Sylvester and Americus mayors re-elected, Arlington mayor defeated

ALBANY — The mayors of Sylvester and Americus were re-elected Tuesday night and Americus voters approved Sunday packaged alcohol sales.

In Arlington, which approved the package sales of distilled spirits, the incumbent mayor was the odd-man out in a three-candidate race.

In Sylvester, Mayor William Yearta easily outdistanced his challenger, Fidila Griffin. Yearta received 466 votes to Griffin’s 220. In District 4, incumbent City Councilman Larry Johnson was re-elected to a new term with 95 votes. His challenger, Johnny Blake, received 60.

Americus also re-elected its mayor, Barry Blount, who received 951 votes. His opponent, Laura Lee Bernstein, was named on 718 ballots.

In the District 5 seat on the Americus City Council, incumbent Shirley Green-Reese was defeated. Challenger Kelvin Pless received 197 votes to Green-Reese’s 102.

Americus voters also were asked whether they wanted to have packaged alcohol sales on Sundays. Voters approved the measure, 1,008-641.

Arlington voters decided to change mayors and Ok’d the package sale of alcohol. The latter vote was 286-90 in favor of package sales.

Mayor Marvin King, however, was unsuccessful in his re-election bid, pulling 121 votes. A runoff will be conducted with his two challengers facing off. Raymond Williams led the field with 150 votes, while Jerome Brackins received 135 to qualify for the runoff.

In City Council races, Leonard Davis defeated Kenneth Sizemore 252-184 for the Post 2 seat, while deidre Evean-Severson won Post 4 231-201 over Betty Murdock. Elquinta Moore claimed the Post 6 seat with a 260-177 win over John Hatcher, and Lisa Aldridge was unopposed in her election to the Post 5 seat.

In Camilla, four of the City Council’s six seats were up for grabs and three of four incumbents were re-elected.

In District 1 Post 2, Annie Doris Willingham was re-elected after challenger Corey B. Morgan was disqualified. In District 1 Post 3, Venterra Marshay Pollard ousted incumbent Vivian G. Smith, 301-134.

In District 2 Post 2, incumbent Danny Palmer was a 488-278 winner over challenger Gwyneth Thomas. In District 2 Post 3, incumbent Lewis Campbel III held onto his seat with a 474-295 win over challenger Torry Jackson.