Busby blows by Harris in Livingston

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, August 25, 2004

LIVINGSTON – Gary Busby had no problem holding on to his District 1 seat on the Livingston City Council.

Busby defeated challenger Patrick Harris 265-57, pulling 82 percent of the vote compared to Harris’ 18 percent.

In winning re-election, Busby said voters apparently trusted the direction of the city of Livingston, and they didn’t have reason to change the structure of city government.

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Busby, however, didn’t take credit for the stable government.

“The city is being run by excellent employees, and they’re the ones that make us look good,” he said.

According to the incumbent, another key to such low turnover in Livingston’s city government was the ability to give constituents efficient city services.

As for his easy win over Harris, Busby said voters probably liked the thought of keeping things in order.

“I’d say [the voters] chose me because of my age and experience,” Busby said. “My opponent was young, and he didn’t have much experience to back his run.”

The District 1 City Council race was the only contested election on a night when many municipalities in West Alabama selected new mayors and city councils.

Mayor Tom Tartt, along with council members Hilton Ishee (District 2), Carl Sudduth (District 3), Nelson Hughes (District 4), and Iola Williams (District 5), faced no opposition on Tuesday night.