By Staff
Jonathan Willis
Franklin County voters elected a new revenue commissioner and schools superintendent Tuesday.
Gene Ellison defeated Anthony Prince 2,743 to 2,279 in the race to replace Don Garrard as revenue commissioner. Garrard chose not to seek re-election.
"This is great," Ellison said. "It's a lot of hard work and I had a good opponent."
Ellison said he can only promise county voters one thing – and that's his best.
"I will do the absolute best I can do," he said.
County voters looked no further than the school system's central office to find a new superintendent.
Assistant Superintendent Gary Williams defeated Phil Campbell baseball coach Michael Beck 2,489 to 1,411.
"I feel relieved and humbled because of all the support and encouragement I got," Williams said. "There was always someone there to pat me on the back when I needed it and someone there to kick me when I needed to keep going."
Williams said he hopes to build on many of the projects in place.
"I want the county schools to be the best they can be," he said.
Williams will replace Bill Moss who chose not to seek a third term in office.