[11/13/03]Port Gibson Mayor Amelda Arnold will be the Democratic nominee for the job in the Dec. 2 general election.

Affidavit ballots counted Wednesday, a day after party primary voting in the city, showed Arnold with 370 votes to Mac Drake’s 279 and Kenneth Ross’ 77.

“These aren’t the official numbers, but they are the final numbers we’re going to use,” said City Clerk Cathi Dodgen.

Had no candidate received a majority, a runoff between the top two vote-getters would have been required in two weeks.

Arnold said Tuesday night she would immediately begin campaigning for the general election.

“The next one is going to be tough,” she said. “I’m hoping to get the second term.”

Arnold faces former 17-year mayor James Beesley and Robert H. Tinsley, both businessmen, in the general election. Beesley and Tinsley are running as independents.

Also in Tuesday’s election, Port Gibson residents voted 402-310 to reject a proposition to amend the city’s charter. The amendment would have allowed runoff elections in general elections if no candidate received a majority of votes.

City residents will also vote for aldermen in the six wards in the Dec. 2 election.

All elected positions are for four-year terms. The mayor is paid $30,000 a year for the part-time position. Aldermen are each paid $7,200 annually.