Published: Wednesday, Nov. 04, 2009 / Updated: Thursday, Nov. 05, 2009 01:17 PM
City gets new mayor, council members
TEGA CAY --
After a race for the mayor's seat that seemed to grow more contentious by the day, a new captain is at the city's helm.
Mayor Bob Runde conceded his post to incumbent Councilman George Sheppard about an hour after the polls closed Tuesday night.
“George has won,” Runde said. “The citizens made their decision for a change, and I'm hoping that the new administration will continue to improve Tega Cay.”
Tega Cay is also getting a new councilwoman. Attorney Dottie Hersey, a fixture at council meetings, was the top vote getter among six candidates. Former Councilman Stephen Perkins had the second most votes and will return to the council.
Unofficial voting results show Runde, who garnered less than 1,000 votes, trailed Sheppard by 402 votes after all four precincts.
“The numbers are significant enough that they couldn't be overcome,” he said. “We knew it was going to be a tough race.”
Balloting was closest in the Windjammer Precinct, where Runde trailed Sheppard by 28 votes.
Meanwhile, Sheppard celebrated a hard won victory.
“I am extremely overwhelmed at the confidence of the people of Tega Cay have placed in me,” said Sheppard, a council member of 22 months. “It's an extreme honor. I am humbled by the fact that they put their trust in me.”
“I am bubbling over,” he added. “My first item on the agenda is to go back to the budget. We've got a new set of eyes looking at the budget.”
Runde, first elected in 2002, has serious plans post mayorship.
"I'm going to have fun," he said. "That means we're going to Vegas, we'll travel, spend time with the family and play croquet," Runde said, referring to his wife Celia.
But don't look for the Tree City's two-term mayor to fade away.
"I will be active in the community, but it won't be in politics," he said.
Under Runde's leadership, the city improved communication with residents and began televising all city council meetings. The Tega Cay Police Department was outfitted in a new building, several parks were added to the city and improvements were made to Runde and Turner fields. In addition, crosswalks were installed along Tega Cay Drive, and the walking trail along the same street was extended, among other things.
"It's been a busy seven years," Runde previously told the Fort Mill Times.
One of the biggest developments under Runde's watch was Stonecrest. The mixed-used community is anchored by a Walmart and surrounded by other busy retail destinations.
"Tega Cay has been a bedroom community," he previously told the Times. "We managed to add a significant amount of commercial areas. We just need more."
Hersey, with the voters' permission, will not find out what life is like on the other side of the council's table.
“I'm very excited and very humbled,” said Hersey, 51. “So many people in the community took a chance with me. I will work hard to honor their vote.”
The attorney, who formerly managed a $30 billion dollar budget while working with the federal government, said she has one main goal: Fiscal responsibility.
“As soon as I take the oath of office, my first action will be to scrub the budget,” she said. “We need to build a reserve and reduce expenses.”
That means Tega Cayans will have to back up from the table and forget about window shopping.
“Indeed it does,” Hersey said. “We may have to bite the bullet.”
Hersey claimed 845 votes flanked by Perkins, who captured 712 votes, according to unofficial voting results. Perkins, 45, a former three-year Tega Cay City Council member, claimed Tega Cay's second at-large seat.
“I'm relieved to have the campaign over and excited to be getting back on council and going to work on the city issues,” he said.
The insurance vice president is making a comeback at a time when the city's budget gap and low fund balance are major issues. City leaders, including Runde, have been taking flak for spending money – or proposing expenditures on projects such as a croquet court, when the city has public safety needs to cover.
“I want to look for ways to cut spending and divert monies into the reserve,” Perkins said.
Councilman John Dervay, 65, who was up for reelection, captured 703 votes – nine votes behind Perkins – according to unofficial results. Dervay did not immediately return calls for comment.
Becoming Mayor-elect means Sheppard must relinquish his city council seat, which triggers a special election. It was unclear Tuesday if Dervay or Thomas Fitzpatrick, who commanded 619 votes, will make a run for Sheppard's council seat.
Candidates Katherine Shive and Keen McHugh garnered 458 and 112 votes respectively, according to the unofficial results published by the York County Registration and Elections Office.
Tega Cay's Election Day ended with several celebrations, including a mega celebration at Sheppard's home.
“What a great day for Tega Cay,” Hersey said.
The mayor's post earns $6,000 annually while council members are paid about $3,600 a year.
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