrell (107), Ross Cottrell (103), Harlan (97), Jim Darling (94), Jones (93), Susan Kincaid (71), Libby Evans (62) and Lisa Tignor (21).

There were 17 challenged ballots.

Lockard brings a wealth of knowledge to his council seat. “Fred has 20 years experience on council,” said Higgins. “It’s old hat to him. The first year or so (with committees, etc.) I’ll lean heavily on him until the others get up to speed.”

The winners take office July 1. A swearing-in ceremony will be scheduled June 30 or July 1, Higgins said.



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In nearby Handley, incumbent Mayor Essie Ford Jr. won re-election last Tuesday. Ford tallied 69 votes to 58 for challenger Alice “Skip” Lake.

In the recorder’s race, incumbent Debbie Matics registered 95 votes.

Iva Estep paced the council candidates with 85 votes. Others voted in were: Joanna McClure, 79; Billy Matics Jr., 72; Jack (Dee) Hutchinson, 70; and Matthew Matics, 62.

Others in the running included: P.J. Sullivan, 60; Janet Massey, 59; Nancy Keglor Anderson, 51; and Lois Jean Campbell-Blazie, 33.

— E-mail:

skeenan@register-herald.com

        

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