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Two incumbents unseated in Walthourville
Walthourville and Riceboro mayors re-elected
Bill Austin
Bill Austin is mayor in Riceboro. - photo by File photo

Daisy Pray will serve as mayor once again for the city of Walthourville. Pray defeated her challenger, Carrie K. Anderson, 237 votes (65.5 percent) to 125 (34.5 percent).

In a message to the Coastal Courier, Pray said she is excited about the election result. She said she appreciates the voters’ faith in her, and her victory illustrates Walthourville’s belief in progression and transparent government, under which she said her administration operates.In the City Council Post 5 seat, Vincent K. Pray defeated incumbent James Hendry. Pray had 193 votes (55 percent) to Hendry 158 (45 percent).

“Anytime you run, you like to win,” Hendry said. “I served for 24 years, and I have no animosity towards my opponent. But I’m satisfied with the election and have already served for 24 years.”

Pray could not be reached for comment by Friday evening.

Larry Baker unseated incumbent Sarah Hayes for City Council’s Post 3 seat with an outright majority in a three-way race. Baker had 184 votes (52.7 percent), Hayes 129 (37 percent) and Sadaetris Smith 36 (10.3 percent).

Baker said that he feels great about the results.  

“I have not been attending the (City Council) meetings prior to my election, so I need to go and find out what directions we’re going in and what directions we need to go in,” he said. “The most important thing is for the city and citizens to be involved. … I am available. I am going to have an open-door policy. I appreciate all the votes, but you need to be active. But bring your concerns, and we’ll work it out.”

Baker added that residents are yearning for more information, and he hopes City Council can produce a newsletter to keep residents informed.

Walthourville residents also approved an ordinance for Sunday package alcohol sales in a 209-114 vote (64.7 percent to 35.3 percent).

Mayor Pray said the ordinance was drafted and researched by the city attorney, Andrew Johnson, then put on the ballot. With the voters having approved of the measure, Sunday alcohol sales will go into effect Jan. 1. The first Sunday on which package alcohol can be sold in Walthourville is Jan. 3.

In Riceboro, all the incumbents were re-elected. Mayor Bill Austin easily won another term as mayor, capturing 144 votes (56.3 percent) in a three-way race. Challenger Joe Harris received 86 votes (33.6 percent), and former mayor Gregory Richardson had 26 votes (10.2 percent).

City Council incumbents Chris Stacy, Tommy Williams, David Miller and John Young were the top four vote-getters in a seven-way race. They were the top four vote-getters in the seven-way race: Williams received 187 votes (20.1 percent), Stacy 181 (19.5 percent), Miller 176 (18.9 percent) and Young 161 votes (17.3 percent). The challengers were far behind: Louise Brown had 94 votes (10.1 percent), Vanessa Collins-Roberts had 75 (8.1 percent) and Charles Jones had 56 (6 percent).

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