
DATE: Wednesday, October 8, 1997            TAG: 9710080503

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 

SERIES: Decision '97

SOURCE: BY JEFFREY S. HAMPTON, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY                    LENGTH:   85 lines

E.C. MAYOR GARDNER WINS THIRD TERM BY ONLY 7 VOTES, ROBINSON REBUFFS LEARY, HANGS ON TO CITY COUNCIL SEAT

Mayor Rick Gardner won his third term Tuesday in a close race against challenger Anita Hummer.

Unofficial results show he captured 1,466 votes to Hummer's 1,013.

``I've never had a more difficult campaign than this,'' Gardner said from his home Tuesday night as a loud gathering of supporters celebrated in the background. ``I feel the people of Elizabeth City have said, `Continue your style of leadership, and let's go forward.' ''

Hummer was the first woman ever to run for the Elizabeth City's mayor's office. She gave up her Second Ward council seat and a position as mayor pro tem to run.

In the election's biggest surprise, W.O. ``Olie'' Leary came within seven votes of beating 12-year incumbent A.C. Robinson Jr.

Robinson, favored to win in the heavily black Fourth Ward, received 313 votes to Leary's 306.

``This shows that race relations are not as bad as people might think,'' Leary said from his home Tuesday night, pleased with his showing.

Robinson needed to win 40 percent of the vote plus one to win. His unofficial vote count was 41.7 percent. Leary said he would call for a runoff if possible.

A third candidate in the Fourth Ward, Carlotta Jordan, received 131 votes. If a runoff were held, some Leary supporters believe, Jordan's votes would go to him.

With local elections apparently over, Robinson planned to run for vice president of the North Carolina League of Municipalities in two weeks.

``I thank God,'' Robinson said. ``I thank the citizens of the Fourth Ward.''

Darryl Stallings edged Jereline Lynn with 243 votes to 220 in the Third Ward. Stallings was attempting to gain the seat vacated by his mother, Dorothy Stallings, who declined to run for re-election.

In the Second Ward, Jeannie Young defeated Linda Barrett 308 votes to 211.

``I'm tickled I won, but I hate it that she lost,'' Young said after learning of her victory.

In the First Ward, incumbent Lloyd Griffin beat challenger Shirley Simpson 478 to 232.

In a moderate turnout, 2,553 of the city's 8,900 registered voters cast ballots, about 28 percent. Only 16 percent voted in city elections two years ago. This was the first Elizabeth City election since 1987 in which all races were contested.

Even in the final hours of Election Day, southern hospitality still had its place. Griffin bought Simpson a soft drink while they campaigned just outside the Pasquotank County Library on the unseasonably warm afternoon.

``You've got to be friends,'' Griffin said. ``There's no need to fuss and fight.''

Hostilities were reserved for the mayor's race. Hummer attacked Gardner's record repeatedly in recent weeks during two candidates forums and a debate held at Elizabeth City State University. In four years on the council, Hummer gained a reputation for drawing the ire of fellow council members.

``Sometimes, in local elections, personality is more important than what the person has done,'' said Betsy Smith, who was handing out literature for Gardner at the library. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic

VOTING

MAYOR

Gardner: 1,466

Hummer: 1,013

WARD 1

Griffin: 478

Simpson: 232

WARD 2

Young: 308

Barrett: 211

WARD 3

Stallings: 243