Newcomer ousts longtime Tuskegee mayor

Omar Neal will be the new mayor of Tuskegee.

Neal was victorious in Tues­day's runoff over the city's long­time Mayor Johnny Ford.

Neal received 1,462 votes to Ford's 1,270 in a race that re­ceived a higher turnout than the general election.

In the general election in Au­gust, 2,077 votes were cast. In Tuesday's runoff, 2,733 votes were cast. Neal garnered 12 more votes than Ford in August.

Neal, an area businessman and radio personality, cam­paigned on the need for a change in office. He repeatedly pointed out he was just a child when Ford was first elected to office.

Ford was elected as the city's first African-American mayor in 1972 and was looking for his eighth term in office. He did not serve from 1998-2004.

Campaigning had heated up leading to Tuesday's runoff with Ford releasing ads implying that Neal was influenced by a special interest group, the Poarch Creek Indians.

The Poarch Creek Indians contributed to a PAC in 2007 that Neal's campaign received $2,000 from. Neal said the group was just one of many contribu­tors to the PAC.

Ford ads also drew attention to Neal's short time as a Macon County commissioner. Neal served one term from 1996-2000 before being voted out.

Neal responded by pointing out that Ford had been voted out of his office before as well.

In another race in Tuskegee, incumbent Lutalo K. "Coach Lu" Aryee remained in office as the District 1 City Councilman by defeating G. Dyann Robin­son.

Aryee received 364 votes to Robinson's 268.