SHELL BEATS MARBLE HILL MAYOR

MARBLE HILL -- Voters in Marble Hill narrowly elected a new mayor Tuesday, replacing long-time mayor Shirley Cooper, who lost her bid for re-election by 14 votes.

Adrian Shell received 235 votes, Cooper, 221 and a third candidate for the post, Ricky L. Welker, received 10 votes.

For seats on the Marble Hill Board of Aldermen, incumbent Mildred Shell was victorious over challenger Earl Lee Lutes for a one-year term in Ward One. Shell received 157 votes to Lutes' 122.

In a race for a two-year term in Ward Two, incumbent Fred Thomas received 169 votes, over Lindell Seabaugh who received 115 votes.

In unopposed races on the board, F.X. Peters was elected to another term in Ward One with 115 votes, and City Collector Loveta Long will remain in her post with 328 votes.

Cooper has been the town's mayor since 1986. She also works as a teacher in the Meadow Heights School District.

Mildred Shell was appointed to the Ward One seat to take the place of David Jackson, who resigned his post to become the city's administrative assistant.