ELECTION UPDATE: Unofficial results for Grayson County's town council races

Three new faces will join Fries Town Council, after citizens voted to oust three incumbents in the May 1 municipal election, and an incumbent council member who did not file for re-election was returned to council anyway in Independence.
Ten candidates were seeking seven at-large seats in Fries.
Incumbents who won’t be returning to council after their current terms expire June 30 include  James W. “Walt” Elkins, Frankie W. Fortner and Kathryn M. James — the three candidates receiving the least votes. James received 4.64 percent of the total votes cast, followed by Elkins with 5.42 percent and Fortner with 6.3 percent.
For the re-elected incumbents, Gary Sumner received the most votes, 119, or 13.16 percent of the total. He was followed by Nancy P. Hawks with 118 votes or 13.05 percent, William “Bill” Davis with 12.05 percent and Carolyn J. Jones with 11.17 percent.
All three challengers won — Dawn Patton with 12.72 percent, Jo Ann Gunter with 10.95 percent and Jerry W. McCormick with 10.5 percent.
In Independence, there were three terms expiring in June. Incumbents Shane Allen and Ronald Sexton sought re-election, but Jason Cassell did not file to run.
Because of that, the third seat was to be determined by write-in vote. Cassell ended up winning the write-in vote, with 21 of the 31 write-ins bearing his name.
Allen received 25 votes and Sexton received 32.
In the Town of Troutdale, citizens elected a mayor, recorder and six council members.
Mayor William Mitchell was re-elected with 22 votes.
Carla Plummer won the write-in vote for recorder with 11 votes.
Four council members elected to serve were on the ballot, while the other two were write-ins. Candidates on the ballot were Patricia A. Tilson with 22 votes, Deborah R. Cornett and Ira. K. McGrady Jr. with 21 votes each and Tina Michelle Delp with 18 votes.
Write-in candidates who won seats on Troutdale Town Council included David McGrady with 14 votes and Bill Ring with eight.
The council members will begin their new terms July 1.Citizens in the towns of Fries, Independence and Troutdale elected town council members May 1.
Candidates' votes are based on unofficial elections results from the Virginia State Board of Elections and the Grayson County Registrar's Office.
 

___________________________________________________________

Ten candidates filed for seven seats in Grayson County's only contested town council race in Fries.
 
* William “Bill” Davis -- 109
James W. “Walt” Elkins -- 49
Frankie W. Fortner -- 57
* Jo Ann Gunter -- 99
* Nancy P. Hawks -- 118
Kathryn M. James -- 42
* Carolyn J. Jones -- 101
* Jerry W. McCormick -- 95
* Dawn Patton -- 115
* Gary L. Sumner -- 119

In the Town of Independence, two candidates filed for three open seats.

Shane Allen -- 25 
Ronald Sexton --32
Jason Cassell -- Write-in -- 21 

In the Town of Troutdale, citizens elected a mayor, recorder and six council members.

Mayor -- William Mitchell -- 22
Recorder -- Carla Plummer -- Write-in -- 11
Council -- Deborah R. Cornet -- 21
Council -- Tina Michelle Delp -- 18
Council -- Ira. K. McGrady Jr. -- 21
Council -- Patricia A. Tilson -- 22
Council -- David McGrady -- Write-in -- 14
Council -- Bill Ring -- Write-in -- 8

Return to www.independencedeclaration.com for updates.

__________________________________________________________

Town elections will be held May 1.
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Two candidates filed for three open seats in Independence: Shane Allen and Ronald Sexton.
Ten candidates filed for seven open seats in Fries: William “Bill” Davis, James W. “Walt” Elkins, Frankie W. Fortner, Jo Ann Gunter, Nancy P. Hawks, Kathryn M. James, Carolyn J. Jones, Jerry W. McCormick, Dawn Patton and Gary L. Sumner.
Five candidates filed for eight positions (including six council seats, mayor and recorder) in Troutdale: William C. Mitchell, Deborah R. Cornett, Tina Michelle Delp, Ira K. McGrady Jr. and Patricia R. Tilson.
For more information, call the Grayson County Registrar’s Office at (276) 773-2842.