Dateline: May 11, 2006

Howardwick election being held Saturday

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Howardwick voters will go to the polls Saturday to select three members of the Board of Aldermen and a new mayor for that city.

Early voting was brisk; and with about four hours of early polling time left Tuesday, 75 citizens had cast their ballots.

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

But perhaps the most interesting race is that for the title of mayor, which has been vacant since Nancy Davis did not run for reelection a year ago. Voters have two choices for the job – Paul Bartlett and the late James McMorries, who passed away from injuries suffered while fighting the I-40 fire on March 12.

McMorries filed for the office but passed away after the deadline to remove a name from the ballot.

City officials say ballots cast for McMorries are legal and will be counted. If he wins, it will be up to the Board of Aldermen to appoint someone to serve in his place.

Howardwick City Hall will be open for polling this Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.