Story by Heath Hambrick
Election night in Fort Payne turned out to be interesting when it came to the City Council. A total of 15 candidates were seeking the office of City Council. Among them, three were incumbents looking for re-election: John Smith, Lynn Brewer, and Walter Watson.
For the first time since the City of Fort Payne adopted the at-large format, four candidates received more than 50% of the votes and avoided a runoff. Todd Simpson with 1420 votes, Beau Genelin (1360), John Smith (1233), and Richard “Coach” Camp (1175) will be four of the five new City Council members when the new term begins in November.
There will be a runoff for the final council seat between Scotty Vaughn, who received 937 votes, and Mike Grant, who received 846 votes. The run off will be held on Tuesday, September 23rd.
Incumbents Lynn Brewer and Walter Watson were not re-elected.
Candidates missing the runoff are as follows: Clint Beason, 788 votes; Walter Watson (667), Lynn Brewer (642), Jeff Young (642), Chad Williamson (523), Carl “Pete” Little (381), Heather Wooten (240), Ken Mayo (202), and Leslie L. Vaughn (146).
Tuesday night, the citizens of Rainsville elected Rodger Lingerfelt to a third term as Mayor. Lingerfelt defeated Bejan Tehari 448 votes (939-491).
All five council races for Rainsville were also up for grabs. In the race for place one, the incumbent Arlan “Monk” Blevins defeated Charles Centers 887 to 513, a margin of victory of 374 votes.
For the second place, three candidates were challenging for the vacant seat left by Bejan Tehari, who ran for Mayor in this election. Coach Chris Clark received 734 votes, Mark Huber received 449 votes, and Michael Offe received 233 votes. Clark’s margin was enough to win the seat and avoid a runoff.
Sammy Smith challenged long-time councilman Ricky Byrum for place three. Smith defeated Byrum by 174 votes (799 to 625).
Incumbent Brandon Freeman won re-election in the race for place four by defeating Wayne Dukes by 193 votes (809 to 616).
And Incumbent Derek Rosson won re-election over challenger Donnie Frazier, Jr by 115 votes (771 to 656).
Henaegar Election Results
Council Place 3:
Tara Kirby: 104
Garrett Wilson: 104
Carolyn Sparks: 38
IDER ELECTION
RESULTS:
Mayor:
Lissa George 145
(winner)
Sharlyn Huber 55
Council Place #3
Dwayne Chapmen 107 (winner)
Marie Wootten 91
HAMMONDVILLE ELECTION RESULTS
Mayor
Tony Hammonds 89 (winner)
John Moore 57
Council place #2
Candace Salazar 90 (winner)
Yvette Underwood 56
Council place #3
Brian Barnett 93
(winner)
Sue Mentzer 53
Council place #4
Janell Frazier 85
(winner)
Felicia Harrison 59
Council place #5
Kenneth Frazier 81 (winner)
Chad Wooten 64
SYLVANIA ELECTION RESULTS
Council place #4
Lee Hearn 127 (winner)
Gary Ferguson 89
Council place #5
Larry Bailey 128 (winner)
Keith Smith 88
***Sylvania votes to allow alcohol sales***
Wet/Dry - Yes 134
No 86
CROSSVILLE
ELECTIONS RESULTS
Mayor
Dino Richards 154
(winner)
Michael Walker 142
Council place #1
Jacky Clayton 180
(winner)
Beverly Nash 112
Council place #2
Libby Smith 179
(winner)
Nelson Ferrell 115
Council place #3
Misty Spence 158 (winner)
Jimmy Barnhill 84
Mike Sowell 47
Council place #4
Gary Bouldin 181
(winner)
Lisa Collins 59
Ray Walker 56
Council place #5
Alan Gardner 234
(winner)
Jeff Simpson 57
Run off Election will be held on September 23, 2025.
