Jones elected new sheriff of Charles City; library referendum wins citizen approval

What began as a four-way race for sheriff in Charles City quickly emerged into a two-man battle between incumbent Javier Smith and challenger Alan Jones Sr. And in the end, it would be the newcomer who would emerge victorious by the slimmest of margins.

Jones received 1,186 votes from county residents, just 80 more than Smith’s 1,106 to win during Tuesday’s general election. Smith has served as sheriff for the past eight years after winning a four-way race in 2007 and topping a single challenger in 2011.

“I want to thank Jesus Christ, my family, friends, poll workers, and especially my supporters and the citizens of Charles City,” Jones said in a Wednesday evening interview. “I’m here for the citizens of the county and I will form a nice, strong relationship between the sheriff’s office, the county, and the citizens.”

The other two candidates vying for the post did not fare well. Ed Branch finished a distant third with 161 votes while Vance Richards received only 65.

Charles City’s Board of Supervisors will remain intact as incumbents pulled off a sweep to retain their positions.

In District 2, Bill Coada defeated Sherri Bowman for a second consecutive election to retain his seat on the board. Coada won his first term in 2011, topping then first-term incumbent Bowman and former supervisor Michael Holmes in a three-way race.

Coada held a 407-301 edge over Bowman in 2011. Tuesday’s vote showed a slightly narrower margin with Coada winning 481-393.

“The people have spoken and want to continue to go in the same direction that we have right now,” said Coada. “I’m grateful and thankful to the constituents for their continued support.”

In District 3, Floyd Miles Sr. put together a campaign strong enough to earn reelection, defeating challenger David Ledbetter 544-365. Miles earned a second term in his latest stint on the board. Previously, he served 14 years as a supervisor before opting to make a successful bid for the House of Delegates in the state’s General Assembly in 2001.

“I want to say thank you to all the citizens,” Miles commented. “We as a board will do everything in our power to keep this county moving forward and in the right direction.”

Longtime District 1 leader Gilbert Smith went unchallenged during this election to garner another four-year term.

Probably the biggest referendum in the state for the 2015 election stemmed from debate over construction of a library in Charles City. With the referendum asking citizens if the county should borrow $2.5 million in bonds to commence building a library and center for local history, a favorable vote pushed the referendum through. Despite alleged concerns that taxes will rise because of the new building, constituents voted 1,418-941 in favor of borrowing for the library.

In the only contested race for a seat on the county’s school board, District 1 first-term incumbent Helen Payne-Jones defeated former school board member Royce Paige 393-291. Back in 2011, Payne-Jones ousted Paige, a 17-year veteran of the board, by a similar count of 378-297.

“I am very thankful to the voters in District 1 for the confidence they have placed in me as their representative on the school board,” said Payne-Jones. “I am excited to continue working with the board and school division as each one of our members possess unique skills and perspectives to make this board successful.”

In two other contested races, Rob Tyler had little trouble defeating challenger Wayne Orrell to remain Charles City’s Commonwealth’s Attorney. Tyler won by a comfortable 2,006-465 margin.

“A lot of great Charles City people helped me with my campaign and I thank them for that,” Tyler said. “I want to thank the people of Charles City for entrusting the office of Commonwealth’s Attorney with me again.

“I take the responsibility of the office very seriously,” he continued. “I promise to work hard to represent the community and to do my best to be worthy of their trust.”

Victoria Cox-Washington received support of citizens as she claimed victory over Sandra Hunkele (1,417-998) to become the county’s new Clerk of Circuit Court.

“I just want to thank everybody for their support and contributions,” commented Cox-Washington. “I wouldn’t be in this position that I am in if it wasn’t for their voters and I am honored to serve them.”

Newcomer Herbert Johnson ran unopposed for the District 2 school board seat vacated by Barbara Crawley who retired. Other incumbents running unopposed were Preston Adkins (School Board- At Large), Steve Fuhrmann (School Board- At Large), Fred Browning (Soil and Water Conservation), Norman Hoffmeyer (Soil and Water Conservation), Mindy Bradby (Treasurer), Denise Burrell Smith (Commissioner of Revenue), and Martha Harris (School Board- District 3).

In state General Assembly races, Lamont Bagby (House of Delegates- 74th District), and Donald McEachin (Senate- 9th District) carried Charles City.

Of the 5,366 registered voters in Charles City, 2,643 or 49.3 percent cast ballots.