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Election Day 2009

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Supervisor Charles Wagner stopped Rocky Mount Town Councilman John Lester's attempt to return to county government Tuesday.

Wagner won re-election to the Rocky Mount seat on the board of supervisors with 63 percent of the vote.

Wagner has been on the board since 1998, when he defeated incumbent Gus Forry. This year he served as the board's chairman.

The county's financial health will remain a priority, Wagner said, as he continues to hear from residents who want the board to provide services without implementing a tax increase.

"We're going to keep on doing what we've been doing," he said Tuesday evening. "Looks like it's working."

While campaigning, Lester said he wanted to focus on economic development in the county, bringing jobs to the area.

Lester said he will continue to make economic development his focus during his current term on town council, which expires next year. While he's leaning toward running for town council again, he said he's not sure yet.

"We'll have to see," he said. "Anytime I think I can make somewhere a better place, I'll do it."

Lester served as the assistant Franklin County administrator from 1985 until August 1991, when he became county administrator. He held that job for a little more than a year before resigning.

One new face will be joining the board of supervisors next year.

Ronald Thompson of Hardy will begin his first term in January, replacing Boone District Supervisor David Hurt, who announced in March he would not run again because of increasing family and work obligations.

Snow Creek Supervisor Leland Mitchell, who like Thompson ran unopposed, will also return for a second term.