Voters in PB elect Holcomb alderman, Gustek treasurer

— The Holcomb legacy on the Pine Bluff City Council will continue.

Lloyd A Holcomb Jr., 36, defeated Jefferson County Justice of the Peace Alfred Carroll in Tuesday’s runoff election for Ward 1 alderman by 241 votes.

Holcomb will replace his mother, Irene Holcomb, who has served in the Ward 1 position for the past 23 years.

Complete but unofficial results were:

Holcomb. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 609 Carroll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 368

In the city’s other runoff election, Greg Gustek defeated Janice Roberts for the city treasurer’s position.

Complete but unofficial results were:

Gustek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,625 Roberts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,573

After results were announced Tuesday night at the Jefferson County Election Commission’s headquarters in downtown Pine Bluff, Holcomb said he will have some big shoes to fill when he takes his mother’s position on the council in January.

“I am honored and humbled,” he said. “It’s a big task, but one I am prepared for. I am ready to put on my own shoes and serve the people of the first ward. I am excited and ready to go.”

Holcomb, who has never held public office, said his mother has given him words of advice throughout his campaign, and he gave thanks for her Tuesday night.

“I am blessed,” he said. “I just want to thank God and my family.”

Holcomb is the pastor of the Barraque Street Missionary Baptist Church in Pine Bluff and is a licensed funeral director.

Carroll, 54, said he is afraid he let down his supporters with the loss.

“We wish we had been successful, but I guess the bigger disappointment is disappointing those who wished me well and supported me,” he said in a telephone interview after the runoff election.

“In some small way, I may have let those people down. But all of us who truly care about Pine Bluff can bring our skills together and do things that can help this city prosper and move forward. Change has come to Pine Bluff, whether we like it or not.”

Carroll’s position on the Jefferson County Quorum Court expires Dec. 31. He has served as a justice of the peace for 14 years.

Gustek and Roberts were not at the election commission office Tuesday night. Telephone numbers to reach them for comment could not be located.

Arkansas, Pages 15 on 11/28/2012

Upcoming Events