Sunday, May 11, 2008
2008 Wilmer election results
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.
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.
