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Burton, Smell Capture Seats on Council at Bridgeport City Election; Murray Wins Unopposed as Recorder

By Jeff Toquinto on June 11, 2019 via Connect-Bridgeport.com

Heading into today’s election, there was a guarantee that there was going to be a new look to Bridgeport City Council. Not because voters had indicated anything in any particular manner, but due to the fact Council member Lowell “L.J.”  Maxey had announced earlier this year he was not seeking a second term.
 
The new face on Council, with two seats up for grabs, also led the ticket. Former Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Director Don Burton paced the way with 478 votes in his first run at an elected office. Incumbent Jeff Smell finished as the runner-up with a total of 374 votes.
 
Both Burton and Smell will serve four-year terms. They will be joined by incumbent City Record Dr. Harry M. “Hank” Murray, who ran unopposed, finishing with 565 votes.
 
Burton spent decades with the city as its P&R director. He recently retired but decided to take a chance to get back involved and now will be doing just that.
 
“I’m surprised and very happy that the voters of this city have the confidence in me,” said Burton. “I put 30 years in as Parks and Recreation Director and I felt like I still wanted to give back to the community of Bridgeport.”
 
Smell will be starting his second four-year stint. Like Burton, he offered praise to those who put him back on the city’s governing body.
 
"I’m very pleased and humbled by this and I’m ready to get back to work,” said Smell. “I appreciate the confidence the community has put into me to do this for another four years.”
 
Donnie Tate finished in third place with 167 votes, while James Yeater was fourth with 136 votes. Adam Starkey finished fifth with 34 votes.
 
Burton said there are plenty of things to address but hopes to see the good things continue in the city he’s been involved with for decades.
 
“I hope to see the city stay on track and continue to be progressive,” said Burton. “We need to make sure we stay in the right direction and, of course, I want to see a continuation of a strong Parks and Recreation for Bridgeport.”
 
Smell talked about the biggest Parks and Recreation project in the city as something that will draw plenty of focus during the next four years.
 
“The indoor rec complex has to be at the top of the list. We have to get that contract sealed up, get it awarded and get the complex up and operational,” said Smell.
 
Bridgeport had a voter turnout of 25.7 percent, which Donna Krivosky said was a lower turnout than 2017. There were 178 early voters this year compared to 640 in 2017.
 
The election canvas will be held Monday, June 17 at 7:30 a.m. It will then be certified by City Council on June 24, which will be Maxey’s final meeting.
 
OVERALL TOTALS
 
478 votes for Don Burton
136 votes for James Yeater
374 votes for Jeff Smell
34 votes forAdam Starkey
167 votes for  Donnie Tate
 
Recorder Candidate
 
565 votes for Dr. Harry M. “Hank” Murray
 
PRECINCT BY PRECINCT TOTALS
 
Here are the results for Precinct 126, Johnson Elementary School, the first of five.
Council Candidates
 
38 votes for Don Burton
19 votes for James Yeater
47 votes for Jeff Smell
5 votes for Adam Starkey
5 votes for Donnie Tate
 
Recorder Candidate
 
58 votes for Dr. Harry M. “Hank” Murray
 
Here are the results for Precinct 125, Simpson Elementary School, the second of five.
Council Candidates
 
89 votes for Don Burton
15 votes for James Yeater
69 votes for Jeff Smell
5 votes for Adam Starkey
30 votes for Donnie Tate
 
Recorder Candidate
 
101 votes for Dr. Harry M. “Hank” Murray
 
Here are the results for Precinct 129B, Bridgeport High School Cafeteria, the third of five.
Council Candidates
 
53 votes for Don Burton
22 votes for James Yeater
45 votes for Jeff Smell
3 votes for Adam Starkey
22 votes for Donnie Tate
 
Recorder Candidate
 
80 votes for Dr. Harry M. “Hank” Murray
 
Here are the results for Precinct 123, Simpson Creek Baptist Church, the fourth of five.
Council Candidates
 
149 votes for Don Burton
31 votes for James Yeater
119 votes for Jeff Smell
9 votes for Adam Starkey
65 votes for Donnie Tate
 
Recorder Candidate
 
167 votes for Dr. Harry M. “Hank” Murray
 
Here are the results for Precinct 129, Bridgeport High School Economics, the fifth of five.
Council Candidates
 
149 votes for Don Burton
49 votes for James Yeater
94 votes for Jeff Smell
12 votes for Adam Starkey
45 votes for Donnie Tate
 
Recorder Candidate
 
159 votes for Dr. Harry M. “Hank” Murray
 
Editor's Note: Top photo shows Don Burton, right, talking with former Bridgeport Community Development Director Randy Spellman as results come in. Second photo shows Jeff Smell with his daughter Myleigh looking at recently posted results from a precinct. Bottom photo shows City Clerk  Donna Krivosky, standing, with Ballot Commissioner Carole Kinard. Photos by Ben Queen of www.benqueenphotography.com.


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