Tega Cay voters at polls today to fill vacant City Council seat

By Toya Graham - Fort Mill Times

TEGA CAY -- A former city employee and a Realtor are facing off in a special Tega Cay election today to fill a City Council seat that was held by Mayor George Sheppard.

Contenders for the at-large seat are Douglas �Doug� Lee Collins and former councilman John Robert Dervay.

Although his name is not on the ballot because he did not file to run, resident Chris Landvik-Larsen has put up campaign signs recently and says he is encouraging voters to cast write-in ballots for him.

Political newcomer Collins, 59, is owner and broker in charge of EDI Real Estate in Tega Cay. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and served 38 years in the Navy before retiring as a captain. He is the father of five adult children.

Dervay, 65, an incumbent until this week, has a long history with the City of Tega Cay, where he formerly served as the city�s zoning administrator, code enforcement officer and secretary with the board of zoning appeals and planning commission.

When Dervay retired from the city in 2005, he sought and won a council seat in 2006. In November, he lost his seat by six votes to newly-elected council member Stephen Perkins.

Polls are open until 7 p.m. today. Check back after that to see results.