Published: Wednesday, Nov. 04, 2009 / Updated: Wednesday, Nov. 04, 2009 08:43 AM

Sheppard unseats Runde for Tega Cay mayor

Hersey, Perkins win council seats

TEGA CAY -- After a heated, sometimes contentious race, Mayor Bob Runde was defeated by mayor pro tem George Sheppard in Tuesday's election.

According to unofficial results from the York County elections office, Sheppard captured about 60 percent of the votes.

“The citizens made their decision for a change,” Runde said after conceding to Sheppard just after 8 p.m. “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.

“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.”

His first order of business is the city's budget.

“We've got a new set of eyes looking at the budget,” he said.

Runde, first elected in 2002, is already talking about his future plans.

“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 two-term mayor to fade away.

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

Under Runde's leadership, the administration improved communication with residents by televising all City Council meetings. The Tega Cay Police Department was outfitted in a new building. Several parks were added to the city, and improvements were made to Runde and Turner fields.

One of the biggest developments under Runde's watch was Stonecrest, anchored by Wal-Mart, which added retail development to the bedroom community.

“It's been a busy seven years," Runde previously told the Fort Mill Times.

City council race

In the race for Tega Cay City Council, voters selected a former councilman and a newcomer for the two at-large seats.

Newcomer Dottie Hersey captured the most votes to secure one of the seats.

“I'm very excited and very humbled,” said Hersey, 51. “So many people in the community took a chance with me. I will work hard to honor their vote.”

The attorney, who formerly managed a $30 billion federal budget for 20 years with the federal government, has one main goal: Fiscal responsibility.

“As soon as I take the oath of office, my first action will be to scrub the budget,” she said. “We need to build a reserve and reduce expenses.”

Taking the other seat was Stephen Perkins, 45, a former three-year Tega Cay Council member.

“I'm relieved to have the campaign over and excited to be getting back on council and going to work on the city issues,” he said.

The insurance vice president is making a comeback at a time when city leaders most recently faced budget crunches. At issue is a lean contingency that boasts no reserves, spending for projects when money isn't available and beefing up public safety entities like fire and police departments.

“I want to look for ways to cut spending and divert monies into the reserve,” Perkins said.

Council member John Dervay, 65, who was up for re-election, was unseated after coming in nine votes behind Perkins.

A special election will be held to fill Sheppard's spot on council.

Unofficial results

Tega Cay mayor

Bob Runde (i) — 766

George Sheppard — 1,168

Dottie Hersey — 845

Stephen Perkins — 712

John Dervay (i) — 703

Thomas J. Fitzpatrick — 619

Katie Shive — 458

Keen McHugh — 112

(i) denotes incumbent