By LindaBurchette

& Jesse Campbell

Upsets in the municipal elections in West Jefferson and Lansing saw incumbents ousted by newcomers while Jefferson incumbents, with no challengers, were returned to their seats on the boards of aldermen.

In unofficial results, West Jefferson voters returned Calvin Green (124) and Stephen Shoemaker (114) to the board along with newcomer Lester Mullis (104), all three with four-year terms. Alderman Jerry McMillan received 88 votes followed by Tod Hale with 80 and Mack Ham with 67.

Although Mullis is a fresh face to the West Jefferson board, he is hopeful that experiencing local politics first hand will enable him to serve his municipality to the best of his ability.

“I’m just looking forward to serving and working with the alderman,” Mullis said. “I’m going to hang in there and do the best I can. I have a lot to learn but I will do my best.”

Shoemaker thanked his constituents and stated that he is confident that the newly elected and returning aldermen are up to the challenge of bettering their community.

“First off, thanks to all my voters for the support for not only this election but for the last four years. I think we got a good group of aldermen to work with and we are going to continue to try to do the best job we can do. There is a whole lot left to do but we will continue to do our best. We are excited about our new situation. We hate that we lost Jerry McMillan, I don’t know anyone who has worked harder for the town but Lester Mullis will be a good addition. He is capable and I believe he will step up to the plate.”

There were 214 votes and two provisionals in West Jefferson out of 1,065 registered voters.

Lansing voters returned Bill Cline (35) and George Rembert III (26) and chose newcomer Mauvine Shepherd (33) for the four-year seats while Brenda Reeves (37) was returned to a two-year seat for which she had no challenger. In an unusual turn of events, write-in candidate Terry Paisley (2) was chosen for the two-year seat for which no candidate had filed.

Attempts to reach Paisley were unsuccessful and it is yet to be determined if Paisley will accept the position on the town board of aldermen.

Pleased to be returning to the board of alderman, Rembert was also delighted with the large voter turnout that took place in the Lansing municipality race. Lansing had 47 of the town’s 129 registered voters going to the polls, along with two provisionals.

“I think that Lansing should be proud of the number of people who got out to vote. It really was a shock and it was the best turnout we have had in sometime,” Rembert said.

He is also looking forward to working with the current aldermen in promoting Lansing’s tourism industry and business district.

“I think we have a good board that I believe will continue to make a Lansing a good place to live, run a business, and visit. I’m really excited,” Rembert explained.

Lansing Mayor Jason Ring explained that each alderman will be able to bring a unique skill set to the town board.

“I think we got a good slate. You look at the people that we have and they can all bring something to the table,” Ring said.

Other candidates on the ballot for the board’s four-year seats were incumbents Dennis Trainor (18) and Israel Church (3), and challenger Jeff Key (9).

Jefferson Aldermen Mark Johnston (39), Gwen Ashley (39) and Bluferd Eldreth (36) were all returned to their seats without challenge in an election that had 41 of the town’s 1,092 registered voters going to the polls.

Votes are unofficial until a canvas by the Ashe County Board of Elections takes place, scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 10.