ROANOKE RAPIDS — The voters left little doubt to their preferences and state of mind Tuesday electing Emery Doughtie mayor by a three-to-one margin over incumbent Drewery Beale.

Roger Bell | The Daily Herald Roanoke Rapids Mayor-elect Emery Doughtie takes time out of his election night celebrations to pose for a picture. Pictured, left to right, newly-elected Board of Education Member Mary-Frances Allsbrook Fisher, the new mayor’s daughter Lauren, Emery and his wife, Yvonne. Advertisement

Riding a wave of an anti-incumbent sentiment in the city, Doughtie notched a remarkably easy victory with 2,297 votes compared to Beale’s 738.

“I’m glad the uncertainty is behind me,” Doughtie said after the results came in naming him the winner. “I’m humbled that many people put their trust in me to be their mayor.”

Beale was gracious in defeat, wishing all the best to the new mayor and members of Council. “I wish them the best of luck,” Beale said. “Let’s move forward and help make this city the city I know it can be.”

“Evidently the people were dissatisfied with our job performance,” Beale added. “I throw my full support to the people who did win. I’m disappointed, but we can’t always have everything we want in life.”

With the election win accomplished, Doughtie must now turn his attention to matters of city leadership. It’s a challenge he’s eager to face.

“Putting the negative things behind us and setting a positive tone for city government will be priority one,” Doughtie insists. “Priority two will be to start increasing revenues instead of simply cutting costs. Cutting costs is not a good long-term strategy.”

As Doughtie moves forward with his new administration, he believes Beale will continue to be an asset to the city. “I feel like he’s going to be wanting to see what he can do to help,” Doughtie says of Beale. “I feel he can be a valuable resource.”

Doughtie officially takes office as mayor of the city of Roanoke Rapids at the City Council’s regular meeting in December, currently scheduled for Dec. 8.