Incumbent Blue Ridge City Councilman Jack Taylor won his reelection bid in last Tuesday’s election, defeating challenger Michael Peters 132 to 122.
Taylor was one of three council members on the ballot. Council members Kritsy Kay and Bill Bivins both ran unopposed and were re-elected. Kay received 208 votes and Bivins received 203.
Taylor, Kay and Bivins will all now serve full, four year terms on the council. They were originally elected to two year terms when council terms were staggered in the last election.
Of the 254 votes cast in Taylor’s race, he captured one of two provisional ballot, 65 of the advanced votes, and 66 election day votes.
Peters received two provisional votes, 65 advanced votes, and 55 election day votes.
Taylor expressed his thanks to the voters who returned him to his seat. “I want to thank everyone who came out and supported me in this election,” Taylor said.
“These votes of support show the majority of Blue Ridge citizens are firmly behind what I’ve tried to do on the council, which includes controlling growth and keeping a civil atmosphere among council members.
“This council has worked for the good of all citizens, not just select groups, and voters have shown they appreciate that effort,” Taylor said.
Taylor said he will continue the same approach he has exhibited the last two years for the next four. “That’s the will of the people,” he said.