Lauderdale takes Goodwater, White gets second term
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Election results for Goodwater, Rockford
Rockford Mayor Scott White with his family at his election celebration. Photo submitted
Rockford officials with Mayor Scott White during his celebration event, including Council members Shirley Ogle, Lynn Anne Castleberry and Robert Smith; Police Chief George Fanning; Town Clerk Lesle Nelson; and librarian and part-time clerk Susan Rogers. Photo submitted
By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
Two of Coosa County’s three municipalities held elections Tuesday, with Goodwater seeing changes in leadership and Rockford’s mayor being elected to a second term, based on unofficial results.
The Town of Goodwater had 386 total ballots cast, including absentee ballots. With 909 registered voters, this gave Goodwater a voter turnout of 43%. Goodwater’s registered voters include 698 active and 211 inactive.
Of the ballots cast, mayoral candidate Karleyun Lauderdale won the race with 244 total votes, or 66.67%, beating incumbent Mayor Lonnie W. Caldwell who received 66 total votes, or 18.03%.
Also in the mayoral race, Samuel Evans received a total of 63 votes, and Rodney Jones received 13 votes.
For Town Council, Seat 2, Torrey Jones won the Council seat with a total of 283 votes, or 77.32%.
Regarding other candidates for that seat, Mae Catherine Wilson received 70 votes, Jimmie Braun received 30 votes, and John (Bobby) Lopez received three votes.
For Seat 3, Councilmember Mary L. Graham was reelected, receiving a total of 225 votes, or 61.48%. The other candidate, LaShala Coleman, received 154 votes.
The total votes candidates received include those cast at the ballot on election day, as well as any absentee ballots received.
Goodwater’s remaining three Council seats ran unopposed, with those incumbents remaining in office for another term. Those include Jerome Crayton for Seat 1, John Kelley for Seat 4 and Genovis Whetstone for Seat 5.
With one incumbent also reelected, this means that Goodwater will soon see new faces in leadership roles with one new Council member and a new mayor.
In Rockford, only the mayor’s race appeared on the ballot, with only incumbents qualifying to run for Town Council. As such, all five Council members will remain the same for the next term.
Rockford had a total of 167 ballots cast, including five absentee ballots. With a total of 321 registered voters, Rockford had a 52% voter turnout.
Rockford’s number of registered voters includes 274 active and 47 inactive.
In the mayor’s race, incumbent Mayor Scott White was reelected to a second term, receiving a total of 124 votes, or 74%. Candidate Randall Lewis received a total of 42 votes.
White expressed his appreciation for those who elected him to another term.
“Thank you, Rockford, for placing your trust in me these past five years,” White stated. “We have accomplished so much together, and we see the fruits of our labor daily. You have spoken loud and clearly by placing your trust in me for another 4-year term with continued growth and improvements. I look forward to your continued support in leading us and our town to where we need to be, with a thriving, clean, family-friendly town for all to enjoy and be proud of for years to come. God bless you all.”
Following the election, at noon on Tuesday, September 2, each Town Council will meet to canvass the election results. Once that is completed and election results are certified, the results will then become official.
Other upcoming election dates include September 4 as the deadline for anyone with standing to contest the election to request a recount within 48 hours of the official canvass on September 2, September 8 as the last day a candidate may contest the results of the general election and September 11 as the last day for the municipal clerk to file certificates of general municipal election with the probate judge, secretary of state and Alabama League of Municipalities.
On Monday, November 3, newly elected municipal officials will take office, and councils will meet for their organizational sessions.
As reported previously, in Kellyton only incumbents qualified for office, and as such Mayor Johnny Sharpe and all five Town Council members will go on to serve another term, also officially starting November 3.
Dr. Jeff Fuller prays with Rockford Mayor Scott White. Photo submitted
