This week marks another beginning for local government in the cities of Tallapoosa and Buchanan, where newly-elected council members have been granted the chance to introduce and implement plans that will enhance the quality of life in their communities following their wins in the municipal elections that concluded Tuesday night.

Tallapoosa Election Superintendent Gina Griffith confirmed Dan Pope was victorious in his race for the city council Post 1 seat, which Connie Gentry will soon vacate. Pope collected 159 votes, while his opponent, Ann Crim, brought in 106 votes. Pope, a retired Haralson County High School teacher, said he is ready to revisit his role in city politics. He previously served on the Tallapoosa City Council from 2001 to 2005.

“I’m pleased with the results and would thank everyone that came out to support me. I served on the city council about four years ago, so I’m looking forward to doing it again,” Pope said.

One of his goals during his term is to help stabilize local businesses and usher new businesses into the city in an effort to provide more job opportunities to graduates.

Tallapoosa Mayor Pete Bridges’ four-year term would have also been up for grabs; however, no one ran as opposition. Bridges will therefore serve another four-year term

Meanwhile, Griffith noted a “small turnout” regarding voter participation this year. She said 266 people voted in the recent election, which is low considering there are 1,781 registered voters in the city of Tallapoosa.

Just a few miles away, less than 50 percent of registered voters in Buchanan cast their votes for the at-large seats on the council, according to Assistant City Clerk Betty Harvell. She confirmed that Kenneth Hughes and McKinley Pate beat out opponents David Dixon and Robert Farmer for the positions, which will soon be vacated by Debbie Johnson and Donna Johnson.

Pate led the race with 74 votes and Hughes bottled 54 votes. Meanwhile, Farmer came in with 42 votes, and Dixon trailed the race with 39 votes.

Hughes, an account manager at Atlanta Beverage Company and former member of the U.S. Army, cited a goal to establish businesses and overall economic growth in Buchanan during his campaign for the council position, which he expressed gratitude for winning.

“I thank everyone for supporting me, and I’m excited about getting started in this vital role to help make a difference in the lives of our local citizens,” he said.

His new counterpart, Pate, echoed similar sentiments after hearing the election results.

“I’m excited about the turnout, and I’m just glad that many people came out, whether they voted for me or not, to let their voice be heard, and I look forward to serving on the city council,” Pate said.

Pate, who serves as a police officer for the city of Tallapoosa, intends to carry out one of his key goals of improving Buchanan’s antiquated water and sewer system, as part of an effort to provide adequate resources he believes citizens deserve as taxpayers.

In addition, the controversial liquor referendum narrowly passed with 67 votes of approval, while 62 denied acceptance of the referendum. The new ordinance will go in affect Friday, Jan. 1, which permits the sell of liquor by the drink at authorized businesses in Buchanan, trumping the current alcohol ordinance that only permits the sell of beer and wine by the drink at authorized restaurants in the city.

In the Bremen City Council elections, Bill Hightower and Kyle Shepard won the seats left open by Chris Coats and Steve McIntosh. Hightower pulled a victory from John Turner, and Shepard won the vote against his opponents: Beverly Cash and Kay Snuggs.

Approximately 300 voters came out to vote in Bremen on Tuesday.

The newly-elected council members will assume their posts in January.