Twin City election results upheld
By JACQUIE BRASHER

In Emanuel County Court on Monday, Dec. 3, Senior Judge William M. Towson Sr. of the Dublin Judicial Circuit upheld the results of the Twin City municipal election held Nov. 6. The election was being contested by George Coleman, candidate for the mayoral position. Also present at the proceedings were Jeb Cameron, director of Elections; County Attorney Franklin Edenfield; and Jerry Cadle, attorney for the city of Twin City.

Coleman, who was not represented by legal counsel, asked Judge Towson for a continuance. He told Judge Towson that he was "in the process" of obtaining an attorney and had not had the time to actually obtain one. Edenfield objected to the request for a continuance and cited "constraints on time" and that there were "no good grounds for a continuance." Edenfield added, "The people of Twin City need to know who their elected official is on Jan. 1, (2008)." Judge Towson denied the request for a continuance and also informed Coleman that had been sufficient time to obtain an attorney prior to the proceedings. (Coleman had filed his complaint on Nov. 13.)

In his opening statement, Coleman detailed the basis for his complaint against the election held in Twin City. He cited possible problems with the counting of provisional ballots, possible tampering of the voting machines (not being set at zero), inconclusive tabulation and possible conflict of interest with the lead poll worker, Clark Dixon. He requested a recount of the votes and wanted an outside group to handle the process.

Elections Director Cameron took the stand and was questioned by both Edenfield and Coleman. Cameron told the court that he had explained the election process to Coleman on several occasions and that the results of the provisional ballots would not change the outcome of the election. He also said that all voting machines are subjected to a Logic and Accuracy test and subsequently verified by poll workers at the time of the election. He said a printout of the tape before the election indicates the machines were set at zero. Coleman asked if Cameron was "the only individual" who set the machines. Cameron said that he was the only one who performs the Logic and Accuracy test, but that the results are verified by poll workers.

Judge Towson called a recess to study all evidence presented in the case. When he returned, he announced that the court had found the mayoral election held on Nov. 6 was held lawfully and that Jimmy Greenway was duly elected mayor of Twin City. (Greenway had garnered 198 votes to Coleman's 106.) Judge Towson also ordered Coleman to pay court and attorney fees. Coleman objected to the attorney fees, which were then dismissed. However, he must pay court costs, which include costs for an out-of-town judge and out-of-town court reporter, and filing fees.

Coleman has about a week to appeal this decision to the Supreme Court of Georgia

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