The town of Crawford Tuesday secured its first new mayor in nearly 16 years, as voters named retired Army 1st Sgt. Fred Tolon the town”s new leader.
Tolon soundly defeated mayoral candidates Sandra Hart; Isha Colbert, a Crawford therapist; and Geraldine Farmer, an employee at the town”s Love & Learn Day Care.
Tolon secured 130 votes, more than double the 64 votes Colbert secured. Fulmer gathered 48 votes and Hart secured 9 votes.
The retired Army officer will replace Helen O”Neal, who has been the town”s mayor since 1993.
In the town”s Board of Aldermen race, incumbents Larry Caldwell, Brenda Gentry and Willie Parson were re-elected.
Caldwell secured 198 votes; Parson, 172; and Gentry, 152.
Board newcomers Casey Smith and Vemitra White also edged out candidate Verlinda Humphries to secure spots on the board.
White was elected with 164 votes, and Smith with 144. Humphries received 126 votes.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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