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Stegall Unseats Incumbent in Abingdon Mayoral Race
A man who's often been critical of Abingdon's current leaders now gets the chance to be in charge.

Abingdon native Roger Stegall won his bid to become the city's mayor by easily unseating incumbent Steve Darmer. Stegall received 403 votes - or 44 percent - compared to Darmer's 22 percent of the vote. Long-time educator Don Smith finished 98 votes behind Stegall with 33.5 percent of the total.

Stegall told WGIL when he announced his intention to run that a key issue, economic development, was often discussed at city council meetings but little concrete was being done about it.

"Back when I was growing up here, Abingdon was a booming town, a lot of things happening. I've not seen much happening since I've been back. I think we are in a downward spiral as far as the city is concerned and I would like to do everything I can do to try to stop that."

Stegall returned to Abingdon in 2002 after working for 30 years as a manager at a plant in Alabama. He spent 25 years of that time as a general foreman of skilled trades, and says he has the skills to be a good city leader.

Stegall has been critical of the city's plan to buy and tear down dilapidated buildings in the 100 block of South Main Street. The city has been informed that it's the recipient of a grant to cover the entire cost of razing eight buildings.

The Western Illinois Regional Council will make a formal announcement prior to the April 20th city council meeting.
04 07 09 by Newsroom
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