Barber gains re-election to office
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

For a time on Saturday, David Barber believed his political career might be complete.

When the early votes were posted Saturday evening, Barber trailed former Jasper Mayor R.C. Horn 266-238. Traditionally, early voting is considered a good indication of how a race may close out.

"That was the first time I had ever been behind on the early vote and a lot of times the final results mimic the early voting," Barber said. "But I was very pleased when the final votes were released."

When the final numbers were posted at 8:45 p.m. Saturday, Barber had rallied for an unofficial 402-376 victory over Horn.

"I wasn't going to be upset either way if I didn't win," Barber said. "If the majority of the people wanted to replace me that was going to be fine. You can elect them and keep them in office or you can kick them out of office."

Horn believed he might have the inside track to the office after the early voting showed him ahead.

"I felt that by being ahead after early voting I might win but things will happen," Horn said. "But the voters got out and voted and they voted in his favor.

"I congratulated him after the election and wished him more speed," Horn said. "I live here too and I only want the best for Jasper."

Two years ago, Barber defeated Horn by 29 votes and this year he defeated Horn by 32 votes.

Barber believes his re-election to the mayor's office signals a form of a mandate from the public that they are pleased with the running of city hall.

"Obviously, I didn't make more people mad at me than they were last time," Barber said.

Term limits will end Barber's reign as Jasper mayor after this term and he said he has no plans to continue on the political forefront for Jasper.

"This will make 10 years in city office and that's long enough," Barber said. "What will help this city is having fresh blood and fresh ideas. Everybody has a tendency to get set in their ways and just thinking in one direction and I think term limits are a good idea.

"I have no plans to run for my council position again," Barber said. "I have had 10 years of service and its time for someone else to step in and take up where I left off and take it a different direction."

Barber said serving the city has cost him some valuable time with his family and he is looking forward to getting back after this term is complete.

"I have missed some things that I wished I hadn't missed," Barber said. "Two more years would be enough and then I will step aside and let someone else take over."

He said he's not completely closing the book on politics.

"I won't say I won't ever get back in again but it's not in my mind right now," Barber said. "Once I finish this term, I want to concentrate on my family and my business again."

Horn, too, will not close the book firmly on whether he will seek office again in the future.

"I won't say no and I won't say yes at this time," Horn said. "The citizens of Jasper have denied me twice so I will just continue going where I am going."