VALDOSTA —
The Valdosta City Council at-large seat left vacant by Councilman John Eunice will go to a runoff election.
John L. Eunice, father of the former councilman, and Ben Norton face off later this month in the runoff race.
Following Tuesday’s vote, Eunice received 44.15 percent of the vote, or 4,339 votes, and Norton received 32.8 percent of the vote, or 3,2254 votes.
Keith Lee is out of the race. He garnered 22.41 percent, or 2,202 votes Tuesday.
To win, a nominee must have at least 50 percent plus one vote, if not the race in question goes into a runoff election.
The run-off is scheduled for Nov. 30.
Eunice said the election process has been exciting and he expects more of the same during the race to the run-off election.
He plans to continue to visit neighborhoods, going door to door and sharing his experiences with the public.
“I want to tell them what I think I can do to help the city and serve the citizens,” Eunice said.
He said he has a proven background in leadership, as a 27-year veteran of the Air Force, and in infrastructure development as he serves as a deputy base civil engineer at Moody Air Force Base.
These experiences help him determine people’s needs while working with people to find the right solutions when problems arise, Eunice said.
In a previous interview, Eunice said, if elected, he would want to review and seek to improve the permitting process for new businesses, particularly small businesses.
He also commended the council and city administration for good management financially during the past several years, citing that the city has not increased taxes during the last 15 years.
Ben Norton said the time leading up to election day was very exciting.
He is now ready to work hard during the lead-up to the runoff, he said.
“I am qualified because I have the best interest of Valdostans in mind,” Norton said. “I am a Valdostan. I worked here and I was raised here. I’ve raised my family here. I want to see Valdosta grow and prosper in these terrible economic times. I believe we can if we market Valdosta correctly.”
Norton said in an earlier interview that some of the issues he will address if elected include storm water runoff, modification of the sign ordinance and reduction of expenses incurred by the City Council when performing official business for the city.
He said that he would be the kind of councilman who truly represents the people, as he has no personal agenda going into the office.
Election results are not official until certified by the Lowndes County Board of Elections later this week. Officials still had military ballots and provisional ballots left to count at press time. Those numbers will be included in the official results.
Election 2010
City Council race goes to runoff
- Election 2010
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Ben Norton wins runoff
The numbers are in and the people have declared Ben H. Norton winner of the Valdosta City Council at Large seat.
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Nahmias, McFadden win runoffs in court races
Georgia Supreme Court Justice David Nahmias won a runoff election Tuesday to keep his post on the state’s top court, while attorney Chris McFadden pulled off a come-from-behind win for a seat on the state Appeals Court.
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Deal names transition, inaugural teams
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Lake Park raises a glass to Sunday alcohol sales
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City Council race goes to runoff
The Valdosta City Council at-large seat left vacant by Councilman John Eunice will go to a runoff election.
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Ga. voters send GOP's Isakson back to Congress
U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson was re-elected to a second term Tuesday.
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Shaw follows in dad’s footsteps
Jason Shaw has found his own path following in his father’s footsteps.
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Republicans win commission seats
Republicans Richard Raines and Crawford Powell won their respective races Tuesday for the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners Districts 2 and 3.
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Barnes, Deal crisscross state on election eve
Nathan Deal and Roy Barnes were crisscrossing Georgia by plane drumming up support on the eve of Tuesday’s general election.
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Runoff in governor’s race likely
Republicans lead in Georgia’s top statewide races going into Tuesday’s elections, but three contests could be headed toward a runoff, a new poll conducted for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Georgia Newspaper Partnership shows.
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