| Driskell Elected Mayor |
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| Saturday, 16 May 2009 19:59 |
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ANNA, TX - As the final election results rolled in Saturday night, supporters of the Driskell Campaign who gathered at Crow's Country Cafe erupted into jubiliant celebration as it became official that Anna councilman Darren Driskell was the new Mayor-Elect of Anna. Driskell who lead in the early voting by only one vote 99 to 98, extended his lead when the final numbers came in, giving him 232 votes; beating incumbent Mayor Kenneth Pelham who received 191 votes Pelham, mayor of Anna for the past six years, found himself in a difficult campaign having to campaign against not only Councilman Driskell, but also his politically active wife Stacy, President of the Greater Anna Chamber of Commerce. In the end, Pelham could not survive the Driskell political juggernaut losing his re-election bid.
Driskell, in a statement to The Anna News, said: "What an exciting time in the City of Anna. I want to thank everyone for your vote of confidence. This is a victory not just for me, but the entire city. My family and I ask that you continue to pray for us as we embark on some wonderful time in Anna. Pray that I would have clarity and do things in the best interest of our community as a whole. As Angie Toles said, I am very mindful of our history and am looking with great enthusiasm to our future. I am not alone in this as I will work hard with the entire council and city staff to accomplish great things. I am looking forward to serving as the Mayor of Anna". Driskell added,"Please join me and the rest of the community at the Anna Glow Fest on Friday night, May 22nd, as we unveil the new logo and brand for the City of Anna. Be sure to find me and introduce yourself, as it is always my position that I be approachable and available". The mayor's race, was viewed by many observers as a political contest between "old" and "new" Anna. Kenneth Pelham, a long time Anna resident, graduate of Anna High School class of 1987, Anna mayor for six years, ran a low key campaign focusing on the theme of "Mayor for all people". During the campaign Pelham said "I don't vote for a small group of people that may live in our wealthiest communities. It makes no difference to me whether you make one dollar a year, or hundreds of thousands. I treat you with the same respect. I am mayor to all". Darren Driskell, a first term Anna councilman, and a resident with his family in Anna for over two years, ran an aggressive campaign hammering away the need for change in the mayor's office from, what Driskell termed as "reactive" to "proactive". During the campaign Driskell said "We must take control. I believe you don't wait for things to happen to you, rather you need to happen to them". |






