DAPHNE — Incumbent Bailey Yelding and challenger Derek Boulware will face off in a mayoral runoff election on Oct. 9. On Aug. 28 Daphne citizens took to the polls to elect members to the city council and mayor’s office.

Neither candidate won 50 percent of the vote, leaving Yelding and Boulware to wait six weeks for the runoff election.

Yelding, an 11-year council member, won 1,236 votes, or 32 percent. Yelding was appointed to mayor by the council after Fred Small abruptly resigned last year. Boulware, a one-term council member, won 1,713 votes, or 45 percent of the balloting. According to published reports, Boulware outspent his opponents, raising more than all the other candidates combined.

For the upcoming runoff election, The Courier asked each candidate a few questions about their campaigns and their plans for the city.

“If elected, what do you hope to accomplish over the next four years?”

Boulware — “As Mayor I will focus my energies on improving our city’s streets, sidewalks, parks and public safety, all the while maintaining a fiscally conservative policy of balanced budgets and competitive bidding practices. My administration will also branch out, taking on a much greater role as advocated and ambassador for the city of Daphne. With the announcement of Airbus coming to Mobile, along with the possibility of new jobs and industry development at the Mega Site in north Baldwin County, I see opportunities for Daphne to enhance our wonderful quality of life while maintaining the hometown feel of this city we love.”

Yelding — “I would strive to benefit greatly from Airbus and Austal in the job market. Continue to improve the infrastructure, to provide the best police and fire protection possible. To continue to focus on keeping our schools at an extremely high level of performance. To strive for Blue Ribbon recognition on all levels. To provide trash recycling and debris pick up at maximum. To continue to beautify our city to attract visitors, residents and businesses.”

“What is the biggest issue facing Daphne?”

Boulware — “The biggest issue facing Daphne is the need for solid conservative leadership. Leadership that understands our citizens work hard to provide for their families and the taxes they pay should be spent wisely with their best interest in mind. Our future is bright but only if we manage our assets and do not live outside of our means.”

Yelding — “The biggest issue in Daphne in the future is to control and manage the inevitable growth. Planning is everything. We must work together council and mayor, community and city hall to address it.”

“With the primary election held Aug. 28, is the six-week layoff a help or a hindrance?”

Boulware — “I’ve spent the weeks following this last election meeting daily with our citizens, talking with them about their concerns for our city and our plans for the future of Daphne. Our campaign has taken nothing for granted. In fact we have doubled our efforts in order to reach as many of our citizens as possible and the response has been great.”

Yelding — “The extended time between the primary and the runoff in my opinion is a hindrance, simply because it creates more work and more expense. However it is part of the process so you must deal with it.”

The polls will open next Tuesday at 7 a.m.

The Daphne polling locations are:

District 1 - Old Boys and Girls Club renamed the Ruff Wilson Youth Organization, Inc. – 1317 Johnson Road

District 2 - Nicholson Center - 1410 Captain O’Neal Drive

District 3 - Fire Station #2 - 28280 North Main Street

District 4 - Daphne Civic Center, 2603 US Highway 98

District 5 - Daphne Civic Center, 2603 US Highway 98

District 6 - Daphne High School Trojan Hall – 9078 L awson Road

District 7 - Daphne High School Trojan Hall – 9078 Lawson Road