Globe voters have elected a new mayor and two council members by a margin of 2 to 1. This was one of the most controversial elections in years and many people predicted it would be very close. But public opposition to a private prison and photo radar seemed to dominate the election.
Unofficial results show that current mayor Fernando Shipley received a little more than 28% of the votes. Terry Wheeler received nearly 65%. The third candidate, James Gillette, had 6.67%.of the total votes.
Mike Humphrey defeated Thea Wilshire in District 2 with nearly 67% of the votes.
Eric Mariscal came out ahead of Carmen Casillas with a little more than 68% of the votes.
James Haley ran unopposed in District 1.
Voter participation was just under 46%.
Shipley and the two defeated council members had the support of several local businesses, the Southern Gila County Economic Development Corporation, and two Gila County Supervisors. They began to exert their influence two councils ago by firing the City Manager and hiring a new one. They approved Redlex photo radar in 2009 and the cameras began operation last April.
The proposal for a private prison in Globe prompted most of the city’s registered voters to sign a petition last year seeking voter approval before any private prison could be built within the City Limits.
Somewhat less controversial was the privatization of Globe’s trash collection, but that move was not universally popular either.
The new council takes office in July. Mayor-elect Terry Wheeler has promised to get rid of the Redflex cameras. He also opposed the private prison proposal as a member of the Globe City Council
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