Dateline: March 18, 2004

Candidates signing up to run for local offices

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

The political scene heated up this week with several candidates signing up to run for local offices, and all but two local governments will hold contested elections this May.

In the race for three seats on the Clarendon Board of Aldermen, incumbents Tommy Hill, Janice Knorpp, and Mark White will be joined on the ballot by challengers Ron Lamberth, Bill Holden, and Ray Hamilton.

In Hedley, three people have signed up to run for two at-large positions on the board of aldermen. Pamela Casteel is challenging incumbents Leon Ward and Terry Stevens. Mayor Janie Hill is running unopposed for re-election.

At the Donley County Hospital District, Kelly Tunnell and Pat McAnear have signed up to run for the Place 4 seat on the Board of Directors formerly held by the late Jerry May. Linda Kay Bell is challenging incumbent Carolyn Moffett for her Place 5 seat on the board. Incumbent Onita Thomas will face Don Stone in Place 6, and incumbent Jim Douglas is challenged June Davis for Place 7 seats.

For three positions on the Clarendon ISD Board of Trustees, incumbents Reneé Betts, Jim Shelton, and Marvin Thompson are joined on the ballot by Judy Thomas.

Four candidates have signed up to run for three places on the Hedley ISD Board of Trustees. They are incumbents Marlee Sharp and Jason Sargent along with Abby O’Neal and Rex Morris.

The City of Howardwick likely will not have an election this year. With three positions on the Board of Aldermen open, incumbents Bobby Murdock and Sam Grider signed up to run for re-election, and H.L. “Buster” Baird has also filed to run for a full term.

Baird is currently on the board, serving the unexpired term of Dewey Linley. As he moves to a full term position, the board will again have to appoint someone for the remaining time of Linley’s term.

Clarendon College will also not be holding an election as only the three incumbents – Ruth Robinson, Susie Shields, and Charles Deyhle, Sr. – have filed to run for re-election to the Board of Regents.

This year’s elections will be held on Saturday, May 15.