Two incumbents also claim added terms

By Brian Livingston / staff writer

Despite a caustic letter sent to Newton residents four days before the mayoral election that tried to set race relations back in the town by 40 years, David Carr was able to comfortably win the mayor's seat Tuesday with 68 percent of the vote.

Carr, a former two-term alderman, posted 545 votes to outlast Democrat Robert Moore Jr. He said neither he nor Moore has a clue as to who mailed the letters to white voters but now that the results are in, he is concentrating on everyone, black and white, who reside within the city limits.

"A lot of people, including a good number of the African-American voters in Newton, got behind me there at the end and helped push me through," said Carr Wednesday afternoon. "I'm excited, not only for me but for Newton as a whole."

Carr admitted just like any other municipality, money is tight and everyone will have to be part of the team if the city is to go forward. He was adamant about one aspect of his upcoming tenure as mayor.

"I'm not going to raise taxes," he said. "The people are feeling enough of a burden now as it is with the economy and trying to raise their families. I certainly don't want to contribute to that. But there is one area we do need some improvement and we needed it yesterday — the water and sewer system."

Carr said he may be faced with raising fees in order to revamp the water and sewer system, which is so vital to attracting and sustaining what he hopes will be more business development in the area. That is why he is asking everyone now to tighten their belts, roll up their sleeves and get to work helping Newton progress into the kind of area it can be.

"I have short term and long term plans and believe me, I don't know everything so I'm calling anyone and everyone I can think of to get their thoughts on what we can do to make Newton a better place to live and work," Carr said.

In looking back at the election and campaigning process, Carr said he is very appreciative of the support, both white and black, that he received. He regrets the controversy that caused the dark cloud to appear over an otherwise squeaky clean race run by he and Moore.

"I ran on my qualifications," Carr pointed out. "The sensible people of Newton saw through this terrible attempt to inflame and influence voters."

Hickory

Incumbent mayor Tommy Nichols, who defeated Independent candidate Sylvia Dawkins with 75 percent of the vote, said he is prepared in his second term to improve the town of Hickory by 100 percent.

"There are so many things we don't have right now and the quicker we can get things going, the better," Nichols said.

The one thing Nichols said needs no improvement, in fact he said it was the best not only in Newton County but in all of Mississippi, is the water and sewer system. He pointed to the fact for the past four years he and the former members of the Board of Aldermen worked hard to bring the system up to a level like never before.

"We are ready to go for anything, such as business, factories or more housing," he said. "The veterans cemetery is on our system and we have more than enough capacity to satisfy their needs. I'm proud of that."

But Nichols would like to see more in terms of industry, low income housing and amenities for the people of Hickory. In order to get these tasks from the drawing board to reality, he will have to deal with three new aldermen who have taken over positions on the board.

"I was able to work with the past board and I'm sure I'll be able to work with this one," he said. "I'm not hard to get along with."

In many ways this victory that will allow him to continue his work for the residents of Hickory was sweeter than before.

"It was a fantastic race," Nichols said.

Stonewall

Jackie McHenry is also starting his second term.

He noted a good turnout for the election in which he defeated Scotty Allen 161 to 98. The second term for a mayor is critical in the fact most people in that position have already started projects in their first term that need to be completed if they are successful in getting re-elected.

"I want to continue the improvements begun in the first term so Stonewall can progress," said McHenry. "I'm hoping to secure grant money for street upgrades, buildings and providing and improving on the water and sewer services."

McHenry, who said he is especially open minded to any and all kinds of businesses who may be looking at Stonewall as a home, also wants to take care of the town's own employees.

"I would like to see the working conditions and benefits of city employees improve," he said.

But one of the priorities on his list will be to provide water and sewer service to about 20 homes in a section of Stonewall. Eventually, he hopes every citizen within the city limits will have dependable water and sewer services.

Marion

In the town of Marion, eight people were jockeying over five positions on the Board of Aldermen.

With a very good overall voter turnout of 710 people, all the incumbents were able to reclaim their seats.

Barbara Anthony led all candidates with 112 votes while Bernice Martin, Rita Rawson, and Tammy Taylor followed with 111 each. Bobbie Sherrod rounded out the five women who will make up the board after she garnered 86 votes, five better than the nearest loser.