Dateline: March 28, 2002
Turkey King election now off and flying
By
Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise
While
candidates for county offices vie for public attention and several local
boards are canceling their elections due to a lack of interest, one
burning question is on the minds of Donley County voters… who will be
the king?
Twelve
candidates have been volunteered to run for the exalted throne of King
Turkey as part of the second annual Donley County Turkey Strut Festival to
be held here April 19-21. Voting started last week at Duckwall’s, and
controversy may already be brewing. Election officials say one unnamed
candidate demanded – without success – that their jar be removed from
the voting place.
As
of Tuesday morning, Methodist preacher James Ivey Edwards was the early
leader with $6 in his jar. Insurance salesman Bright Newhouse was in
second place with $2.50, and college dean Joel Zehr was in third place
with $1.58. On Zehr’s tail feathers was high school principal Larry
Jeffers with $1.17.
Other
candidates scratching the surface were retired café owner Mutt Graham
with 52 cents, Howardwick Alderman Nancy Davis with 48 cents, and Hedley
School Superintendent Bryan Hill with 23 cents.
Five
candidates had yet to get off the roost. Returning candidates Mayor Tex
Selvidge and Clarendon Alderman Michael Tibbets were both posting goose
eggs this week as were car dealer Jim Blackerby and retired professor Zell
SoRelle. Housing Authority maintenance supervisor Larry Hicks, a member of
the presiding Royal Family and uncle to last year’s king, was also
searching for support in the polling.
Voting
continues at Duckwall’s variety store. Support your favorite turkey by
putting money in their jar. The bird with the most money wins, and the
proceeds will benefit the Donley County Tourism Council.
The
Turkey King will be crowned at 5 p.m. April 20 as part of the grand finale
of the celebration. More details of the scheduled events will be printed
next week. For information about the Turkey Strut Festival, contact Dee
Dee Autry at 874-3889