2008 Wilmer election results

by John P. Meyer

Residents of Wilmer certainly had a lot of choices facing them on voting day (May 10).

In addition to the election of a mayor (which race lost considerable drama after the voluntary withdrawal of sex offender-contender Brian Sliter), Wilmerites (Wilmerians?) will also be choosing between six candidates to fill two at-large council member seats and balloting to determine which of three other candidates will fill a seat left vacant as a result of an unexpired term.

Winners of the Wilmer elections may want to consider this kind of toast if the measure allowing package liquor sales doesn't win approval

Choices for mayor were incumbent Don Hudson and challenger Teresa Bain. The six folks running for two full-term council seats are Billy Wickliffe, Tiny Lange, James Jistel, Dennis Vandygriff, Vicky Vandygriff and Matias Leal. Seeking to serve out the unexpired-yet-vacant term are Stan Bell, Mary Evans and Marlena Hagen.

Also up for vote is a provision that would allow wine, beer and hard liquor sales (for off-premises consumption).

Who-all will be toasting to victory? Well, Neither Don Hudson nor Teresa Bain could deliver the knockout punch of 50% plus - Hudson counted 169 votes (48%) against Bain's 156 (45%), with still-on-the-ballot non-candidate Brian Sliter acquiring 25 votes (amounting to 7%). For Councilperson at large, Tiny Lange and Matias Leal brought home the most bacon, grabbing 145 votes (22%) and 126 votes (19%) respectively. For the unexpired seat, Marlena Hagen got the most votes, with 126 (38% of total), followed by Mary Evans with 113 (34%). In regard to the voting for alcohol sales, 173 voted for the measure (that's 51%) while 164 (49%) voted against it.