By Martin Couch
Three people put their names in the "hat" to be the Ward 2, Position 1 alderman after Ed Collins vacated his seat on the Bryant City Council to run against Ward 2, Position 2 alderman Chris Tipton.
Michael Chandler, Jim Garland and Brian Ruby were on Tuesday's ballot as potential alderman to replace Collins in Ward 2. However, after election results were finalized, it was determined that Chandler and Garland will have a run-off election on Nov. 23 to determine who gets the seat.[more]
"I want to thank everybody who voted for me and encourage everyone to put out the effort, since we will be one of the only ones on the ballot," Chandler said.
"I'm pleased with the election results and excited to be in a runoff with Mike Chandler," Garland said. "I think the key to winning a runoff is to get your core supporters to turn out to vote again in three weeks. My personal observation is that most people are kind of glad election day is over."
Early voting for the run-off election begins on Nov. 16 and goes through the 19, perfect for those residents who have plans for Thanksgiving, which will be the day after the election.
"They are important," Chandler added. "I appreciate all of the them, but in a run-off anything can happen. Like I've said during the whole campaign, there are two major issues that need to be addressed — flooding and streets — those two are the biggest issues and concerns that residents have. If I am elected, I will listen to the people and try to accomplish getting those issues resolved. Being on the City Council means that I am the voice of the people in our area and that's a responsibility."
Garland is the customer service manager for Entergy Arkansas and currently presides over the Government and Community Affairs committee in Bryant.
Chandler came out of Tuesday's election with the most votes 682 to Garland's 581 and Ruby's 197. Due the fact that none of the candidates got a 50 percent margin, the run-off is between the top two candidates. Chandler got 46.71 percent of the vote, while Garland got 39.79 percent.
