[9/24/03]The outgoing Sharkey County Board of Supervisors president is now the incoming mayor of Rolling Fork.

Eldridge J. “Butch” Walker, co-owner of a funeral home, on Tuesday won 52.3 percent of the votes in a runoff with Billy G. Johnson, a businessman and retired director of public works for the Sharkey County town.

The race was decided by 48 votes, with Walker polling 536. He said he was happy with the number who cast ballots in the South Delta town.

“I felt it was going to be a close race,” Walker said. “I knew it was incumbent for us to get out and get more people to the polls.”

The runoff was held after none of the six candidates in the special election Sept. 16 received at least 50 percent of the vote. The election was needed because Gary Henderson, former mayor, resigned in July after moving to a different county.

Walker campaigned on attracting new industries, enhancing recreation and economic growth, and promoting a spirit of inclusiveness in city government.

During Johnson’s campaign, he promoted tourism throughout the city, attracting jobs and revitalizing downtown. He could not be reached.

Walker said he was tired after encouraging people to go to the polls all day. He woke at 5 a.m. and didn’t slow down any, but after the results were in, he was ready for bed.

“I’m going home, going to take a shower, say my prayers and going to sleep,” he said.

Walker said he will be sworn into office Oct. 7. He will finish out the remainder of Henderson’s term as mayor, which ends in 2005. He will be paid $15,080 annually. Sharkey County supervisors are paid $24,137.

Walker was defeated in the August Democratic primary by Sam Mathews in his bid for re-election as District 3 supervisor. Mathews, a former supervisor, will take office Jan. 1, when supervisors elect a new board president.

Before he takes office, Walker will resign from his post on the Sharkey County Board of Supervisors, he said. His last meeting as a supervisor will be the day before he officially becomes mayor, he said.

Walker said the first thing he’s going to do when he takes office is meet with the city clerk and the board of aldermen to find out key issues happening with city government.

“I’m humbled the people of Rolling Fork have chosen me as their mayor,” Walker said.