Landon Mathis defeats incumbent Jeff Bishop in Burns mayoral race

Landon Mathis unseated incumbent Jeff Bishop in the race for mayor of Burns Tuesday. Mathis won the two-year term with 260 unofficial votes to 220 for Bishop and 46 for Commissioner Lewis Orcutt. Vice Mayor Steven Hayes and Chris Holland were re-elected to two-year terms on the four-member board of commissioners along with former police chief and Mayor Ed “Shot” Grove and newcomer Bill Allen. Holland earned the most votes at 288, with Allen at 280, Hayes at 258 and Grove getting 256. Jim Anderson finished fifth with 233 votes, followed by Sammy Spann at 194 and incumbent Jerry Baker at 189. Mathis said he wants to make sure his administration is sensitive to the fact that a large portion of the population of Burns is senior citizens and the cost of government should not become a burden on them. The winners will take office at the Dec. 3 meeting.

Burns Mayor

Landon Mathis 260

Jeff Bishop         220

Lewis Orcutt     46

Burns Commission (4 seats)

Chris Holland      288

Bill Allen               280

Steven Hayes      258

Ed “Shot” Grove 256

Jim Anderson     233

Sammy Spann     194

Jerry Baker          189