Stephanie Chapman-Washam defeated former mayor Gus Smith to be Brighton’s next mayor.
Incumbent mayor Sarah Crocker, who was the first woman to be mayor in Brighton, was appointed to the position in 2015 after Jeff Scott left office.
Chapman-Washam was appointed to the board of mayor and aldermen the same year and both women won their bids for re-election in 2016.
Smith served as mayor from 1993 to 2003.
The current vice mayor, Chapman-Washam pulled in 62.3 percent of the vote (732 votes) to Smith’s 37.3 (438).
She told The Leader last week one of her main accomplishments as a board member was helping secure grant money to alleviate drainage issues, something about which residents of seemingly every small town complain.
The grant does require matching funds from the town.
“I would hate to see that not followed through on,” Chapman-Washam said.
Sartain, three others win bids for alderman
Melissa Sartain, who has previously served on the board of mayor and aldermen, will soon return to public office as Brighton’s vice mayor. Sartain brought in 597 votes.
Incumbent Shane Greer (434) votes will return and will be joined by newcomers Sonny Foster (468) and David Boone (429).
Kristin Gardner, George Smith and David Grape were also on the ballot and brought in 391, 311 and 155 votes.
Foster, a former police officer, is the first Black alderman in Brighton’s history.
Author: Echo Day
Echo Day is an award-winning journalist, photographer and designer. She is currently The Leader's managing editor.
