Mary Parham-Copelan re-elected mayor of Milledgeville

Parham-Copelan earned just over 52 percent of the vote and says she plans to focus on completing infrastructure projects and strengthening the local economy.

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Mary Parham-Copelan has been re-elected as mayor of Milledgeville, defeating challenger Walter Reynolds in Tuesday’s election.

Parham-Copelan received 1,234 votes, or 52.98 percent, while Reynolds earned 1,095 votes, or 47.02 percent.

In August, Parham-Copelan told 41NBC’s Fiona King she wanted to finish work started during her first two terms.

“This time around, we started getting into some things that I wanted to see done, and we put those things forth, and now in my third term, I want to see the work completed,” she said. “There is so much we started under my leadership that needs to be finished.”

She mentioned infrastructure improvements, including a $55 million bond referendum to overhaul Milledgeville’s water and sewage system.

“Now we have the ability because we invested over $1,000,000 in what we call a SCADA system,” she said. “The SCADA system alerts the water director. He looks at it. He can tell exactly when the tanks are going low, where the break might be, and they can get on it and fix it instantly.”

Parham-Copelan has also spoke about public safety, citing new body camera systems for police officers and in-car cameras as a key achievement.

“It’s watching the surroundings outside, and we’re most proud of that,” she said. “We have put a lot of money into making sure that happens, because we know safety on both ends means a lot to everyone.”

She said in August her priorities for this term are to “continue the work on our infrastructure, and continue to strengthen our economy.”

41NBC News will have coverage and reaction Tuesday night at 11, along with election results from across Middle Georgia.