Johnna Pinholster
VALDOSTA — Deidra White and Dr. L.W. Williams will face off again in December for the District 2 Valdosta City Council seat.
Neither White nor Williams received the 50 percent plus one vote required under state law to avoid a runoff. The runoff will be held on Dec. 1. Early voting information will be announced at a later date.
White received 46.42 percent of the vote or 175 votes and Williams received 34.75 percent of the vote or 131 votes.
David Dempsey received 8.22 percent of the votes or 31 votes and David DeMersseman received 6.37 percent of the votes or 24 votes.
Rodney Flucas who pulled out of the race received 4.24 percent of the votes or 16 votes.
“I am very humbled and honored by all the support I have received,” White said. “To be brand new to politics, I feel very honored that I had the most votes and it was so close to not even needing a runoff.”
The experience of running for political office has pushed White further out into the community, she said.
“I’ve met more wonderful people than I can count and I’m looking forward to continue to move forward,” White said. “I think that with time it will give me more opportunity to meet more of my constituents and will come out in the runoff on top.”
White said she will work hard between now and Dec. 1 to get her message out into the community.
In a previous article, White said her focus, if elected, would be crime prevention, jobs, education, housing and neighborhoods.
Efforts to reach Williams for comment on Tuesday night were unsuccessful.
In a previous article, Williams said the issues of importance to him concerned convenient access to all citizens.
He also expressed a need for sidewalks for the dozen or more high traffic streets where children are dropped daily by buses to walk in the street.
“As a lifelong resident, working within this district and its people, I feel I am the right person for this district because we interact, share concerns and converse regarding ongoing problems related to the specific environment of District 2,” Williams said.
District 6
Robert Yost reclaimed his seat as representative for District 6 with 65.61 percent of the votes or 498 votes. John E. Johnson received 34.39 percent of the vote or 261 votes.
“I’m very pleased that the voters in my district saw fit to give me another four years and I hope I live up to that,” Yost said. “I'm looking forward to working with the existing city council members and with whoever the new person is going to be in District 2.”
In a previous article, Yost said that the council, city manager and staff have worked very hard this year on presenting a balanced budget with no tax increases.
“Even though the economy has been a challenge and tax revenue have dropped, we still have been able to maintain a balanced budget, not increase taxes and offer excellent services to the citizens,” Yost said.
He said that he would continue to address the issues of traffic congestion, bike lanes, storm water runoff and the rehabilitation of Sugar Creek, in addition to neighborhood protection.
Military, absentee, and provisional ballots remain outstanding. Tuesday’s election results will remain unofficial until certified by the Lowndes County Board of Elections Friday.
