Smith elected to Gainesville school board; Herold unseated in Flowery Branch

UNDATED - Sammy Smith won a seat on the Gainesville school board Tuesday, as voters in Flowery Branch rejected city councilman Jim Herold's bid for re-election.

In Clermont, two city councilmen were returned to office. (See separate story for complete details on these elections).

Elsewhere in the area:

SUGAR HILL

Voters in Sugar Hill rejected a referendum to create a police department for the town.

75 percent voted against the proposition to create a city police department, meaning the Gwinnett County Police Department will continue to patrol there.

The final tally was 647 votes against and 219 votes in favor.

Voters approved another referendum allowing the creation of a Tax Allocation District. The final count was 592 in favor and 258 against.

SUWANEE

Dave Williams was elected Suwanee's new mayor in Tuesday's municipal election. Williams received 881 votes while Tom McConnell had 515 votes. Williams will become mayor in January, taking over from Nick Masino, who has served as Suwanee's mayor for 8 years. Masino did not seek re-election.

Incumbent Jimmy Burnette was re-elected to City Council Post 1. Burnette received 871 votes; Rick Welsch received 518 votes. Burnette has served on City Council since 1996.

In addition, a Redevelopment Powers referendum that will allow the City
to create Tax Allocation Districts was approved, 837-522.

BRASELTON

Voters in Braselton approved a referendum allowing the creation of a Tax Allocation District. The final tally was 144 in favor and 37 against.

HABERSHAM COUNTY

Municipal elections in Habersham County unseated incumbents in some of the five towns with contested seats.

In Clarkesville, Post 3 Council Member Wallace Wenn was defeated by challenger Casey Ramsey. Ramsey received 91 votes to Wenn's 77.

Post 2 Council Member Bobby Webb defeated challenger A.J. (Bob) Simpson 104-56.

Tina C. Evans won the Post 1 special election to replace retiring council member Joyce Wilbanks with 105 votes to Debbie Crane's 50 and Lynda Averack's 17.

Two Baldwin City Council members were unseated in Tuesday's municipal election.

Challenger Jeff Murray defeated Post 2 Council Member Jeff Bohannon and held off challenger David Johnson for the Post 2 seat. Murray received 127 votes, while Johnson received 50 and Bohannon received 20.

Challenger Rodney King received 123 votes, defeating Post 3 Council Member Mitchell Gailey, who received 73.

Post 1 Council Member Beverly Holcomb narrowly held off challenger Theron Ayers, 99-96.

In Demorest, incumbent John Popham will return to the council with 106 votes. He and other council members will be joined by Lee Moore, who received 125 votes. Kay Templeton received 55 votes.

In Mt. Airy, incumbent Mike McCoy will retain his seat with 100 votes. McCoy and other council members will be joined by Andrea Simmons, who received 75 votes and Linda Chambers Hughes, who received 67. John Chad Kinsey Sr. received 66 votes.

In Tallulah Falls, Mayor Carl Seaman received 48 votes to challenger Shawn Clarke's 34 to hold onto the town's top elected post.

Incumbent Bill Coldren and challenger Jimmy Franklin received the most votes for the two at-large council seats, with Franklin displacing incumbent Don Bundrick.

Coldren received 58 votes, while Franklin had 52 and Bundrick had 38.

HELEN

Voters in Helen re-elected incumbents Greg "Mully" Ash and Dona K. Burke to another 4-year term over challengers Art Connor and Judy Holloway.

Vote count: Ash, 116; Burke, 99; Connor, 65; and Holloway, 72.

Each voter could vote for two candidates. The two highest vote-getters were elected.

DAWSONVILLE

Voters in Dawsonville returned all three incumbents to office Tuesday.

Mayor Joe Lane Cox returns to office for four more years, defeating challenger Frank Craft, 232 to 103.

Incumbents City Council members Mike Sosebee and Mike Wilson were the top two vote getters out of a choice of five candidates with 190 votes and 145, respectively.

Political newcomer Chris Conowal, only three votes behind Wilson. Former Board of Education member B.J. Farley finished fourth with 86 votes and former Dawsonville City Councilman Tim Wimpey brought up the rear with 59 votes.

Dawson County voters also approved a countywide extension of the special purpose local option sales tax. Voters approved the $91.56 million extension 919 to 132. includes a new Dawson County Courthouse.

DAHLONEGA - Michael Clemons defeated John Paul Webb for the Dahlonega City Council Post 4 seat.