THOMASVILLE — The man who will become Meigs mayor the third Monday in January said he is two years behind in getting started.

“But we’ll catch up. We’re ready to go,” Meigs mayoral victor Andrew A “Andy” Wurst said Tuesday night.

This year’s mayoral try is Wurst’s third for the office.

He defeated June Layton, who garnered 63 votes to 90 for Wurst. Mayoral candidate Viva Bass got nine votes.

Layton, an incumbent Meigs City Council member, is married to Jimmy Layton, Meigs police chief, who also acts as city manager.

Wurst’s first order of business will be to address Meigs audits’ status with the Georgia Department of Audits. The city’s 2007 and 2008 audits have not been approved by the state.

“We’ve been cut off from grant funds from the state since 2008 because of inconsistencies in the Meigs reports,” the mayor-elect explained.

Orville J. Creager, Frank L. Richards and Dorothy Wimes were elected to Meigs City Council without opposition.

In Boston, incumbent Mayor Danny Groover was returned to office with 196 votes to 97 for opponent Ronald Collins.

Groover was excited Tuesday night about his win.

“I just want to keep moving Boston in the right direction,” he said. Groover expressed gratitude for the opportunity to continue serving his hometown.

Mike Edwards was elected to Boston City Council, garnering 213 votes to 69 for Beverly K. Collins.

Edward J. Jones Jr. also was elected to Boston City Council. He received 187 votes to 95 for Joe Harris.

Coolidge Mayor Diane H. Causey was returned to office.

Causey, who could not be reached or comment Tuesday night, received 46 votes to 34 for challenger Major Barnwell and 29 for mayoral candidate Chad Mitchell.

Tommy Baker, John D. Blaha and Willie Henderson, all incumbents, were returned to Coolidge City Council. They were the three top vote-getters in a field of four.

Faye Hemby, L.D. Johnson, Joseph Lewis and Raiford Long won seats on Ochlocknee City Council. The top four vote-getters among seven council candidates were elected to the Ochlocknee posts.

The top three vote-getters among five candidates won seats on the Pavo City Council.

James H. Hart, Marvin Bryan and incumbent Bob Miller were elected to the Pavo seats.



Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820.