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Commission District 6 race too close to call
Three incumbent commissioners win new terms
Published Wednesday, November 5, 2008
It’s not over until, well, it’s just not over.
At least not for Pike County Commission’s District 6 race.
Right now, Republican candidate Karen Berry is leading her opponent, Democrat Oren Fannin, by just three votes, with a 1,385 to 1,382 lead.
And with the District 6 seat open, Fannin said he won’t go down without a fight.
“I’m not conceding because it’s too close, and I know there will be some provisional ballots,” Fannin said. “I’m not sure what we’re going to do, but we’re trying to look at everything again, most especially absentee ballots.”
For now, at least, Berry said she is thankful.
“I want to thank everybody for their support,” Berry said. “It’s been a great race.”
But, with some 190 provisional ballots in Pike County overall, the vote could still swing for either candidate.
Provisional ballots will be counted next Wednesday by the Board of Registrars.
Following other County Commission races Tuesday, incumbents will return to the commission table in their first meeting next week.
Republican incumbent Jimmy Barron came out big in the three-way contested District 3 race.
Barron took 55.8 percent of the votes, with 1,128 total votes. Democrat opponent Kathleen Forbish took 509 votes, and independent Sherrill Calhoun had 383 votes.
“I want to thank God for giving me this opportunity and looking after me and my family in this long year,” Barron said. “I’m overwhelmed at the support I got and want to thank the people for putting their trust and confidence in me to move Pike County forward.”
And though it’s over for Forbish right now, it won’t be the last Pike County sees of her.
“It was a learning experience, I enjoyed it and I learned a lot,” Forbish said. “I’m not going to bed. I will go to the commission and voice my opinion on different things.”
Forbish said she isn’t sure whether she will run again in four years.
Calhoun could not be reached for comment.
District 4’s Democrat incumbent overcame his opposition Brian Floyd with a 63.8 percent majority, 1,349 votes to 766.
“I’m honored to serve the people again for the next four years,” Goodson said. “I want Pike County to be the best it can be, and with God’s help it will be.”
Floyd could not be reached for comment after the election.
District 5’s Charlie Harris came out victorious over his independent opponent Jeff Baker.
With 1,238 votes to Baker’s to 1,169, Harris took the seat by 77 votes.
“This day, when I woke up this morning and had time with just me and the Lord, I talked to him and he told me don’t worry,” Harris said. “I want to thank my wife for being so supportive, my brothers, Hasting and Joel, and my church family.”
Baker could not be reached for comment.
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Comments
Posted by shiftingshadows (anonymous) on November 5, 2008 at 3:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
yay Jimmy Barron!
Posted by Ramsey (anonymous) on November 5, 2008 at 6:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It was a great turnout in Pike County and I am thankful that we had people who chose to run for these offices!
Posted by turtle (anonymous) on November 5, 2008 at 7 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I question the district three numbers. But, if that's what it is I hope the voters are district three are happy with four more years of what they have been complaining about. You voted it, you got it.
Posted by shiftingshadows (anonymous) on November 5, 2008 at 7:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Complaining about Barron? he is amazing... obviously since he won with 55% to #2 at 25%?
Posted by gnorris (anonymous) on November 5, 2008 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You are right Oren it's not over till it's over. You had your chance to do the right thing. If the voters of Pike county knew the truth about you it would already be over.
Posted by turtle (anonymous) on November 5, 2008 at 9:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
People have complained about the current county commision for at least two years now (and Barron is one of them) yet they re-elected all of them. He may be amazing for you but he was not my choice and I find it suspicious his numbers jumped so high with the last 25% of the boxes. Oh well, he's in but I don't take that blame.
Posted by ilovefood (anonymous) on November 5, 2008 at 10:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
turtles comments.."He may be amazing for you but he was not my choice and I find it suspicious his numbers jumped so high with the last 25% of the boxes. Oh well, he's in but I don't take that blame."
First of all the last 25 % that was turned in ;was from Park Memorial and Banks Precicts..in which he did well so i dont know why it is suspicious. if i am not mistaking i think park memorial box was the biggest.....
Posted by hsbd4 (anonymous) on November 5, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
(Turtle)I don't think that it is Barron that people don't like in the Commission. I think it is people like Harris, Wright, and Goodson. I hear complaints about these three all the time yet they were voted back in. I think this is because a lot of people voted straight Democrat. Harris can't even speak proper English and the same goes for the retired teacher(Forbish) of 30 years. Calhoun is not any better either.
Posted by shiftingshadows (anonymous) on November 5, 2008 at 3:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i knew the other canididates in district three, like hsbd said... they werent any good.. calhoun is lazy and would miss half the meetings... Barron is not who people are complaining about... its Harris mostly, and adam drinkwater(who was not re-elected) personally after covering county commission for so long i didnt mind goodson, however he was ultra liberal with his spending... as was harris and wright...
I voted in the park box for Barron and proud of it. :)
Posted by ilovefood (anonymous) on November 5, 2008 at 3:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
IS IT THE BIGGEST BOX THOUGH? im in district 6 so im not 100 % sure but its most likely
Posted by shiftingshadows (anonymous) on November 5, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i think he meant the biggest box in district 3...
Posted by turtle (anonymous) on November 5, 2008 at 8:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Okay, I'll take that into consideration as for the boxes. However I've known Sherill all my life and he was a good commissioner when there before. He is FAR from a lazy man, he works seven days a week. Also if he says he'll do something, he does it. People may not like him because he says what he thinks and that is one of the main reasons I respect him. I was a student of Mrs. Forbish's and she was one of the best teachers I ever had and think the comment on her English as well as Mr. Charlie's was a low blow and dispicable. I think people in this area just have a problem with people who speak their minds like Sherill and Mr. Charlie. People like to live in their bubbles and can't cope with reality and true honesty. Shiftingshadows, I'm glad you are proud of your vote. I'm proud of mine too even if some of my picks weren't the winners.
Posted by shiftingshadows (anonymous) on November 5, 2008 at 10:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
yes, i never said anything about charlie's english... just his spending in the commission... as well as some others... never said it was bad either just said he spent liberally.... but yeah... as far as Sherill Calhoun the only things ive ever encountered with him was trying to rent and him not showing up at meetings... time after time... til we finally went elsewhere, and the fact that at park he lined his signs and truck with a huge sign up just 30 feet from the building... barely legal and it shouldt have been legal... yes i believe everyone should be proud of their vote as i am for nader/gonzalez, bright, sessions, twinkle, barron, and shaw... and voting NO to amendment one... half of those i did lose..
Posted by hsbd4 (anonymous) on November 7, 2008 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
they can't speak proper english and that is a fact! @ shifting shadows if Goodson was ultra liberal in spending then why did people vote him back in after all isn't that the county'sproblem?
Posted by shiftingshadows (anonymous) on November 7, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
hshb, the same reason they voted charlie harris back in office, some people like liberal spending, plus they do have really good relationships with their following...
Posted by hsbd4 (anonymous) on November 7, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
That liberal spending is what is wrong with this country and what is wrong with this county. What do you mean good relationships with their following?
Posted by shiftingshadows (anonymous) on November 7, 2008 at 6:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
the ones that vote for them love them... and they dont see it as a problem they see it as "they got stuff done" im not agreeing or disagreeing with you... i know them personally and they are nice guys... easy to get along with... but ive also covered commission meetings and saw them spend money we didnt have, then when the counties deficit was out of control they asked "where is all this in the budget, where is all the money at"
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