From the Times Daily
By Tom Smith

LAWRENCEBURG, Tenn. — On Tuesday, residents will elect a new mayor and two city commissioners and decide whether to allow liquor to be sold inside the city.

June Davis, director of the Lawrence County Election Office, said more than 1,000 people voted during the early voting period that ended April 26.

“I didn’t know what to expect with the turnout (for early voting),” Davis said. “I really expected the liquor issue to bring people out, and we had a pretty good turnout.”

She said there are more than 7,200 registered voters in Lawrenceburg.

City officials say the liquor issue has stirred a lot of talk. Tommy Appleton, a supporter of the referendum, said getting the issue in front of the voters was all that organizers wanted.

“This is a chance to allow everyone to exercise their constitutional right and that’s to vote,” Appleton said. “This is not a liquor issue, this is an economic issue and a chance to stop our money from going to surrounding cities, counties and states.”

Voters also will elect a new mayor and two new city commissioners.

Lawrenceburg Mayor Alan Chapman chose not to seek another term.

Former Mayor Blake Lay, who lost to Chapman four years ago, is vying for the position and is opposed by city commissioner Keith Durham.

Eight people are seeking the city’s two commission seats. The new commissioners will fill the vacancy left by Durham’s effort to run for mayor as well as a seat left by Tim Dickey, who is not seeking re-election.

Running for the Seat 1 position are Tharon Chandler, Jerry Moore, C.E. “Butch” Watson and Karen Woodall.

William “Bid” Lindsey, Rollie Price, Bobby R. Thompson and Robin N. Williams are vying for the Seat 2 position.