Sisters Anna, 4, Kate, 6, and Tinley, 2, from left, were especially interested Thursday in how grownups, like mom Dedra Ludwig, sign in to vote. Hopewell precinct workers MaryAnn Near and Karen McDonald, from left, presented "I vote'' stickers to the girls.CLEVELAND, Tenn. - One Bradley County school board race remains unfinished even as several incumbents have retained their positions in Cleveland and Charleston contests.
In Bradley County, only five contests were opposed affairs in the Aug. 2 general election: two Cleveland City Council races, two Bradley County school board races, and the Charleston City Commission race, all of which have four-year terms.
Local businessman Nicholas Lillios received 801 votes to longtime educator Melvin "Teddy" Bryson's 800 votes in the District 3 seat of the county school board. Election officials said that three provisional votes remain to be counted, but cannot be tallied until after Monday at 5 p.m.
"It just goes to show you that one vote can make a difference," Bryson said. "However, it's not over."
Lillios could not be reached for comment.
Businessman Chris Turner earned 48.60 percent of the votes for the District 1 seat of the county school board, defeating Ben F. Atchley and Laura Mountain, who earned 24.98 percent and 26.27 percent of the votes, respectively.
Dale Hughes, who was previously appointed to fill an unexpired term for the District 5 Cleveland City Council seat, defeated candidates Tucker Johnston and Jonathan Porter, taking 55.17 percent of the vote.
Incumbent Avery Johnson, District 3 city councilman, defeated challenger William "Bill" Wheeler, with 55.46 percent of the vote.
"It was an interesting campaign," said Johnson, who has served on the city council for nearly 19 years. "My only joy [in campaigning] is going out and meeting people, to get an understanding of how they feel."
Members of the Cleveland City Council earn $7,200 annually.
In the Charleston City Commission race, incumbents Larry Anderson and Donna McDermott each received nearly 40 percent of the votes, defeating Tony Whitener who earned just over 22 percent of the votes.
Charleston commissioners earn $3,000 annually.