Judge Dismisses Case Against Two Tallassee Mayoral Candidates

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Two mayoral candidates in Tallassee will be on the ballot in the city’s election in two weeks after a circuit judge dismissed a case against them.
The issue was whether the candidates actually live in the city.

There’s a crowded field of four running for mayor in Tallassee now that current mayor Bobby Payne is not seeking re-election.

That group was almost cut in half after the city council questioned the qualifications of Trey Taylor and Jeanna Kervin.

The council wasn’t sure the two actually lived in the city limits, which led to the lawsuit.

“The city has no authority to do that and what we were here on today was a motion to dismiss, because the Supreme Court and the statute makes it clear that the court has absolutely no authority and jurisdiction to hear anything and I think it actually says to interfere with the proceeding of an election,” said Mike Segrest, Kervin’s attorney.

After a brief hearing with attorneys for both sides, the judge decided to do just that and dismiss the case.

Kervin says she feels like the city council singled her out to hurt her chances in the upcoming election.

“The city council had voted at one council to not pursue anything against me and a week later without rescinding the vote they decided to move against me. So I think there is some timing there. I think it was deliberate, I think it was intentional to damage my campaign,” she said.

Taylor says he’s happy he’ll be on the ballot and he’s glad this whole case is now behind him.

“Somewhat I feel a little targeted. I know people have questions about it. The thing is I’ve lived in Tallassee for 49 years. Everyone there knows me. I’m a county commissioner,” said Taylor.

Former mayor George McCain and Johnny hammock are also running for mayor.

The election is on August 23rd