Cameron voters pass liquor option, Milano voters re-elect mayor who resigned

According to unofficial results released by the City of Cameron, the local option liquor election passed by a large margin. Only 263 votes were cast in early and election day voting - with 218 votes or 82.89 percent in favor of allowing the sale of mixed drinks in the city limits and 45 votes (17.11 percent) against. The measure was supported by the Cameron Chamber of Commerce, which took the lead in collecting signatures and filing a petition with the city council to get the measure on the ballot in today's special election.

Milano voters appear to have re-elected the mayor who resigned almost a month ago, according to unofficial results of Saturday’s election.

Former Mayor Billy Barnett announced his resignation April 11 and said he was withdrawing from the May 7 city election. However, the ballot for the Milano City election had already been printed with his name included and the deadline for removing a candidate from the ballot had already passed. The city council voted to appoint Mayor Pro tem Carol Newman to serve as mayor until the election.

Barnett, who had served as mayor for more than 20 years, was opposed in Saturday’s election by council member Roddy Gage. According to the Secretary of State Elections Division, even though he resigned his current term, if Barnett doesn’t want to serve the new term, he must officially decline to take office. At that point, the position would be declared vacant and the city council can appoint someone to serve until the next election or call a special election.