Dateline: March 8, 2007

Candidates still scarce for upcoming election
 

With only days left in the sign-up period, candidates are still in scarce supply for this year’s local elections.

As of Tuesday afternoon, only four incumbents had signed up to run for reelection and five new candidates had emerged.

Gene Rogers leads the list as the only candidate to file for office in Howardwick so far. Rogers filed papers to run for city alderman. The terms of Howardwick Mayor Marvin Elam and Aldermen Pat Butler (serving for Bill Barton) and Bobby Murdock are also up for election this year.

Two new people have signed up to run for the Hedley school board with James Lollar and Kelly Patton throwing their hats into the ring. The positions of Jason Sargent, Marlee Sharp, and Abby O’Neal are expiring; and two years remain on the term of Troy Monroe for which Rex Morris was appointed. Of the incumbents, only Sharp has signed up.

Incumbents Marvin Thompson and James Shelton are running again for the Clarendon school board. Robin Ellis has also signed up, and incumbent Reneé Betts has not yet turned in an application.

Gaye Lollar is the only one who has filed to run for a position on the Hedley Board of Aldermen. The seats of Aldermen Bruce Howard, Tangela Copelin, and Jim Lollar (serving for Pam Casteel) are up this year.

Incumbent Don Thornberry has filed to run again for the Place 1 seat on the Donley County Hospital Board. The terms of Alan Fletcher (Place 2) and Melinda McAnear (Place 3) are also expiring.

The City of Clarendon is still without any candidates at this point. The positions of Mayor Mark White and Aldermen Michael Tibbets and Bobbie Kidd are expiring.

All local offices are elected at-large, but hospital board candidates must sign up for a specific place.

Sign up continues through March 12, 2007; and the elections will be held Saturday, May 12.