Published: May 06, 2008 09:01 pm      

Residents decide several Tazewell County contests

TAZEWELL, Va. —Incumbent mayors in Tazewell, Richlands, Pocahontas and Cedar Bluff were all re-elected Tuesday in Tazewell County.

In the town of Pocahontas, long-time Mayor Anita Brown narrowly defeated Arthur Scott Tuesday with all precincts reporting. Brown was the apparent winner with 57 votes followed by 52 for Scott, according to unofficial returns.

Four candidates were vying for four town council seats in Pocahontas. The winners were incumbent E. Jean Boone, 78 votes; incumbent Bonnie H. Pardue, 68; Adam P. Cannoy, 103; and Amy Flick, 67.

The election results will be canvassed and certified today, Tazewell County Registrar Debbie Barrett said. Although only five votes separate the mayoral contest, Barrett said no write-in votes were reported in Pocahontas, so the contest isn’t expected to change.

In the town of Richlands, incumbent Mayor E. Kenneth Wysor defeated Jan R. White in unofficial returns. Wysor, the town’s long-time mayor, was the winner with 432 votes followed by 342 for White.

In the race for town council, six candidates were vying for three town council seats. The apparent winners were Larry J. Worrell, 496 votes; Douglas R. Ratliff, 362; and Frances D. Meadows, 350. Larry S. Johnson, garnered 316 votes; incumbent Eric A. Newberry, 334; and incumbent Diana Lynn Taylor, 205.

In the town of Cedar Bluff, incumbent Mayor Johnnie Smith ran unopposed and was re-elected with 182 votes.

In the race for town council, six candidates were vying for three seats. The winners in unofficial returns were Timothy M. Trent, 171 votes; Wilma Short Sayers, 154; and C. Darell Cantrell,165. Incumbent G.W. “Bill” McCall, Jr., garnered 127 votes; Donnie Joe McGhee, 134; and Kenneth M. “Kenny” Shepard, 86.

In the town of Tazewell, incumbent Mayor Jack H. Harry also ran unopposed for re-election and won with 244 votes.

In the race for town council, four candidates were vying for three council seats. The apparent winners were Chris A. Blankenship, 217; David H. Fox, 198; and Danny C. Willis, 256. Incumbent James R. Doak V garnered 193 votes.

– Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com