Wheaton, Ford claim Lee election victories
Former Lee Probate Court judge ousts Commission Chairman Roland
By Gypsy Crow
LEESBURG — Lee County will have a new County Commissioner and a new Board of Education member in 2019.
Long-time County Commissioner and current Chairman Dennis Roland was ousted by former Probate Court Judge John Wheaton in the county’s District 1 Republican primary race. Wheaton had 331 votes to the incumbent’s 215. Donna L. Ford also knocked out incumbent District 1 School Board member Robert E. Ursy, 483 votes to 341.
By 2 p.m. Tuesday, only 10 percent of active voters had cast a ballot on election day, not including the advance and absentee ballots. Rains that fell intermitently throughout the day washed out most of the typical campaigning in the county, but both Wheaton and Ford were out drumming up support, waving their signs next to Leesburg Fire Station No. 1, despite the humid, high temperatures that rose when the rain stopped.
Ford expressed excitement for the election. A retired Lee County educator, she jokingly called herself competitive and said that she loved to win especially, on school field days. She waved at school buses as they passed and talked about her love for the children she taught. Her efforts paid off with the victory.
Wheaton said he was out campaigning because he was determined to secure a win for the people of his district.
“I feel comfortable about the race,” he said. “I’ve been to every house I could find in our district, and I’ve talked to a lot of people. There have been a lot of people helping me as well.”
Wheaton’s opponent, Roland, opted out of campaigning during election day, saying that people would already know who they wanted to vote for.
In the Democratic primary for state Representative of the 152nd District, Marcus Batten ousted Mary Egler 970 votes to 707. Batten will face incumbent Republican Rep. Ed Rynders in the general election.
Related Articles
Dougherty Commission OKs agreements for trash traps, Radium Springs Grant effort
The placement of two traps will help take a bite out of the amount of trash making its way into the Flint River. The Flint Riverkeeper and partners will be involved in placing, monitoring and monitoring the traps as well as removing and disposing of trash and recyclables.
Albany officials ponder future needs, mull tax hike
“Utilities have to sustain themselves. They can’t be fleeced. They can’t be (starved) to the point they can’t provide the services.”
Albany Police Chief Michael Persley to retire in February after 33-year career
“That doesn’t mean I’m going to disappear from Albany, Georgia. There are other things I will be involved in. This is not retire and go just sit in the rocking chair.
