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Tuesday, Nov. 03, 2009

Wilson will take reins as Gray’s new mayor

Gray has its first new mayor in more than a decade.

Gus Wilson won the post tonight that will be vacated by Mayor Jason Briley, who didn’t run for the first time since taking office in 1997.

Wilson bested Lehman Wood by a 362-219 tally in a race that saw both men run on plans to oversee and attract commercial and industrial growth in and around the Jones County seat.

Wilson, 53, a former bait-and-tackle shop owner, said, “I just look forward to working with the citizens and the city council and try to move forward with growth in Gray. ... I’m proud that the citizens think enough of me and think that I can do the job and will look out for their best interests.”

Four years ago, the Gray mayor’s race attracted 634 voters, 53 more than the 581 who turned out Tuesday.

“I’m real excited about the opportunities for the city to see us move right along,” Wilson said after shaking hands with Wood, his 66-year-old opponent. “I’m sure Lehman’s got a lot to offer, and we’ll look at some opportunities and some committees he can serve on to help Gray.

“I think anybody that wants to be the mayor and takes an interest in the community as much as he has, win or lose, there’s a place for them.”

Briley, the outgoing mayor who opted not to seek a fourth term, was happy to pass the mayoral torch.

“I think the city did a great job in selecting two of the candidates that were chosen tonight. And Gus was certainly at the top of my list,” Briley said. “He’s gonna do a fine job.”

Briley joked, “He told me that he might make me dogcatcher or something like that. I’m certain that it’s actually a better job than mayor.”