At the same meeting during his "thank you" to the voters, mayor Tony Aikens said this would definitely be his last term in office. He also mentioned that apparently, 60% of the voters liked the job he was doing. In actuality mayor, only 54.5% voted for you.

Councilman Eddie Simpson also stated that this would likely be his last term. He wasn't quite as definitive as Aikens was but he said it. It's really hard to imagine how much more damage the mayor and his dwindling number of loyal council members, can do to the city in the next four years. It's also hard to imagine that Aikens or Simpson will ever willingly voluntarily give up their perceived power and prestige.  

Hopefully, with two members, McNabb and Todd Kennedy, behind the table, who will not be a rubber stamp for the mayor, maybe some of the Aikens mass development can be halted. Unfortunately, there's no way to undo the damage Aikens and friends have already caused.

The next Lenoir City council election will be November 2026.