Incumbent Carolyn McFarland has been declared the winner of the Ward Two alderman’s race in Heidelberg.
Opponent Curtis Morgan said the decision came Friday when he pulled a blank piece of paper from a larger envelop.
“They took two pieces of paper and wrote alderman on one and left the other blank,” explained Morgan. “It took place at the City Hall. My opponent wasn’t there and I was given the honor of pulling from the envelopment.”
The procedure was necessary to break a 33-vote tie between McFarland and Morgan during the recent general election. Heidelberg Town Clerk Debbie Logan thought they would flip a coin to name a winner, but the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office and the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office ruled against that procedure.
“The candidates each had a 50/50 even chance to win,” she said Friday.
Although Morgan said he will not contest the results, he cited displeasure with the proceedings. “I didn’t think too much of the way it was all handled at all,” Morgan said. “I will just hang my hat on this one.”
But this doesn’t mean the retired manager of Mississippi Power Company in Heidelberg, is calling it quits in politics. “I was pleased with my showing in the election,” he said. “Voters have taken interest.”
Several attempts to talk to McFarland were unsuccessful. Seven calls were made to her residence, three of which were answered by a young woman who stated that McFarland was busy. The Laurel Leader-Call left messages requesting a return call, but has not yet heard from McFarland.
Logan said the town elected its remaining four aldermen without opposition.
Ward One Alderman Sam Richer, Ward Three Alderman Milton Jones Sr., Ward Four Alderman Dewitt Reed and Ward Five Alderman Thomas “Tom” Lewis all ran unopposed.
Local News
Luck-of-the-draw decides alderman race
McFarland declared winner in Heidelberg
- Local News
-
-
Arrest made in bomb threat
A 19-year-old Jones County Junior College student was arrested Tuesday in connection with a bomb threat to a building on the school’s campus earlier in the day.
-
City council votes 5-1 to restrict transient vendors
With little discussion, the Laurel City Council voted to put restrictions on transient vendors operating in the city and to change the grade level of the city’s building inspector.
-
Aspiring to greatness
The Rev. Leander Bridges was the keynote speaker at Jones County Junior College’s Black History Program Tuesday.
-
JCJC’s student health fair focusing on prevention
Jones County Junior College students recently had the opportunity to discover the true meaning of Benjamin Franklin’s motto, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” at the college’s Student Health Fair. Hundreds of students took advantage of the opportunity to learn about a wide range of topics including behavioral problems, nutrition, fitness, and foot care.
-
Arbor Day set for Feb. 10
The City of Laurel is recognizing Arbor Day and Laurel Mayor Melvin Mack has proclaimed Friday, Feb. 10th, as Arbor Day in the City of Laurel.
-
Zoo owners ask judge to return animals
The owners of the Collins Zoo have asked a judge to return 11 animals seized by state wildlife officers in January.
-
Several injured in separate 84 East wrecks
The jaws of life were used at about 4:55 p.m. Saturday to free victims of a two-vehicle accident on Highway 84 East, the second serious accident in that area in two days.
-
Animal cruelty case under investigation
Officials are continuing to investigate a case where several animals were seized last week from a home in the Beat Four Community of Wayne County.
-
Piazza becomes city’s Public Defender
In a special ceremony last week at Laurel City Hall, local attorney John Piazza was sworn in as the City of Laurel Public Defender.
-
Jasper County officials work to make upgrades at fire station, voting precinct
Jasper County officials are continuing to work to make improvements at one of the county’s fire stations and voting precincts.
- More Local News Headlines
-
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
