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Two Azle school board incumbents earned new terms in office via Saturday’s local election. However, major change was afoot in Reno, where citizen voters made a dramatic change at the top.
And the coup was even more complete in the Weatherford College board race, where voters ousted every incumbent.
Place 3 AISD board incumbent Marsha Scott defeated challenger Dennis Kraft 319-184 to win another term in office. Scott captured 63.4 percent of the vote. Place 4 incumbent Shannon Hart captured a whopping 73.7 percent of the vote to outdistance challenger ChrisSt. Valentine 367-131. “I am very thankful for the support that the community has given me,” Scott said.
She said her first order of business to work with the school district to get more students graduated and successful on the state-mandated Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test. “What can the board do to support the teachers and administrators?” she asked. “I definitely think that the new alternative program is a huge step in meeting the varied needs of our students.” There is one change on the Azle city council this term. Newcomer Bill Jones replaces Eddy Wood Jr. who decided not to seek re-election. Place 4 councilman Paul Crabtree, Jr. and Place 6 Councilwoman June Earp were both unopposed. Lakeside election close Three seats on the Lakeside City Council were unopposed. Mayor Pat Jacob, and councilmember Place 5 Gaspare LaDuca were unopposed for reelection. Don Pitts, appointed to Place 1 upon the resignation of Stephen Howe, was unopposed in his bid for the seat. However, Place 4 incumbent Vonnie Massingill narrowly survived a write-in campaign by Dale Martin. Massingill received just over 50 percent of the votes with a total of 88 votes cast for her. Martin had 86 votes. P’Bay incumbent loses In Pelican Bay, place 3 incumbent Renee McWhorter lost to former alderman Jimmy Sparks by a 65-20 margin. Clifford Tynes, the place 4 alderman, was unopposed and got 69 votes, while place 5 alderman Calvin Hunter retained his seat, winning 56 votes to Wayne Fox’s 29. Bitter Reno election over One of the most bitterly contested elections in Reno’s history – and that’s saying something – came to an end via Saturday’s election. Controversies swirling around mayor Granville Martin III apparently hurt him at the polls as he was easily defeated by challenger Roen Cox, 269-35. Another challenger, Gilbert Morrow, finished with 14 votes. Loyd Bailey, who served as mayor until he was defeated by Martin four years ago, won Place 2 to return to the council. Bailey, an 18-year council veteran, defeated C.A. Morrow 185-130 for the seat which had been held by Lil Morgan, who chose not to run. Carol Houlihan didn’t have an opponent but still collected 206 votes, retaining Place 4. Houlihan, who spent the past several weeks battling with former ally Martin over a variety of issues, said she’s glad the election is over. “Now we can get down to business,” she said. Cox said he was overwhelmed by the support. “I expected a decisive victory because of the sentiment of the citizens of Reno, but I am honored by the citizens response,” he said. Despite the past controversy, Cox no such problems on the new council. “The previous Reno council had a rough time, given the philosophy of its leadership,” he said. “This council will not have that obstacle to overcome and should do very well.” In addition, Reno residents voted 173-135 to designate one-fourth of one percent of the city’s sales tax revenue to maintain local roadways. College board turns over The Weatherford College board of trustees got a complete facelift as all four incumbents were defeated in hotly-contested countywide race. Trev Dixon collected 57.3 percent of the vote to defeat board president and Place 3 Trustee Lin Bearden. Joel Watson drew 55.7 percent in defeating in defeating Place 4 Trustee Tom Novak who got 44.3 percent. Trey Cobb collected 57.4 percent to beat incumbent Place 5 Trustee Bob Lee, while Frank Martin earned a whopping 70.1 percent of the vote to defeat Place 6 incumbent Mayola Lasater. The college’s leadership became a big issue after the defeat of two $100 million bond issues the past two years. Challengers said the board was simply “rubber stamping” the administration on a variety of issues and had lost touch with their constituents. |
