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Photograph by Andrew Jenner
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Presgraves Wins Luray Mayor’s Race
Councilman Earns 60 Percent Of Vote In Two-Way Contest
By Andrew Jenner
Luray -Councilman Barry Presgraves emerged the winner in a two-way race for mayor on Tuesday by a 20-percent margin.
Unofficial results announced Tuesday night showed Presgraves earning 566 votes, or 60 percent of those cast. His opponent, Councilwoman Nancy Lee Shifflett received 368 votes, or 39 percent.
“I’m excited, and I’m very humbled, and it’s a tough act to follow” said Presgraves on Tuesday evening, referring to current Mayor Ralph Dean, retiring later this year after 28 years in office.
Presgraves, a retired upper-level manager for ARAMARK, was first elected to the town council in 2004. In that race four years ago, he was the top vote-getter in a six-way contest for three council seats. He will officially take office on July 1.
On Tuesday night, he said he had felt optimistic during a day spent outside the polls at the courthouse and reiterated his campaign goal of fiscal responsibility when using town tax dollars.
Shifflett, who said she ran to provide town voters with a choice, was pleased with the turnout and looked ahead to the future on Tuesday evening.
“We want to keep our momentum going, and with our new council, I’m sure we will,” she said.
Shifflett has two years remaining on her current council term. Those will be her last, however, as she said on Tuesday that she does not plan to run again for mayor or seek re-election at the end of her council term. ...
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