Election 2006: Same ol' same ol'

And that's obviously what the voters wanted yesterday. Jody Smith won re-election by a 70-30 vote. Given how her first term played out, and given how the world's quietest mayoral campaign went, the outcome of this race really wasn't a surprise.

Of more interest, at least from the final numbers, was the competitiveness of the LISD Board place 2 race. Vernell Gregg beat Chris Young 2357 to 2196, to Bobby Fowler's 3rd-place 799. Gregg won 44%, Young 41%. Correct me if I'm wrong, but there's no runoff in Lewisville ISD races (I don't think they're required in school board races, though some districts do anyway.)

Some notes:

• I enjoyed my brief visit to Town Hall yesterday afternoon. Jody was holding one end of a banner (Jan Balekian the other) and waving to people driving by on 1171. She was in her usual good spirits, but her mental focus was quite appropriately divided between getting re-elected and helping her oldest son get ready for Flower Mound's prom (his first) later in the evening. In fact, she was planning to attend the big FMHS after-party, the all-nighter after the prom. I'm sure she'll sleep late this morning, so no calls til afternoon, OK? By the way, when you see Jody, ask her about "three's a crowd" at Bari's the other day. I'll let her tell that story, but it's a good one about a mother and her son who's growing into a young man.
  
  
• Spent a few moments with Paul Stone. I'm sure he's thrilled to serve another two years, but he lamented the fact he didn't face a challenger this year. For some candidates, that would be mere lip service -- after all, who wouldn't want a free ride to re-election? But for Paul, whose service to this town goes back so many years before his first election, I know its a true sentiment. Our government, at every level, is stronger when there are people who will stand up and run.
  
  
• Didn't see Laurie Long in my brief visit. I'm told I hadn't missed her by much, that she had been out for quite a while that day.
  
  
• Met Jim Lang for the first time. Like he's been in our few e-mail exchanges, he seems like quite an affable fellow. He's a credible candidate with the right heart for public service, and he's got a lot of good ideas. I hope he'll continue to find ways to serve the Town, and I hope he'll run again, next time working alongside an experienced campaign manager who'll help him refine his message and get his name out there more. You cannot oust an incumbent mayor (a well-liked one at that) by running a campaign all by yourself.
  
  
• Vernell Gregg's camp had the Town Hall parking lot surrounded with vehicles and supporters at every corner. In a close race, this last show of strength may have given Vernell the edge to pull off a close victory.
  
  
• No surprises in Grapevine or Lewisville. In L-town, Gene Carey won easily over his can-vote-but-can't-drink challenger. In Grapevine, another stop in Victory Lane for Bill Tate. I guess most of the people there just love the man -- good for him!
  

Finally, I want to thank all the Flower Mound-area candidates for running a clean race. Even though I would have wished a more active campaign, I'm glad this one was fought primarily on the issues and qualifications of each candidate. All the candidates should be applauded.

Back to work, everyone!