Amanda McBride/Staff

Newly elected Mayor of Ackerman Dick Cain stands proudly with his wife, Lynn, and grandson, Zachary Lawrence.

The Choctaw Plaindealer

Residents of the Town of Ackerman have chosen Dick Cain as their new mayor. Cain will serve as the Mayor of Ackerman until the June 2009 elections.

The unofficial election results show Cain won 293-245 in a close race against Tommy Curtis.

"I just want to thank everyone for coming to vote," said Cain, Monday night.

Election officials said there were only 11 affidavits ballots to be counted.

The two learned they would face in a runoff, Jan. 28, after the mayoral special election. In the special election Cain received 34 percent of the vote with Curtis receiving 28 percent.

Cain has been a resident of Ackerman for the past twenty years and is married to the former Nora Lynn McCullough and the father of three children and two-step children. Cain is also an active member of Ackerman Baptist Church.

He served in the Mississippi Army National Guard for nine years and obtained the rank of Sergeant First Class.

Cain retired in November 2007 from Rowan Companies, Inc., a land and offshore drilling contractor, with over 26 years of service as a rig manager.

He said his duties included establishing and maintaining budgets for a rig whose revenue is over one hundred million dollars annually. Cain was the direct supervisor of more than 95 personnel, day-to-day operation of the rig on a 24-hour basis, day-to-day contact with customers and public relations and was involved in writing and negotiating contracts.

During his campaign, Cain said if elected, he will do everything he can make sure the Town of Ackerman stays within its budget.

"If elected, my goal is to keep Ackerman clean and beautiful. I will actively seek and secure grants that will benefit Ackerman and its residents. I will do what it takes to stay within our budget, making sure that we do not spend more money than we take in. I will run our town like any business should be run," said Cain during his campaign.