Sand Mountain Reporter

Guntersville Mayor Bob Hembree was back on the job after winning re-election by a large margin.

Hembree received more than 61 percent of the vote against former Mayor James D. Townson, his two-time political rival.

Hembree said the city government will proceed with the task of improving Guntersville.

“There are some things that we are working on, some things we just have to keep under wraps until the proper time,” he said. “Mostly we’ve got a lot going on, a lot of projects in the city, and our effort’s going to be to move the city forward.”

Guntersville is in the midst of projects to improve Northtown and the area near the foot of the Veterans Memorial Bridge across the Tennessee River.

Tuesday’s election capped off a bitter campaign between Hembree and the man he succeeded. The men met in 2004 with Townson appearing to win by a single vote, but the state Supreme Court later overturned the election and installed Hembree.

“It was very rewarding to have a good solid victory and a strong vote and a strong show of support,” Hembree said Wednesday. “If anyone did doubt the previous election or the decisions that were made or what have you, it kind of cleared the air last night.”

Hembree said Townson did not call to offer his congratulations.

“Normally, it is customary for the one that’s defeated to contact the winner, and I haven’t heard from him,” Hembree said.

Incumbent Council members Wayne Sellers, Dink Myers and Randy Whitaker won re-election Tuesday, and former Councilwoman Sonata Howell defeated incumbent Samuel Stewart.

Charlie Williams was elected to the District 2 seat being given up by Ray Bice.

There will be runoffs in District 4 between incumbent Gary Gray and challenger Jim Cary, and in District 6 between incumbent Dewayne Ray and challenger Rudy Cornelius.

Hembree said he’s been pleased with the Council since becoming mayor in late 2005.

“You couldn’t ask for a better Council on how they’ve worked with me,” Hembree said. “It’s been the reason we’ve been able to accomplish what we have, and I’m certain we’ll have a great one for the next term.”

Hembree said he thinks Gray has done a good job and deserves re-election but said he didn’t want to endorse a candidate in District 6.

“I’ve got a very close friend I grew up with that’s running against an incumbent, and that’s going to be difficult for me,” Hembree said.

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