Coldwell wins Troy mayor; Carr and Rowse claim seats
Out with the old and in with the new was the theme in Troy’s elections as challenger Darren Coldwell handily defeated incumbent Tony Brown and two challengers were elected to City Council.
Coldwell claimed the mayoral election 225-98. The owner of the popular Booze N’ Bait store, Coldwell is the son of former long-time Troy Elementary School principal Bobby K. Coldwell. The mayor-elect praised his predecessor minutes after learning of his election.
“I want to say what a great job Tony did getting Troy back together,” Coldwell said. “I look forward to sitting down with him and working together.”
In the City Council race, challengers Dallas Carr and Kimberly Rowse were elected with 205 and 148 votes, respectively. Incumbent Phillip Fisher earned 129 votes, and challenger Donna Lee Rugani earned 107. Current City Council member Fran McCully did not run for reelection.
The election of a new mayor and two new council members completes a transformation of leadership that began when council members Joe Arts and Crystal Denton began their terms in January 2012.
In June 2012, Mayor Donald Banning was recalled following allegations of attempting to fire City Attorney Charles Evans, cashing a check for travel expenses and approving construction of a picnic area without consulting with or getting approval from City Council.
Brown, Troy’s mayor from 1974-1979, filled the vacant seat left by Banning.
“I am happy for Darren and am sure he will do a great job,” Brown said. “I plan to enjoy some more free time outdoors. We will sit down and talk policy. There is a lot to learn.”
Rowse is a retired registered nurse who now owns and operates Hotel Montana.
A retired logger and miner who now coaches high school football and fast-pitch softball, Carr won on a simple campaign based on a willingness to compromise and listen to city’s wishes.
“I’m ready to get people back to getting along,” Carr said after learning from a reporter of his election.
“If the people elected me, I said I’d be ready to serve. I just wasn’t too caught up in it. I was just watching a concert on TV.”