TheTimesTribune.com, Corbin, KY

Elections

Discussion

November 7, 2012

W’burg City Council to return all incumbents

The Times-Tribune

CORBIN — By John L. Ross / Staff Writer

All Williamsburg City Council incumbents were able to retain their seats Tuesday, according to unofficial election results.

Laurel Jeffries-West earned her 10th term on the council with 1,073 votes. “I’m just pleased that everyone put their trust in me again,” she said. “I’m glad to see (the voters) put their faith in me.

“I hope people will come to me with their problems like they always have,” she said.

Erica Broome Harris has her fourth term in office with 1,066 votes. Her plans for the future include furthering the sewer project and helping fight local crime.

Troy D. Sharp was voted in for a second term with 1,045 votes. Like Harris, Sharp seeks to continue work on both the ongoing sewer and water projects. He is also interested in attracting more businesses to the area.

Mary Ann Stanfill earned her fifth term on the city council and said she was “very pleased” with retaining her seat. “We have a fine council in place,” she said. “I’m looking forward to moving forward with many projects, like sewer and water (projects).”

Stanfill received 1,043 votes Tuesday.

Richard Foley also kept his seat during Tuesday’s election. “I appreciate the votes,” he said. “I’m pleased to serve the people of Williamsburg for two more years.” Foley received 964 votes.

“I hope we can solve some of the problems that come our way,” he said. “That’s always a challenge in this day and time.”

Foley said he was pleased the current council will remain in place. “This shows continuity,” he said. “(The citizens of) Williamsburg are supportive of the city council and seem to like it the way it is right now.”

Incumbent Chet Riley will begin his 20th year on the council in January. He kept his seat on the city council with 811 votes. He seeks to continue the council’s work on the water and sewer projects, and like Sharp, Riley wants to attract more business to the area.

Challenger Bill Brown, who did not earn a council seat Tuesday, did receive 655 votes. Had he been elected, he wanted to have a long-term plan for Williamsburg to include infrastructure upgrades, including water and sewer. He also hoped to have all police and fire departments National Incident Management System compliant so equipment grants could be pursued.

Brown also wanted council meetings video recorded and uploaded to the city website.

Whitley County Board of Elections Supervisor Kay Schwartz said the unofficial turnout was slightly lower than in 2008. The Nov. 4, 2008 election saw 54 percent of registered voters cast a ballot. Tuesday’s official turnout is expected to be just slightly higher than 50 percent.

Text Only
Elections