Sidney Bell Willis won a third term Saturday as the District 3 representative on the Longview City Council.

Willis, 72, a retired school teacher, received 339 votes. Her opponent, the Rev. Harvel Davis, 49, the owner of Bel's Diner and pastor at Fredonia Baptist Church of Tatum, received 172 votes. The results are unofficial until canvassed by the City Council.

"I'm exuberant that the people in my district have chosen to return me to office," Willis said. "My work is cut out for me, but I know I can handle it. I'm glad I'll have a chance to continue to serve the city."

District 3 is in South Longview. Willis has said she's deepened South Longview's voice at City Hall.

"The main issues I'll be working on are improving streets and ditches and bringing more businesses to my district," Willis said. "I'll be working closely with Keep Longview Beautiful and LEDCO (Longview Economic Development Corp.) to achieve those goals."

Davis said he wished Willis a successful term. He is a former city parks employee who opened Bel's Diner in 1992. This was his first time to seek public office.

"I want to congratulate her on her victory," Davis said. "I have no ill feelings toward her."

Willis spent four decades with the Longview Independent School District, beginning in 1955 as a music teacher. She later became an elementary school counselor and education diagnostician during special education testing before her retirement.

Davis said he has not ruled out the possibility of running for the council again.

Willis said she supports Mayor Jay Dean's Task Force on Workforce Readiness and its platform to give high school students more options for technical and vocational training.

"Being a teacher, I'm interested in educational issues," she said.

Willis also has said she supports pay raises for city employees. The council is considering pay raises for the upcoming 2008-09 budget.

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Voting results

Sidney Bell Willis, incumbent: 339 votes, 66 percent

The Rev. Harvel Davis: 172 votes, 34 percent