Centerton Neighborhood Watch

Griffith Wins Centerton Mayoral Race

Apr 09, 2008

Centerton voters picked Bobbie Griffith to finish former Mayor Ken Williams' term in a special election Tuesday.

Griffith has acted as interim mayor since Williams' November resignation, which followed his acknowledgment he had been living under an assumed name. Griffith has also been the city's recorder and treasurer since 1993.

"I'm just excited," Griffith said. "The people have voiced their opinion and I'm pleased with that."

The first issue she will tackle is assisting the water and sewer commission in finding a feasible, economic way to provide sewer service to Centerton, Griffith said. The city now has a contract with Bentonville that runs through 2018.

Someone must be appointed to finish Griffith's term as recorder and treasurer, which ends in January. Griffith will recommend a replacement and the City Council will vote whether to approve.

Griffith plans to have a staff meeting soon to ensure everyone is happy with the way things are going, she said. She also wants to address the residents' needs, she said.

Griffith previously cited several issues as important - helping Centerton transition to a first-class city, providing parks and ball fields within city limits, improving the city's infrastructure, and enticing businesses.

Griffith received 206 votes (62 percent) to defeat three opponents, Judy Patterson, Mike Morris and Lewis Patton. Although Morris' name was on the ballot, he previously said he backed out of the race.

Patterson received 63 votes (19 percent); Patton received 56 votes (17 percent); and Morris received 9 votes (3 percent). The vote percentages total 101 percent because the reported percentages rounded up.

The tallies are preliminary and the election commission has up to 15 days to certify the results, Benton County Election Coordinator James McCarthy said.

Patton waited for the results at the election commission and said he's disappointed with the voter turnout. Of Centerton's 2,706 registered voters, 334 voted, which brings turnout to 12 percent.

Now that Griffith won, everyone should support her, Patton said.

"People voted for whoever they wanted to vote for," Patton said. "I congratulate her with all my heart."

http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2008/04/08/news/040908bzcentertonmayor.txt