City of Alexander 2016 runoff election results

The following is the runoff election results for the City of Alexander Ward-3 Position-1 seat. The runoff election is between Alderwoman Andrea Bearden and political newcomer Harold Timmermen.

Because Alexander is in both Saline and Pulaski counties each position has two vote counts. The column labeled “S” represents Saline and the “P” represents Pulaski. Both counties report 100% of the votes as counted.

****************************** S + P = TOTAL

Alderman – Ward-3, Position-1

Andrea Bearden (Incumbent) ............ 31 + 2 = 31 – 27.73%

Harold Timmerman ........................... 83 + 3 = 83 – 72.27%

Absence makes the process go slower

If any one of the three absent City of Alexander aldermen had attended the regular November meeting a minor annexation ordinance might have been approved in one night. As it stands, Mayor Paul Mitchell could only read the ordinance to those who attended the meeting. The second reading is expected to be held at the December council meeting and depending on how many aldermen attend will determine if a third meeting is needed.

The proposed ordinance will annex additional land to property occupied by “My Ample Storage” along Highway 5 near Alexander Road. The rest of the property is already in the City.

The discovery came after the city council was presented with a preliminary plan, at the October meeting, to move some of the storage buildings from the front of the property to another location. Engineer Jacob White said the widening of Highway 5, between Alexander and Bryant, requires moving the front wall and some storage units away from the highway. A parking area will also be included in the renovation.

After the meeting there was some doubt as to whether the business was in the City. It was determined the portion of the property being used was in Alexander, but the new area where construction will occur isn’t. The owners have said they prefer to be in the City.

Absent from the November council meeting was Louis Hobbs, Andy Mullins and Andrea Bearden. According to state law an ordinance of this type requires three public readings, at three separate meetings, on three different days. That requirement can be avoided if two-thirds of the city council votes to override the three reading requirement. On an eight-member council six would have to vote “Yes.” The five members present were Stephanie Beck, Lonny Chapman, Dan Church, Melissa Ratliff, and Farren Wadley.

As a side note, Hobbs and Mullins lost their attempts to be re-elected to the council during the November 8, General Election. Bearden was forced into a run-off with challenger Harold Timmerman. The run-off election is Tuesday, November 29.

The next meeting of the Alexander city council is Monday, December 19. The meeting will be held at 6 PM in the courtroom at the City of Alexander Municipal Complex. The public is invited to attend.

Annexation on City of Alexander agenda

(Correction 11/20/2016 @ 10:27 AM)

The Alexander City Council will be presented with an annexation request at its November 21 meeting. It's been discovered a portion of "My Ample Storage" on Highway 5 is not in the city. The business must move its front wall and some buildings due to widening of the highway.

The Monday, November 21 city council meeting will be held at 6 PM in the courtroom at the Alexander Municipal Complex. The public is invited to attend.

We apologize for the mix up of information.