Callaway votes to keep Abbott mayor

CALLAWAY — With more than 100 votes over the mayoral seat contender, Callaway residents elected Thomas Abbott to lead the city into its future.

“It’s humbling that the citizens have asked me to continue to lead and I’ll certainly commit myself to doing that for the next two years,” Abott said. “And I’ll do my very best to bring the board together and let’s face the challenges we have ahead of us.”

Abbott received 589 votes to contender Janene Melvin’s 412 votes.

Abbott was elected commissioner of Ward 2 in 2006 and became mayor in 2012 following the death of former Mayor Robert Thompson. He’ll serve two years before the mayoral seat will reopen for a four-year term.

As Callaway mayor for the past two years, Abbott has made the city’s financial condition a focal point for determining the city’s future. Under his leadership, along with City Manager Marcus Collins and the City Commission, the city has paid off several large debts and property taxes have not increased.

“We have to focus on being fiscally sound, and we do that now,” he added. “We want to keep that and we’re excited about things that are down the road.”

Abbott served eight years on the board with Dennis DeLapp, who lost the Ward 1 seat Tuesday night to challenger Melba Covey.

“I’m disappointed, of course, but I congratulate Tom on his win,” said Melvin, who was running for public office for the first time. She added she is thankful to all supporters and voters who helped her campaign.

“I hope that the two new commissioners that have gone in will bring something better,” she said. “And I hope that the mayor will go with them, that maybe they can all get together and do a better job than the ones in the past had done.”