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Forest Heights residents Wednesday elected Councilwoman Jacqueline E. Goodall (Ward 1) to be the next leader of their controversy-stricken municipality, over the town's incumbent mayor and two other previous mayors.

With 107 votes, Goodall beat out incumbent mayor Andrea McCutcheon, who had been on suspension since January and earned 85 votes; former mayor Larry M. Stoner, who earned 86 votes; and Stoner's predecessor, formerly suspended mayor Myles Spires Jr., who earned 25.

In the race for two open council seats in Wards 2 and 3, the two incumbents won: Anne K. Reifsneider (Ward 2) defeated Clifton Atkinson, and William Clarke (Ward 3) defeated Taunya Hines.

Robert Barnes, the husband of Councilwoman C. Lynn Smith-Barnes (Ward 1), won the other Ward 1 seat vacated by Goodall as a write-in candidate.

The council seats held by Barnes, Brian McLaurin (Ward 3), and Council President Jonathon W. Kennedy II (Ward 2) are not up for election until 2012.

Goodall said she believes her hard work and honesty earned her the job, and now she needs to make sure she meets her constituents' needs.

"I'll start working my butt off. The first thing that I want to do is talk to the people," Goodall said.

Forest Heights has struggled with its leadership over the years, and the 2011 election came amid the town's latest personnel saga. The council suspended McCutcheon in January after determining she committed charter violations that included not submitting quarterly budget reports on time and administering pay bonuses without receiving council approval.

McCutcheon said Wednesday's results are a result of what she believes was a smear campaign.

"This is what was to be expected since [Goodall] spearheaded this campaign to suspend me and I had done nothing wrong," said McCutcheon, who also said she intends to remain an active community member. Goodall served as the town's lead witness in a case defending the council's right to suspend McCutcheon.

Spires, who served as mayor in 2006, but was suspended in that year said he was "happy" with the election.

"I think in many ways it at least motivated the community," Spires said. "What we were able to see by the turnout was that the community is engaged, so we have a momentum that we can build on." Like McCutcheon, Spires also vowed to stay active in the town.

Stoner, who took over for Spires, called Wednesday's result "unbelievable."

"I don't understand what the people are thinking. I just don't," Stoner said.

Town residents are hoping this election can change the culture of scandal that has permeated Forest Heights over the years.

"I just don't understand all the infighting between the council people," said Barbara Briggs, 66, who also said she voted for McCutcheon. "That's the biggest thing is if we can get on one accord and say that we are looking out for Forest Heights instead of their own personal vendettas against each other."

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