Tega Cay Mayor Runde concedes to Sheppard

By Toya Graham - Fort Mill Times

TEGA CAY -- In what became a contentious race to the mayor�s seat, a new captain is at the helm in Tega Cay.

Mayor Bob Runde conceded his post to Mayor Pro tem George Sheppard shortly before 8 p.m. tonight. According to unofficial results from the York County elections office, Sheppard captured 1,168 votes to Runde's 766.

�George has won,� Runde said. �The citizens made their decision for a change and I�m hoping that the new administration will continue to improve Tega Cay.

"We knew it was going to be a tough race.�

Meanwhile, Sheppard celebrated his victory.

�I am extremely overwhelmed at the confidence of the people of Tega Cay have placed in me,� said Sheppard, a council member of 22 months.

�It�s an extreme honor, I am humbled by the fact that they put their trust in me. I am bubbling over,� he added. �My first item on the agenda is to go back to the budget. We�ve got a new set of eyes looking at the budget.�

Runde, first elected in 2002, said he has serious plans when he leaves the mayor's office at the end of the year.

"I'm going to have fun," he said. "That means we're going to Vegas, we'll travel, spend time with the family and play croquet."

But don't look for the Tree City's two-term mayor to fade away.

"I will be active in the community, but it won't be in politics," he said.

City Council

In the race for Tega Cay city council, newcomer Dottie Hersey captured the most votes with 845 nods. She'll be joined on council by former councilman Stephen Perkins, who came in second with 712 votes, according to unofficial elections results.

Six people vied for two seats on council. City councilman John Dervay was unseated, coming in third with 703 votes.