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Moore elected Williams Mayor
Over 700 come out for May 20 General Election

John Moore at the Grand Canyon Railway.

John Moore at the Grand Canyon Railway.

Current city council member John Moore will become the new mayor of Williams, replacing current Mayor Ken Edes. Edes, an area pastor, has held office for eight years and has served in city politics for 14 years. Moore, a former Williams police chief, has been on Williams City Council for four years.

Voters made a strong showing for the Williams race, with 720 votes cast in the mayoral election, according to data from the Coconino County Elections Department in Flagstaff.

Moore received 417 votes in yesterday's election. Edes received 300 votes. There were two write-in votes. Voter turnout was up for the May 20 election as compared to the March Primary election as well, where 600 votes were cast for Mayor.

Moore said he was glad that the election was over.

"It's been a long, drawn out time," he said. "I think it's been difficult for the candidates to a degree and difficult for the community. I'm happy that it's over and I'm happy with the results."

Newcomer William "Bill" Miller also became a new addition to Williams' City Council, after he inched past incumbent Williams Vice Mayor Bernie Hiemenz to win the council seat. Miller pulled in a total of 357 votes, while Hiemenz brought in 337 votes. Over 695 votes were cast for the council seat in the May 20 election. Hiemenz has served on Williams City Council for the past 12 years. Miller has been a Williams resident for the last five years.

"It's a very close election and I don't know if it's been officially certified or not," Miller said. "I think that Bernie's done a fine job the last 12 years. I'm looking forward to working with the people who live here. It's going to be a new experience for me and I'm looking forward to it."

Numbers seemed evenly split between the two voting precincts in Williams during the May 20 election. Voters in north Williams cast a total of 359 votes for the mayoral election. A total of 349 votes were cast for the council election. A total of 361 votes were cast for mayor in south Williams, while 346 votes were cast for the city council seat. Hiemenz garnered more votes in south Williams than Miller, though it wasn't enough to secure his seat.

Williams City Clerk Harry Holmes said official election results are expected to be sent to members of Williams City Council within the next 20 days.

"All four newly elected people will be sworn in at the same time," Holmes said, adding that a canvass of votes should will be scheduled after city officials receive the final results from county elections personnel.

The new mayor, as well as the new council members, may be sworn in as early as next week or the first week of June. Besides Moore and Miller, James Wurgler and Frank McNelly were also elected to council seats during the city's Primary Election in March.


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