Dateline: March 27, 2003

Hill leads race to be third King Turkey

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Alderman Tommy Hill has jumped to an early lead in the 2003 race to be Donley County’s third Turkey King.

At press time, Hill was leading in the Enterprise / Gobbler Poll with a total stash of $22.02 His closest competitors were Hedley Coach Kenneth Housden with $3.81, Linda Thornton with $3.36, and Mark C. White (the banker) also with $3.36.

Five other candidates had broken the one-dollar mark with Mark White (the monument guy) at $2.85, Deputy Joe Stewart at $2.17, Nancy Davis at $1.54, lumberman Earl Hartman at $1.04, and Howardwick Alderman Doc Holladay at $1.01.

Howardwick Mayor Billy Woods, College Dean Joel Zehr, furniture man Eddy Eads, and Elementary Principal Mike Word all had less than two bits.

Voters have so far showed no interest in the candidacies of the remaining contenders. Bobbie Thornberry, Annette Osburn, Guy Ellis, Benny Osburn, Richard Gribble, and Mark Suna were all stuck in the starting coop with absolutely no money at all.

Money jars are in place at Duckwall’s, and anyone can vote for his favorite candidate with a donation of cash or change. The candidate with the most money wins.

The primary season comes to a close next Monday, March 31, when the field will be narrowed to the top five candidates. The winner announced at the annual Turkey Strut Festival on April 19.