Last Updated on 5/30/2012

Published on 1/16/2012

It’s back to the polls Tuesday for residents of Andrews to finally fill the town council seat that was vacated in 2011 by Michael Shaw.
During a write-in election Jan. 3, David Tisdale and Denise Davis received the most votes but neither received enough to be declared the winner. They will face off on Tuesday’s ballot.
Anyone who is a resident of Andrews and is a registered voter can cast a ballot Tuesday, even if they did not vote Jan. 3
Tisdale, 72, was born in England but his family moved to Andrews when he was 12 years old.
Tisdale, a Citadel graduate, spent 26 years in the Army before moving to Hemingway where he spent 15 years operating a flooring and gift shop business.
When he married Allison Dilliard 11 years ago, he moved back to Andrews and began volunteering for Meals on Wheels which he said he does because he “enjoys talking to people.”
He was on the ballot for another town council seat in November and received only one more vote than his opponent, so a runoff was required. He lost during the runoff in December.
Tisdale said he is running for council for several reasons.
“We all share the same interests. We need to make our town more attractive to tourists and businesses alike. Right now, we have to leave town to make many of our purchases.”
Tisdale said one of the most important things that needs to be done quickly is to “restore people’s confidence in government and show it is working for them.”
Tisdale — an elder at Andrews Presbyterian Church — said he has heard complaints about the police department’s response time.
“I will look at every aspect of how the town is run and will recommend changes for the better,” Tisdale said. “Andrews is a diverse town. We need diversity on council.”
Davis is a self-employed tax preparer and the mother of five adult children — all in their 30s.
Davis — a member of Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church — has lived in Andrews most of her life.
She said she feels the way Andrews will be improved is through the creation of jobs. That is something she said she will work towards if she is elected.
Davis also stresses the need to help the teenagers and children of the town.
“We need to do whatever we can to get young people more involved in things to motivate them,” Davis said. “We need more recreation.”
Davis said, as a member of council, she would search for grants that would help the town achieve some of these goals.
Like Tisdale, Davis said she has also heard concerns from citizens about the police department.
“I just don’t feel it is being run fairly,” Davis said but did not want to elaborate.
One of the main things, Davis said, is for council “to work together to find solutions for the problems in the town.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday. All voting takes place in the National Guard Armory.

By Scott Harper
sharper@gtowntimes.com