Some towns elect new mayor, councilmen

Several Wiregrass communities elected new mayors Tuesday, including Midland City, where Virgil Skipper defeated Charles “Chick” Gary in a tight battle.

“We have a good council on board and I will be able to work with all of them,” Skipper said. “Most of the people in Midland City I have talked to are ready for a change and there will be changes.”

Skipper said he isn’t sure what changes he will implement, but added he has about a month before taking office to determine priorities for the town.

Only five votes separated Skipper and Gary in the Aug. 26 election that featured six candidates, but Skipper gained 281 votes Tuesday to 227 for Gary.

“I want to be a mayor for all the people of Midland City, not just the privileged,” he said.

In other news, Samson re-elected Mayor Clay King, who pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor charges in July.

The charges included one count of battery and one count of criminal mischief.

Greg Phillips contributed to this article.