Liquor vote a big surprise

By TONY STINNETT

You will soon be able to buy liquor in retail package stores in Woodbury.

Citizens voted to permit the sale of liquor in retail package stores in Woodbury during the 2012 General Election by a slim 80-vote margin Tuesday. The referendum passed 407-327.

Voters were not as favorable when it came to increasing their taxes as the sales tax referendum failed by an overwhelming 68 percent of the vote. Of the 4,560 votes cast, 3,122 were against.

Woodbury incumbent Mayor Harold Patrick ran unopposed and collected 99 percent of the 628 votes cast. There were four votes for write-in candidates. All incumbents also claimed the six available seats for alderman.

“I am appreciative of everyone who voted for me in this election,” Patrick said. “We are making progress in Woodbury and we want to continue that over the next four years. I take my responsibility to all of the citizens seriously and will work to do a good job for Woodbury during (this) term.”

Charlie Harrell received 510 votes and will serve as vice-mayor. Also returning are Dotty Duggin (500), Lois Larimer (450), Adam Melton (443), Faye Knox (474) and JoAnn Davis (401). All five current aldermen were sitting board members and won re-election.

“I would like to congratulate Mayor Patrick and all my fellow aldermen,” Harrell said. “Our board has been able to make progress and do some good things for Woodbury in the last four years. The leadership of our town is committed to doing a good job.”

Auburntown incumbent Mayor Roger Turney ran unopposed and was re-elected with 77 of the 78 votes cast at the Auburntown precinct. Aldermen Rita Davis, Winfred Gaither and Tina Fletcher were elected to city council.

Cannon Countians voted predominately Republican in the races for state and national elections. More than 60 percent of the 5,077 voters preferred Gov. Mitt Romney in the Presidential race. Romney received 3,308 votes in Cannon County, as opposed to 1,560 (31 percent) for Barack Obama.

Bob Corker, R, received 3,189 (70 percent) of the votes for the U.S. Senate. Mark E. Clayton, D, picked up 1,088 votes.

Diane Black, R, was a runaway winner for the U.S. House 6th District seat with 3,094 votes, and Mark Pody, R, was unopposed and earned 3,173 votes.