Fogleman re-elected Marion Mayor

Fogleman re-elected Marion Mayor

Smith wins in Earle, Cooper ousted in Turrell

news@theeveningtimes.com

It’s four more years for two of Crittenden County’s longest serving mayors.

Voters handed victories to Mayor Frank Fogleman and Sherman Smith in Earle.

Fogleman cruised to reelection in a head-to-head rematch with City Councilman Kelly O’Neal 2,210 to 1,400.

Fogleman, who has served as mayor of Marion for 24 years, thanked the voters for keeping him on the job and allowing him to complete several big-ticket infrastructure projects that are on the horizon.

“I’m very pleased that the contest is over and that voters saw fit to return me to office,” Fogleman said. “I look forward to finishing some things that we’ve started and bringing them to fruition.”

Fogleman campaigned on his experience and steady leadership of Marion over the past two decades, and vowed to move forward on Military Road improvements, a railroad overpass, and plans to build a Sultana museum.

On Thursday, residents will get to see the design plans for the overpass and offer their comments.

“I think the things I talked about are all within sight,” Fogleman said. “The state is going to show us more of the final alignment of the overpass. And we’ve had quite a few pieces of good news with the Sultana. I think Louis Intres’s work is paying off.”

In other Marion races, voters returned incumbent David Bigger to the City Council 1,819 to 1,664 over Brad Moore, while former Councilwoman Sherry Holliman regained her spot on the council in a re-match defeating Don Hanks 1,899 to 1,602.

In Earle, Smith, who served as mayor from 1985-2006 and won election to fill the remaining year-and-a-half unexpired term of Carolyn Jones who was recalled by voters in 2017, prevailed over political newcomer Ramonda Harris 358 to 236.

Smith touted his success in bringing back civility to Earle and for restoring the city’s image with residents and the rest of the county after two-and-a-half tumultuous years under Jones. Smith thanked the voters and said he plans to work hard on attracting more industry to Earle and to get more young people involved in city government.

“I’m glad to be back,” Smith said. “It will give me the opportunity to finish some things that I got started. I think the city is on the upside and I’d like to continue that. And, hopefully we can promote some leadership classes to get some young folks ready for the next elections.”

In other Earle races, former Councilwoman Sandy Holloway defeated Kenneth Cross 68 to 51 to reclaim her seat on the council. Holloway mistakenly filed for re-election in the wrong precinct four years ago. Cross was a controversial figure on the city council who was often at odds with Smith.

Longtime Councilwoman Jimmie Barham was reelected to another term defeating Betty Williams 103-80, while in ward 3, Tyneshia Bohanon defeated Grinda Luckett 65 to 55.

Luckett was appointed to fill the remaining term of her husband, Bobby, who resigned to take the job as building inspector.

And in Ward 4, Robert Udell, Sr. defeated Demetris Johnson 96 to 68.

Councilman Jesse Selvy.

did not run for re-election.

Across the county, incumbent Joe Marotti was reelected to another term as mayor in Crawfordsville 116 to 46 over Sterling Briggs, Jr.

In Edmondson, voters will head back to the polls to decide the mayor’s race between Art Gillard and Ira Ewing who tied as the top vote getters with 31 votes in the four-way race. Mollie Johnson defeated Larry Moore 54 to 31 in the city clerk’s race while Sidney Prackett defeated Audrey Embry 59 to 26 for the Position 4 seat, and James Mitchell edged Coletha Jones Vasser 46 to 40.

In Gilmore, Bruce Delaney defeated Christene Jackson Brownlee in the mayor’s race 79 to 25; Kyle Kline topped Terry Lee Person 58 to 42 in the Position 2 race; and Dontavous White, Sr. defeated Dotson Markham 59 to 42 in the Position 4 race.

In Horseshoe Lake, Gary Hahne defeated Shawn Siders for mayor 84 to 57; Carol Adams easily defeated

Jordyn Benefield

119 to 18 for recorder/treasurer; Trina Scarbrough defeated Lynn B Kee 110 to 27 for Position 1; Michael Carter outpolled Harris Lentz III 54 to 49 but will head to a run off.

In Jericho, Brenda Payne edged Elaine Dupree 25 to 21 in the Position 4 race; Lensey Haye topped Joyce Ann Butler 39 to 20 in the mayor’s race; while in Turrell, Charles Webster defeated incumbent Dorothy Cooper 140 to 70 in the

mayor’s race.

By Mark Randall