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Kupillas, CP mayor lengthen leads By Bill Kettler While the race for Central Point mayor remained too close to call, three-term Jackson County Commissioner Sue Kupillas appeared headed for a record fourth term. Democrat Kupillas strengthened her lead to almost 1,700 votes in Wednesday�s count, although Republican Cleve Wright said not to count him out yet. "I think there�s still some hope. It�s mathematically possible," Wright said. Elsewhere in Jackson County, the measure to construct a new county juvenile center built on its early Tuesday lead, as did school bond measures in Eagle Point, Phoenix-Talent, Rogue River and Three Rivers school districts. In Central Point, meanwhile, residents will have to wait until at least today to find out who will guide their city the next two years. Mayor Bill Walton went to bed Tuesday night trailing challenger Carol Fischer by five votes in early tallies. By late Wednesday, with 57 percent of the votes counted in Jackson County, Walton held a 110-vote margin, with 1,476 votes (51.9 percent) to Fischer�s 1,366 (48.1 percent). "That�s what we like to hear," said Walton�s wife, Brenda. The mayor could not be reached for comment. Fischer said her phone rang often Wednesday as supporters called to offer encouragement. "They were all asking, �Have you heard? Have you heard?� " Fischer said she was gratified by the support, and not surprised by her strong showing because she campaigned hard in Central Point neighborhoods. "I did a lot of door knocking," she said. In a four-way race for two Central Point council seats, Kay Harrison continued to lead the pack with 1,506 votes (36.2 percent of 4,160 votes cast for the city council candidates). Former mayor Rusty McGrath, with 1,105 votes (26.5 percent), held a 24-vote lead over newcomer Bill Ward, who had 1,081 votes (25.9 percent). Lloyd Beichner, who dropped out of the race too late to be removed from the ballot, drew 468 votes (11.3 percent). The top two finishers win at-large council seats. In the race for Jackson County commissioner, Kupillas had 51.9 percent of the vote, with 23,705 votes to Wright�s 22,007. Wright said he was waiting for the final tally before conceding defeat. "I think we gave it a good shot against a three-term, popular opponent," Wright said Wednesday. Kupillas could not be reached for comment Wednesday. Reporter Jill Briskey contributed to this report. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.