Bible Verse | La Grange Incumbents Set To Return On Town Board
November 21, 2011 – 4:40 pmLA GRANGE – Albert Gray kept a bible verse close to him as the last votes were counted Tuesday night at the La Grange Fire Station.
The words of Isaiah 26:3 locked the town council candidate into a “perfect peace” – or as Gray more simply put it – an unwavering trust in the Lord he needed Tuesday when election judges read unofficial results.
By the slimmest of margins, Gray edged fellow challenger Chris McCallister by seven votes – 229 to 222 -in the two’s fight to seize the seat voluntarily vacated by former councilman Gregory Rouse.
Incumbents Larry Gladney and Clifton Harrison seem to have reclaimed their posts in taking 326 and 270 votes, respectively, in Tuesday’s election that saw 441 voters – of the roughly 1,400 residents registered – cast ballots. First-time candidate Curt Boone only grabbed 152 votes. As an unopposed candidate, Woodard Gurley looked to be in line to be re-elected La Grange mayor for a sixth term.
Gladney, a self-pronounced problem solver for town residents, staked his re-election to a fifth term on the platform more youth recreation and better infrastructure could create jobs and increase local revenue streams.
“I still have a lot to do,” Gladney said.
While better commerce topped Gladney’s list, Harrison remained true to his driving political principle that put him in position to win a second term on the board – a town, state and nation can only grow if the cost of government is at its lowest point.
“I look forward to being back to try to save every dollar I can for the town,” Harrison said.
Gray centered his campaign on restoring a 40-year-old image of downtown La Grange bustling with young ball players and adult shoppers. The trick he said to fulfill an adage of his of “spending your money where you live” is bringing in more business with tax and employment incentives.
“I have based my campaign on my faith and I feel good about it,” said Gray, two years removed from losing a bid for a spot on the La Grange Town Council by 12 votes.
McCallister focused on establishing a board that voted for its constituents and not its personal goals. He found the 31 percent turnout discouraging.
“Folks need to be a part of the process,” McCallister said. “It’s a shame the people died for that right are remembered like that.”
Promoting perks and creating jobs will not make a difference unless the rates to lease commercial space downtown are lowered, Boone said in defining his campaign’s central platform.
“I would have liked to see better turnout, but I will run again,” Boone said.
Wesley Brown can be reached at 252-559-1075 or wbrown@freedomenc.com .
La Grange Town Board (top 3 win):
Larry L. Gladney* – 326
Clifton O. Harrison* – 270
Albert Lee Gray – 229
Christopher McCallister – 222
Curt Boone – 152
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Tags: Bible Verse
