NSBNEWS.net photo by Henry Frederick. Oak Hill Mayor Mike Thompson and former Mayor Jeff Bracy got into an aurgument on primary night at City Hall that had them bumping bellies.
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mayor and a former mayor got into a verbal argument outside City Hall that led to them "bumping bellies" during primary-election night, according to eyewitnesses.
Jeff Bracy, a former mayor, was charged with misdemeanor battery for kicking then-Mayor Mike Thompson who punched out one of his false teeth. The fisticuffs came after the two were seen bumping bellies, according to now-Mayor Darla Lauer.
The charge against Bracy, a much larger man physically than Thompson, was dropped in late October by the State Attorney's Office. Bracy was charged because the incident was witnessed by Oak Hill Police Chief Guy Grasso.
Bracy, 52, had come to City Hall in the same vehicle as Lauer and their spouses when he sought out Thompson, 61, Grasso said. Bracy was arrested on the misdemeanor charge because he was the aggressor, Grasso said. Thompson and Lauer were running for Thompson's mayoral spot in the November elections, which he lost to Lauer. Both of the combatants, who have a history of heart problems, were treated later that night at local hospitals for chest pains.