News
Mayor's race heading to run-off....maybe!
(Posted Thu 08:52 pm)
Yet another twist in the City of Levelland’s mayor’s race developed late Thursday afternoon when County Tax Assessor and Voter Registrar Christy Clevenger advised city officials that a one vote mistake on provisional ballots had been made in her office.
As a result, the City of Levelland’s Mayor’s race will be decided in a run-off election called for June 16th, unless a recount proves that a runoff is not necessary.
Waymon Jackson and incumbent R.L. "Bo" Bowman were advised that one of the four provisional voters who had initially given Jackson the slim victory had been disqualified. The disqualification was the result of that voter having registered on April 26, too late to be qualified to vote in the city election but eligible to vote in the upcoming primary.
As a result of that disqualification, Jackson’s victory margin dropped by one vote, giving him exactly 50 percent of the votes and not a majority, which is required by city charter.
Last Saturday, unofficial election results had Jackson receiving 783 or 49.90 percent of the votes, Bowman receiving 734 or 46.78 percent of the vote and Jeff Hemphill receiving 52 o4 3.31 percent of the votes.
On Tuesday, after 10 provisional votes were reviewed by the registrar’s office and six were thrown out, Jackson was reported to have 787 or 50.03 percent of the votes, enough for the majority win.
According to the results canvassed in a special called meeting Thursday evening, Jackson received 786 votes, Bowman received 734 votes and Jeff Hemphill, who withdrew from the race but was too late to get his name off the ballot, received 52 votes.
Jackson has already called for a recount but must still fill out the required paper work.
After Thursday night’s City Council meeting, City Secretary Beth Walls said that if Jackson returns the recount paperwork Friday, she will ask four people to serve on the recount committee as early as next Tuesday. Each candidate can be present and can have two representatives with them while the recount is occurring. The recount must be conducted in a neutral setting at least 30 feet away from anyone.
If the recount gives Jackson the majority, the runoff election will be canceled.
If the recount leaves Jackson without a majority, the runoff will be held on Saturday, June 16 in the Levelland Independent School District Business Office. Early voting will be held June 4 through June 12 in City Hall.
(Posted Thu 08:52 pm)
Yet another twist in the City of Levelland’s mayor’s race developed late Thursday afternoon when County Tax Assessor and Voter Registrar Christy Clevenger advised city officials that a one vote mistake on provisional ballots had been made in her office.
As a result, the City of Levelland’s Mayor’s race will be decided in a run-off election called for June 16th, unless a recount proves that a runoff is not necessary.
Waymon Jackson and incumbent R.L. "Bo" Bowman were advised that one of the four provisional voters who had initially given Jackson the slim victory had been disqualified. The disqualification was the result of that voter having registered on April 26, too late to be qualified to vote in the city election but eligible to vote in the upcoming primary.
As a result of that disqualification, Jackson’s victory margin dropped by one vote, giving him exactly 50 percent of the votes and not a majority, which is required by city charter.
Last Saturday, unofficial election results had Jackson receiving 783 or 49.90 percent of the votes, Bowman receiving 734 or 46.78 percent of the vote and Jeff Hemphill receiving 52 o4 3.31 percent of the votes.
On Tuesday, after 10 provisional votes were reviewed by the registrar’s office and six were thrown out, Jackson was reported to have 787 or 50.03 percent of the votes, enough for the majority win.
According to the results canvassed in a special called meeting Thursday evening, Jackson received 786 votes, Bowman received 734 votes and Jeff Hemphill, who withdrew from the race but was too late to get his name off the ballot, received 52 votes.
Jackson has already called for a recount but must still fill out the required paper work.
After Thursday night’s City Council meeting, City Secretary Beth Walls said that if Jackson returns the recount paperwork Friday, she will ask four people to serve on the recount committee as early as next Tuesday. Each candidate can be present and can have two representatives with them while the recount is occurring. The recount must be conducted in a neutral setting at least 30 feet away from anyone.
If the recount gives Jackson the majority, the runoff election will be canceled.
If the recount leaves Jackson without a majority, the runoff will be held on Saturday, June 16 in the Levelland Independent School District Business Office. Early voting will be held June 4 through June 12 in City Hall.
State comptroller touts state efficiency
(Posted Thu 02:39 pm)
Texans will have to be smarter and operate more efficiently if the state is to avoid severe financial problems, Texas Comptroller Susan Combs said Tuesday.
Combs made her comments during a town hall meeting at Levelland City Hall.
Armed with several graphs, she noted that federal mandates on Medicaid could push state spending from 20.2 percent in 2011 to 37.2 percent by 2023.
"Medicaid will be driving everything," she warned about what she called "Big Red."
"Big Red will be over a third of state spending," she said.
Combs said the state has experienced a 25-month increase in sales tax revenue while California is projected to undergo a 20 percent reduction in such revenue.
The boom in Texas' oil and gas economy is a major factor in the increase in sales tax revenue, she said.
Texas currently has about 6.2 billion in its "Rainy Day Fund," which could increase to $7.3 billion when the state Legislature convenes in January.
She said public education is going to have to be more efficient and "more collaborative" in the future.
(Posted Thu 02:39 pm)
Texans will have to be smarter and operate more efficiently if the state is to avoid severe financial problems, Texas Comptroller Susan Combs said Tuesday.
Combs made her comments during a town hall meeting at Levelland City Hall.
Armed with several graphs, she noted that federal mandates on Medicaid could push state spending from 20.2 percent in 2011 to 37.2 percent by 2023.
"Medicaid will be driving everything," she warned about what she called "Big Red."
"Big Red will be over a third of state spending," she said.
Combs said the state has experienced a 25-month increase in sales tax revenue while California is projected to undergo a 20 percent reduction in such revenue.
The boom in Texas' oil and gas economy is a major factor in the increase in sales tax revenue, she said.
Texas currently has about 6.2 billion in its "Rainy Day Fund," which could increase to $7.3 billion when the state Legislature convenes in January.
She said public education is going to have to be more efficient and "more collaborative" in the future.
Waymon Jackson wins Mayor's seat by four votes
(Posted Thu 02:38 pm)
Originally headed for a run-off, the mayor's race has ended with a victory for challenger Waymon Jackson.
A news release issued Tuesday by the city stated that Jackson received an additional four certified provisional votes, giving him 50.03 percent of the ballots cast.
Ten provisional votes were cast, of which four were certified by the Hockley County Tax-Assessor Collector's office.
Provisional votes are those in which a ballot is cast, but which require verification of the voter's actual registration in order to be properly counted.
In election returns Saturday night, Jackson led the balloting with 783, or 49.9 percent of the ballots, while Mayor R.L. "Bo" Bowman netted 734, or 46.78 percent of the votes.
Jeff Hemphill, who filed as a candidate but then decided not to campaign, received 52, or 3.31 percent of the votes cast.
Votes will be officially canvassed at a city council meeting Thursday.
Jackson and two new council members will be sworn into office during the meeting.
(Posted Thu 02:38 pm)
Originally headed for a run-off, the mayor's race has ended with a victory for challenger Waymon Jackson.
A news release issued Tuesday by the city stated that Jackson received an additional four certified provisional votes, giving him 50.03 percent of the ballots cast.
Ten provisional votes were cast, of which four were certified by the Hockley County Tax-Assessor Collector's office.
Provisional votes are those in which a ballot is cast, but which require verification of the voter's actual registration in order to be properly counted.
In election returns Saturday night, Jackson led the balloting with 783, or 49.9 percent of the ballots, while Mayor R.L. "Bo" Bowman netted 734, or 46.78 percent of the votes.
Jeff Hemphill, who filed as a candidate but then decided not to campaign, received 52, or 3.31 percent of the votes cast.
Votes will be officially canvassed at a city council meeting Thursday.
Jackson and two new council members will be sworn into office during the meeting.
Sundown school board incumbents receive highest votes
(Posted 5/12/2012 09:43 pm)
Incumbents Joe Hinson and Karen Davidson were the top vote getters in the Sundown School Board race.
There were eight candidates for three positions in that election.
Hinson received 251 votes while Davidson received 218.
Danny Randolph received 171, Gil Ramirez received 135, Jimmy McDaniel received 83, Max Bearden received 71, Juan Posadas, Jr. received 65 and Jason Cox received 19.
(Posted 5/12/2012 09:43 pm)
Incumbents Joe Hinson and Karen Davidson were the top vote getters in the Sundown School Board race.
There were eight candidates for three positions in that election.
Hinson received 251 votes while Davidson received 218.
Danny Randolph received 171, Gil Ramirez received 135, Jimmy McDaniel received 83, Max Bearden received 71, Juan Posadas, Jr. received 65 and Jason Cox received 19.
Anton election results reported
(Posted 5/12/2012 09:42 pm)
Anton Mayor Blake Cate was unopposed but received 113 votes in Saturday's election.
Two positions were open on the city council with Greg Hodges, incumbent, receiving 163 votes; Garland Cooper, Sr., a former council member, receiving 87 and Gene Huddleston, an incumbent receiving 54.
In the school board election for two positions, incumbent Ronnie Buchanan received 150 votes, Junior Alasa received 87 and incumbent Bryan Reed received 74.
(Posted 5/12/2012 09:42 pm)
Anton Mayor Blake Cate was unopposed but received 113 votes in Saturday's election.
Two positions were open on the city council with Greg Hodges, incumbent, receiving 163 votes; Garland Cooper, Sr., a former council member, receiving 87 and Gene Huddleston, an incumbent receiving 54.
In the school board election for two positions, incumbent Ronnie Buchanan received 150 votes, Junior Alasa received 87 and incumbent Bryan Reed received 74.
