Gail Wilking reelected mayor of Ball

Gail Wilking was reelected mayor Tuesday night with over 70% of the vote over challenger Terry G. Coody.

"Seventy percent of the people approve of what this administration has done," Wilking said after the election. "The people have shown confidence in our administration."

Wilking received 892 votes to Coody's 388, complete but unofficial results show. About 52% of the town's 2,455 voters cast ballots.

The albatross that has been over Ball has been lifted, Wilking said, referring to the town's near 20-year dispute with FEMA. She made it one of the top things that she wanted to alleviate.

In September, the Town of Ball agreed to repay FEMA $163,103 out of $268,669 that was paid out in fraudulent claims related to Hurricane Rita in 2005 and Hurricane Gustav in 2008. The issue, created by a previous Ball administration, prevented the town from getting FEMA funding when a tornado hit in 2019 and again in 2020 during hurricanes Laura and Delta.

"Nothing is holding us back," she said. "Our future is very, very bright."

Election Results: See full results from the Nov. 8 primary election in Louisiana here

Previous coverage:Ball Mayor Wilking, challenger Coody cite drainage as issue facing town

A new children's playground is set to open at the end of November, Wilking said. At the first of the year, work will begin on new sewer and drainage projects.

Wilking served as an alderwoman for two terms before being elected mayor in 2019. She was two years into her second term as alderwoman when she ran for mayor. He new four-year term as mayor will begin Jan. 1.

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Voters reelect Gail Wilking mayor of Ball