01:08 AM CDT on Sunday, May 14, 2006

By Lowell Brown  / Staff Writer

Denton voters chose the status quo over a major shakeup of city leadership in Saturday’s election, as council members Bob Montgomery and Joe Mulroy overcame challenges from political outsiders to secure re-election.

Bob Montgomery

In the mayoral race, council member Perry McNeill defeated entrepreneur Justin Bell and businessman Bob Clifton, meaning the face of the council likely will remain largely the same for the next two years.

But despite winning re-election and support from many voters, the current council members have “also managed to make a helluva lot of voters mad,” said Montgomery, who believes the results show a “serious divide” among residents. “We’ve got to find out why and address that.”

Place 5 incumbent Montgomery faced a challenge from retired university professor John Paul Eddy, while Place 6 council member Mulroy saw opposition from former city of Denton webmaster Shelley Shay. Both are at-large seats.

Montgomery and Mulroy received 53 percent and 56 percent of the vote, respectively.

Challengers had hoped that some voters’ anger over the city’s proposed new property maintenance rules and other issues would spell trouble for the incumbents. Eddy and Shay both voiced concerns over the proposed international property maintenance code, which drew scores of skeptical residents to recent public hearings and fierce opposition from some property owners and real estate agents.

Eddy and Shay also had received the backing of the Denton Police Officers Association, which was upset with the current council over pay and other issues. The Denton Firefighters Association had earlier endorsed the incumbents’ bids for re-election.

In the end, voters stuck with the current leadership.

“In general, there’s a group of folks in town that if you have negative issues, you can turn out about 1,400 people against the positive people,” Mulroy said. “I’m pleased that the public has validated the present mayor’s outlook on the betterment of Denton, and I’m pleased that the public has been willing to extend their investment of public trust in the incumbents, and I’m honored and privileged to serve.”

Montgomery, 70, a retired business owner, has said he sought a third term to continue keeping a balance between supporting development and protecting the environment and existing neighborhoods. He also supported the creation of a three-year annexation plan.

Joe Mulroy

Eddy, 74, a retired professor, had advocated his “seven-seven plan,” which would bring seven major constituent groups together annually to discuss seven issues, including taxes, fees, rebates, utility rates, annexation/development, ordinances and services.

Eddy said Saturday he wished Montgomery well and appreciated his service, but added that incumbents have a natural advantage over challengers.

“A lot of people will vote for the person who’s been in office regardless of how the conditions are,” he said. “I think being an incumbent is a tremendous advantage.”

Eddy, who did not rule out a future run for office, said he considered the election a “moral victory” because he inspired discussion of serious issues.

Mulroy, 56, a local business owner seeking his second term on the council, has said his primary focus is “financial transparency” in city government, saying the council hasn’t always had complete and understandable financial information in the past.

Shay, 38, works as a computer technician in Plano. She was Denton’s city webmaster from 1998 to 2005 but lost her job in a staff reduction that included more than 50 other city employees.

Shay had criticized the council over development issues, annexations and utility rates. She released a statement Saturday night thanking supporters.

“Despite the outcome, it is evident there is a strong sentiment for change in this community,” Shay said. “I would encourage those who feel defeated to get involved with the process and do not give up.”

The council will have one new face. McNeill is resigning his District 4 seat to succeed Euline Brock as Denton mayor. Retired tire shop owner and oilman Guy McElroy, 67, the only person who ran to complete the final year of McNeill’s term, will be sworn in May 23 with all the winners.

LOWELL BROWN can be reached at 940-566-6882. His e-mail address is lmbrown@dentonrc.com .

DENTON CITY ELECTION RESULTS

The following chart shows Denton City Council
election results. (I) denotes incumbent;
* denotes winner

District 4 (unexpired term)

Guy McElroy, 67, retired      747          100%

At-large District 5

John Paul Eddy     1,587   47.3%

Bob Montgomery* (I) 1,770 52.7%

At-large District 6

Joe Mulroy* (I)    1,798   55.8%

Shelley Shay         1,427   44.2%