Published: May 08, 2008 05:42 pm            

DUCE, REWIS WIN CITY COUNCIL SEATS

Blevins, Smart come up short in local races

Incumbent Ken Duce defeated Henry Smart, and Ed Rewis won against David Blevins in Live Oak City Council races Tuesday. Duce received 126 votes to Smart's 111 in District 3. Rewis won 79 to 69 in District 5. He will replace the retiring Don Boyette.

"I consider it an honor to continue serving you in District 3," said Duce. "This has been made possible by your positive vote in considering me for another four years. I promise to keep your wishes and needs before the council."

"Please visit our meetings and get the full story," he added. "This will give you an opportunity to compare what you hear in the council chambers with that being distributed by other means."

"I appreciate those who voted for me and I plan on doing exactly what I told them I was going to do," said Rewis. "Any issue I vote on will be after thoroughly searching my conscience and for the welfare of my district and the city."

"I want to thank the people," said Smart. "We ran a good race and worked real hard. We still see some things in the city that needs to be addressed and I will address them whether I won or not."

"I'd like to thank all the people who supported me, but I'm disappointed in the low voter turnout," said Blevins. "I'm pleased with what I did and I think I did pretty good."

Turnout was light, especially in District 5, where only 148 of 764 registered voters cast ballots. In District 3, where 237 ballots were cast, there are 633 registered voters. Overall turnout was 27.6 percent.

Duce and Smart received 34 absentee votes each. Thirty ballots were cast for Duce in early voting, five for Smart.

In District 5, Rewis received 28 absentee votes to Blevins' 23. Eight ballots were cast for Blevins in early voting, seven for Rewis.

Councilman Bennie Thomas was reelected without opposition in District 2.

        

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