Sunday, May 11, 2008; Posted: 07:33 AM
In Dallas County suburban races, voters were poised to elect a new mayor in Lancaster, while keeping incumbents in Mesquite and Duncanville. Meanwhile, voters in Hutchins and Wilmer appeared to split on alcohol sales.
Duncanville
Duncanville's controlling majority retained power on the City Council and added an additional ally.
Mayor David Green easily defeated challenger Rose Renfroe, while District 2 council member Scott Cannon overwhelmed newcomer Eva Simecek.
Grady Smithey retook the District 4 seat that he lost two years ago to Deborah Hodge.
Mr. Smithey's return means the mayor has four allies on the council to support his aggressive pursuit of economic development opportunities. The council will vote next month on a revitalization plan for Main Street, Mr. Green said, and several new restaurants will be coming soon.
Garland
In the city's only contested City Council race, District 5 small-business owner John D. Willis defeated incumbent Jackie D. Feagin.
Mr. Willis ran on a platform of wanting to improve and revitalize the city's neighborhoods. Saturday night he said his message had "resonated with people."
Hutchins and Wilmer
With almost all the votes counted, Wilmer and Hutchins appeared to split on the issue of allowing retail sales of beer, wine and hard liquor. Yes votes led in Hutchins while no votes led in Wilmer.
Lancaster
With half the city's precincts reporting, Lancaster voters were showing overwhelming support for Marcus Knight in the mayor's race. He appeared poised to avoid a runoff against opponents Clyde Hairston and Morris Mosley. Mr. Knight would succeed Joe Tillotson, who did not seek a sixth term.
Mr. Knight, 33, is the chief operating officer of a family business, Knight Waste Services. This is his first run for public office.
Mesquite
Incumbent mayor John Monaco was victorious in Mesquite over longtime council member John Heiman Jr. The city's mayoral campaign between two well-known officials came during what many believe is a crucial period in the city's development.
Mr. Monaco, who served on the City Council seven years, was selected mayor by his colleagues in November to fill the vacancy created when Mike Anderson resigned to run for state representative. Mr. Heiman has served on the council for 17 years.
Mr. Monaco will finish out the one year remaining on the unexpired term.
The race to fill the Place 2 council seat that became vacant when Mr. Monaco became mayor is headed to a runoff between retiree Al Forsythe and small-business owner Bill Metzger.
The runoff between the two will take place June 14 to fill the one year left in the term.
Also seeking the seat were certified public accountant Joe Hicks and real estate broker Don Tillery.
In the race for Place 4, lawyer Greg Noschese won over local pastor Dan Aleman and Rachel Lopez, a senior vocational case manager.
The candidates were seeking to replace David Paschall.
Meanwhile, Place 5 incumbent Shirley Roberts, a real estate agent, scored an easy victory over Michael A. Dougan, a store manager.
Rowlett
Rowlett voters ousted a longtime incumbent and rejected the adoption of civil service rules for police and firefighter employment.
The civil service vote deeply divided the community. The police and fire associations supported the measure, saying it would bring a level of professionalism to their departments. Mayor John Harper and others campaigned vigorously against it, arguing that it would cost too much money.
City Council member Al Alberts lost his bid for a fifth term to the man he defeated three years ago, attorney Chris Kilgore.
In other council races, Doug Phillips was leading Ceaser Hancock, but the contest between Patrick Jackson and Ronnie Howell was too close to call.
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