Tax assessor races run close

KARI L. SANDS
The Valdosta Daily Times

VALDOSTA July 16, 2008 12:27 am

The Primary Election Tuesday included candidates for multiple Board of Assessors slots and each was a close race. Voters cast ballots for posts 1, 2, and 3.
With 33 of 34 precincts reporting, W.G. Walker took the victory over Mike Hill with 50.55 percent, or 3456 votes, to run against Ronald Miller on Nov. 4 for the Board of Assessors Post 3. Hill collected 3,381 votes accounting for 49.45 percent.
Doyle Kelly took victory over Allan Dear with 52.95 percent, or 3437 votes, to run against Steve Davis during the General Election for the Board of Assessors Post 2. David DeMersseman triumphed over John Johnson with 55.52 percent, or 789 votes, to run against Earl Wetherington Nov. 4 for the Board of Assessors Post 1.
“When I was in office from 1993-2000, I passed the test to become certified as an assessor. Elected assessors are exempted from being required to be certified. Of the 159 counties in Georgia, 158 appoint their assessors and Lowndes County is the only one who elects their assessors,” said DeMersseman. “It’s okay to be elected or appointed but if elected, you should have to have the same requirements if appointed.”
All results are unofficial until Friday when provisional and absentee ballots can be counted.

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