By By Sheila Blackmon/The Meridian Star
June 7, 2001
DEKALB In DeKalb, where mayors stay in office a long time, more than 80 percent of the registered voters turned out Tuesday to choose a new one.
Two men were vying to replace six-term Mayor F.D. Harbour, who decided not to seek re-election.
Homer Hall Jr. beat Joe VanDevender 323-200. Both ran as Independents. Hall said his first goal when he takes office in July will be to give his hometown a "facelift."
Hall said he will work with economic developers to get the town ready for a $200 million Tennessee Valley Authority power plant being built in Kemper County. He and the aldermen will also be hiring a new police chief.
He said he had a chance to talk Tuesday night with the town's two new aldermen, James Craig and Hershel Barefield.
Hall grew up in DeKalb. He and his wife, Betty Lynn, live in DeKalb with their two children, Hunter, 7, and Haley, 3. Hall is the service manager at Southern Chevrolet.
He is a member of the DeKalb United Methodist Church and serves on the Cluster Committee for all the Methodist churches in the county.
Hall said he ran for office because he feels the town needs some improvement and industry.
Hall thought he had a good chance during the campaign.
Sheila Blackmon is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call her at 693-1551, ext. 3275, or e-mail her at sblackmon@themeridianstar.com.