Dateline: March 16, 2006

Howardwick draws opponents for offices 

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Of the seven local governments scheduled to hold elections this year, only the City of Howardwick has contested candidates for office.

Six citizens are vying for three positions on the Board of Aldermen. Incumbents Lee Ann Cook and Sam Grider will be joined on the ballot by challengers Susie Langford, H.L. “Buster” Baird, Stanley Couch, and Milton Brown.

A horse race also developed to see who will serve out the term of former mayor Nancy Davis. Paul Bartlett and James McMorries have both filed to run for that office.

Other local entities reported only as many candidates as they had positions available.

The Clarendon College Board of Regents will see two new faces. John Howard filed for the unexpired term of Jimmy Blackerby, and Jerry Woodard will also be a new member. They join incumbents Doug Lowe and Delbert Robertson, who both filed for office again. Longtime member Mike Butts will not seek reelection.

Clarendon Aldermen Janice Knorpp, Mark White, and Tommy Hill file to return to their offices.

Hedley Mayor Janie Hill is seeking another term, and Aldermen Ricki Baker and Leon Ward have filed for their positions again. They are joined by Alderman Jim Lollar, who is serving out the unexpired term of Pamela Casteel and is seeking to continue that office.

The Clarendon ISD Board of Trustees has Joe Lemley and Wayne Hardin both running for reelection.

Offices at Hedley ISD were not open this week because of Spring Break, but at last report only incumbents Cary Don Neeley, Troy Monroe, and Blane Burton had filed for reelection.

Incumbents will also return to the Donley County Hospital Board with Gene Hommel in Place 4, Carolyn Moffett in Place 5, Onita Thomas in Place 6, and Bright Newhouse in Place 7.

Boards without contested races will likely cancel their elections after March 20.

Howardwick will hold its election on Saturday, May 13.