Ward, Leeth headed to runoff for Colony mayor

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August 29, 2012

Ward, Leeth headed to runoff for Colony mayor

By Rob Ketcham The Cullman Times The Cullman Times Wed Aug 29, 2012, 12:03 AM CDT

COLONY — After Tuesday’s municipal elections, there will be a new mayor in the town of Colony.

Whether that title winds up going to Patrick Ward or Donnis Leeth, however, won’t be decided until a runoff on Oct. 9.

The two Colony councilmen will campaign for yet another month after garnering nearly identical vote totals Tuesday night. Of the 123 ballots cast — three were absentee — Ward received 50 votes (42 percent), and Leeth was close behind with 47 (39 percent).

Colony Mayor Morris Fitts lost his bid for re-election with 23 votes (19 percent).

Vernon “B.B.” Fields will take over Brenda J. Johnson’s Place 1 seat on Colony’s city council after defeating Johnson by a 76-41 vote. Incumbent Marcus Bradford retained his Place 5 seat by an 81-32 decision over Curtis D. Johnson.

Ward was extremely grateful to still be in the running for mayor following Tuesday’s results. He thanked Jesus, all the citizens who assisted and supported him, and even the people who didn’t cast their vote in his favor.

“It was very important for everyone to exercise that vote,” he said.

Ward’s message to voters leading up to the runoff won’t change in the slightest now that the field has been narrowed from three candidates to two.

“We definitely want to move Colony in a good direction and make sure the quality of life is where it needs to be,” he said. “The thing is, Colony was a great community, and we need to undergo a healing process. We need to go in a direction where everyone in the town of Colony is satisfied with the elected officials.”

Making citizens aware of the Oct. 9 vote will be Ward’s No. 1 priority. As long as the 278 people he said are registered to vote in Colony flock to the polls on that day, Ward feels he’ll be in good shape because of his experience on the Chamber of Commerce and NARCOG boards.

“I feel I am the right person for the job,” he said. “I’ve dealt with a lot of different sides of government.”

When reached by phone Tuesday night, Fitts reflected fondly on his one term as mayor, saying it went well other than a few instances where he and the city council “couldn’t see eye to eye.”

“I appreciate the town and appreciate serving them for four years,” Fitts said. “I have no regrets at all.”

The outgoing mayor didn’t say which of the remaining candidates he believed would ultimately win the position. Fitts feels either Ward or Leech can make an impact on the town, but he doesn’t think they can do it alone.

“The people are wonderful, and they’re going to have to work with us and bring ideas,” he said. “They can’t come and vote and then go home and sit down. It’s going to have to be a whole community working together.”

Leeth could not be reached by deadline of this article.

* Rob Ketcham can be reached at 256-734-2131, ext. 257 or at robk@cullmantimes.com.

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Ward, Leeth headed to runoff for Colony mayor

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