Dateline: May 14, 2009

Ford drives over Hill, 183-160

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Clarendon voters handed Mayor Chris Ford a victory Saturday, defeating Alderman Tommy Hill’s bid to be the city’s chief executive by a margin of 23 votes.

Ford, who was appointed as mayor in December, beat the four-term alderman, 183-160.

Hill will remain on the city board since his term as alderman did not expire this year.

Joining the board as a new alderman is Larry Hicks, who got 202 votes. Alderman Ann Huey retains her seat on the board after getting the second most votes, 149.

The city election was very close as Alderman Terry Noble lost his re-election bid by getting two votes fewer than Huey, 147; and Jeff King came in fourth with 145 votes.

A total of 345 people voted in Saturday’s city election, the highest turnout since 2003 when 376 people voted in a city bond election.

The Donley County Hospital District also had a close race as Billy Ray Johnston defeated Jeannie Owens, 189-182, for the Place One seat on that board, and Bright “Bubba” Newhouse III won the Place Two seat, 191-175, by beating Tammy Owen. Melinda McAnear, the only incumbent on the ballot, received 342 votes for her Place Three position.

Voters in the Hedley Independent School District elected two new members to that board with Lana Wallendorff Ritchie and Shelby Shipp each getting 111 votes. Also on the ballot were Gwynne Howard, 72; Carole Ward, 69; and Travis Thomas, 7.

Howardwick’s Del Essary was unopposed for mayor and got 65 votes. Alderman Gene Rogers was the top vote getter in his reelection bid with 47 votes, and Norm Haygood secured the other open seat on the board with 46 votes. Louise Popplewell came in third with 36 votes.