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Epie, Russell in Place 5 Council Runoff

May 18, 2007

By LOYD BRUMFIELD / Today Newspapers

Incumbents were re-elected across the board in Cedar Hill city and school board elections May 12, but one city council member faces a runoff vote.

Place 5 incumbent Makia Epie got the most votes between a slate of four, getting 629 votes (38.28 percent of the vote) and bested second-place finisher Jason Russell, who finished with 449 votes (27.33 percent).

The two will face each other again in a June 16 runoff because neither got the required 50 percent of the vote to avoid the extra election.

Russell, running for public office for the first time in his life, fended off a staunch challenge from current Cedar Hill School Board member Valerie Banks, who received 435 votes in finishing third behind Russell by just 14 votes.

First-time challenger Wirt “Stoney” Jackson picked up 130 votes in the crowded Place 5 field.

In other races, Place 1 school board incumbent Terrel Nemons defeated challenger (and former CHISD board member) James Charles 53.36 percent to 47.64 percent (754 votes and 686 votes, respectively).

In addition, incumbent Mayor Rob Franke won a fifth term by getting 96.39 percent of the vote against write-in candidate Phillip Bielamowicz, Place 3 city council incumbent Wade Emmert was unopposed and re-elected with 100 percent of the vote, along with CHISD Place 2 incumbent Amy Allen.

The closest race was for second place in the Place 5 council runoff. Banks, who will continue to serve on the CHISD board, said she will not ask for a recount and planned to endorse either Epie or Russell the day after the election.

“I thought about (a recount), but it is what it is,” Banks said. “I’m just going to let that go and come back fighting another day.”

Epie led comfortably all night as returns started to come in, and Russell saw his second-place lead shrink as more precincts reported in.

“Toward the end of this week, I kind of felt like I had raised a baby and sent it off to college,” Russell said of his first-ever political campaign. “From the time when there were five of 17 precincts reporting, and then 15 of 17 for the longest time, I just wanted it to be over.

“And when I finally saw the totals after the 17th precinct came in, I have to say, there were tears.”

Epie, an 11-year veteran of the council, has faced a runoff once before with totals that pretty much mirrored what happened on May 12, he said.

“There’s more work,” he said. “I really don’t know what to say, because it’s not over yet. I’ve just got to go back and keep working, keep talking to people. It’s been a great exercise.”

Nemons, who ran against Charles for the second time and is now 1-1 lifetime against him, credited the voters.

“It was pretty close. A lot closer than I would’ve liked it to be,” he said. “Obviously, the majority of the voters felt I have been an effective board member, and my record speaks for itself.”

Charles, a former incumbent who lost his seat on the board to Sonya Grass last year, didn’t know the results of his race when he was called for comment.

“I think that’s pretty good,” he said of the result. “The board would rather deal with (Nemons) than me. But last year I got beat worse than this. I lost 2-1.”

Charles reiterated that the district has pressing issues to deal with, and the closeness of the vote indicated his message is starting to reach voters.

“I’m not disappointed at all. I think we sent a message to this board that it has to get things done,” he said. “These seven people we have on the board now, they have to wake up.

“A lot of people probably want me to go away, but James Charles isn’t going away. James Charles is a fighter.”

Nemons spent May 11 staying up late getting ready for election day, helping to put signs out and discuss issues, he said.

“I just wanted to get the word out to individuals as best I could,” he said. “I’ve been a collaborative board member, someone who wants to work with the board and seek common ground.”

Epie awoke around 4 a.m. to start his election day routine.

“I went out and planted some signs, then spent about an hour taking people who were stranded to the (Head for the Hills) bike rally at the school,” he said. “Then I went out and started shaking hands, then went home and took a bit of a break and had a cold shower. Then I went back out.”

Epie also talked to people about city issues while he was out during the day, he said, adding that he went into some homes and shared their concerns.

“I was glad to explain why we do the things we do as a city,” he said. One of his future initiatives involves putting council meetings on television on a public access channel, he said, and he’s also interested in studying the possibility of giving rebates on water bills for residents who employ energy-efficient and “green” appliances that help save water.

Russell said watching the returns added to an already emotional day.

“This process started for me back in 2004 when I started going to city council meetings,” he said. “It’s something I’ve wanted to do. It’s been a passion for me.”

Russell, managing partner of Panera Bread Co. in Cedar Hill, credited his partner and members of his campaign staff in helping him get through his first election.

Banks said she was pretty calm and relaxed during election day.

“I’ve done what I can, so let the chips fall where they may,” she said. “Fourteen votes, that’s not a lot, but I don’t want to re-hash that.”

Banks is ready to go back to work on the school board, she said.

“Either way, I’m going to serve my community, and this was a big learning experience,” she said. “The people spoke today. Not as loud as I would’ve liked, but I was pleased with the experience.”

Russell had kind words for his opponents.

“Everyone who ran in Place 5 ran a great race, and each and every one of them can do good things for this city,” he said.

He also had a few words about turnout.

“For people who say their vote doesn’t count, well, I’m in a runoff by just 14 votes,” he said. “I’m elated with the results and looking forward to this next month and continuing to address voters’ concerns.”

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