Dateline: May 8, 2003

Elections produce narrow wins

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Only one vote separated three of the seven candidates running for two positions on the Clarendon Board of Aldermen when local elections were held Saturday.

Former alderman Bobbie Kidd was easily returned to office with 125 votes, but incumbent Alderman Michael Tibbets pulled out a one-vote victory over fellow incumbent Bob Watson, 81 to 80. Candidate Allen Estlack was fourth with 79.

City Secretary Linda Smith said Monday afternoon that Alderman Watson is considering asking for a recount of Saturday’s vote. He has until May 8 to make that decision and would have to pay fees totaling about $55 – win or lose – if he makes the request.

Only 212 Clarendon citizens cast ballots this year, down from 257 last year. Mayor Tex Selvidge, running unopposed, received 162 votes. Other candidates for aldermen were Carl Draper, 15; Ricky Rattan, 13; and Jimmy Swinney, 6.

Razor thin elections were also the order of the day elsewhere in the county.

In Howardwick, former alderman Nancy Davis was elected mayor by a five-vote margin over Alderman Bobby Murdock. The final count was 66 to 61.

Aldermen Dewey Linley and Mike Rowland were running unopposed and received 89 and 108 votes. A total of 127 people cast ballots in Howardwick, more than double the 62 who voted last year.

In the election for the Place Two seat on the Donley County Hospital District Board of Directors, challenger Alan Fletcher squeezed out a six-vote win against incumbent Nelson Christie, 215 to 209.

Incumbent Andy Wheatley handedly defeated challenger Bill Holden, 293 to 105, for the Place Three seat, and Don Thornberry was unopposed and garnered 340 votes for his Place One seat.

A total of 436 people voted in the hospital district election. That represents only 17.4 percent of the registered voters in Donley County.

The Hedley School Board race was the only election without close finishes. Ninety-nine people turned out to reelect Cary Don Neely and Troy Monroe with 70 and 65 votes. Challengers Dan Bollin and LeAnn Marcum netted 38 and 15 votes respectively.