Voters decide special elections in Newton, Decatur

By By William F. West / community editor
Feb. 18, 2003
Voters in Newton and Decatur headed to the polls today to fill open seats on each city's board of aldermen.
In Newton, Ward 3 residents will replace Alderman Charles Love, who died Jan. 2. On the ballot: Love's daughter, LaShunda, and Jerry Collier, Eric McCalphia and Eva McDonald.
LaShunda Love manages her father's funeral home; Collier is a chair assembly worker for La-Z-Boy; McCalphia is a leather dye cutter for La-Z-Boy; and McDonald owns and operates a day care center.
Voters have until 7 p.m. to cast their ballot at Newton City Hall, the only voting poll for the special election. The winner will represent a ward comprised mostly of Newton's west side.
In Decatur, Ward 1 residents will replace former Alderman Mike Miller, who resigned last month. On the ballot: Max Anderson, Robert Burton and Bobby Stevens.
Mikel Denson had planned to run, but City Clerk Jinya Lea Clarke said today the city Election Commission disqualified him for lacking the necessary number of signatures on petitions to place him on the ballot.
Anderson is a dairy farmer; Burton works with the regional office of the state Division of Medicaid in Newton; and Stevens is a contractor and dirt hauler.
The winner will represent an area east of Highway 15. Voters have until 7 p.m. to cast their ballot at Decatur City Hall, the only voting poll for the special election.
A vacancy also opened in Decatur's Ward 2 after former Alderman Chris Spears resigned.
However, only one person, Mark Buntyn, entered the race, making him the winner by default. Buntyn works in printing in the Philadelphia area.