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Old Fort election results

Mayor re-elected, alderman race too close to call.

By Britt Combs | The McDowell News

Published: November 3, 2009

A small but anxious crowd gathered outside the doors of the Old Fort branch of the library awaiting the results of the vote for nearly an hour after the poll closed Tuesday night.

The mayoral race was decided by a big margin, but the future of one alderman's seat will not be known until later this week.

For mayor, it wasn't even close; garland Norton will return for his second term as mayor. Norton received 147 votes, well ahead of his challenger, Phillip L. Steppe, who netted 85 votes.

Steppe, who was making his first run for office, spent the day shaking hands outside the library. He said he had nothing but congratulations and best wishes for the mayor.

Norton, 57, said the town's government will focus on the cost of living in Old Fort.

"We're gonna try to make Old Fort a better place to live," he said, adding that he believed both taxes and water rates could be cut back.

"People are really struggling right now," he said, "and I believe we owe it to the people to do all we can to save them some money."

There were two seats for alderman in contest, and four candidates. Sue Crawford Gibbs, 67, received 144 votes, a decisive win.

A mere seven votes separates Wayne S. Stafford Sr., 112 votes, and Charles R. Pyles, who received 105 votes.

There were 12 provisional ballots cast in Old Fort. Those, a poll worker stated, will be examined and, if accepted, will be counted at the Board of Elections Thursday at 9 a.m.

One of those two will win the other seat. Candidate Peter W. Matthews received 86 votes.