Washington Grove’s mayor re-elected after rare challenge

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Washington Grove’s mayor re-elected after rare challenge

by Chris Robinson | Staff Writer

E-mail this article \ Print this article

Washington Grove Mayor John Compton is headed for his ninth term in office after defending his seat from first-time challenger John Tomlin.

Compton received 64 votes, while Tomlin received 49 votes Saturday in what the town Board of Elections called one of the largest voter turnouts in the Washington Grove’s history, Town Clerk Kathryn Lehman said Monday.

It was the first contested mayoral race in 17 years, and was the first held in May instead of June. That change was made to bring Washington Grove in compliance with state law, town election officials have said.

Compton, 58, said he was pleased with the election, though he said this will be his last term.

‘‘I’ve just been at it a long time,” he said Tuesday by phone from Boston, where his daughter graduated from Emerson College. ‘‘I would’ve not run this year except that I was encouraged by a few people.”

Compton said he looks forward to winding up a few issues in his final term, such as completing an evaluation of the town’s master plan and protecting the Casey Field from development.

The town also hired its first code inspector earlier this month, Compton said.

Tomlin, 61, said he was glad to see a large voter turnout, and hasn’t ruled out the possibility of running again next year. Washington Grove mayors are elected for one-year terms and are unpaid.

‘‘I still feel very strongly about the issues I raised this year,” Tomlin said Monday. ‘‘Assuming there are no major changes in my life until then, I’d very seriously consider running again.”

Tomlin wanted to strengthen communication with nearby cities and introduce open hours at town hall to hear residents’ concerns.

On Monday, he also stressed the importance of having Washington Grove residents keep abreast of developing local issues, such as increasing density in newly annexed areas.

Town Council candidates Marida Hines, 51, and former mayor Charlie Challstrom, 56, received 86 and 94 votes, respectively, for two council seats, Lehman said. They were uncontested.

Council members serve for staggered three-year terms and also are unpaid.

The election results were announced during a budget meeting Saturday, Lehman said.

A swearing-in ceremony is scheduled during a public meeting that begins at 7 p.m. Monday at McCathran Hall, 300 Grove Ave.

The meeting is scheduled to include appearances by District 39 Dels. Nancy King, Charles Barkley and Saqib Ali, as well as a hearing on zoning and annexation issues, Lehman said.