Dateline: March 15, 2007

Candidates line up for city, HISD boards


Two local boards will have competitive elections this year as candidates lined up during the last week of filing.

With Monday’s deadline for a place on the ballot passed, the City of Clarendon and the Hedley Independent School District will definitely hold elections this May.

Clarendon Mayor Mark White will face a challenge from Lauraine Paul, and four people have signed up to run for the two open positions on the Board of Aldermen. They are Bobby Woodard, Ann Huey, Claude DeBord, and Terry Noble.

Incumbent Aldermen Bobbie Kidd and Michael Tibbets did not file for reelection.

Two incumbents on the Hedley School Board – Marlee Sharp and Abby O’Neal – are seeking reelection. They will be joined on the ballot by James Lollar, Kelly Patton, James Edward Potts, and Mary Jon Hicks. Four positions are available on the board.

Four other local boards have not generated enough candidates to hold elections this year.

Gene Rogers was the only candidate to file for office in Howardwick. 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 will expire this year.

Incumbents Marvin Thompson and James Shelton filed for reelection to the Clarendon School Board and are joined by Robin Ellis. Incumbent Reneé Betts did not file to run again.

Gaye Lollar and Collene Owens joined incumbent Bruce Howard in filing for the three positions open on the Hedley Board of Aldermen.

All incumbents on the Donley County Hospital Board have also filed for reelection. Don Thornberry, Alan Fletcher, and Melinda McAnear are all seeking to serve again.

Write-in candidates can still sign up through next Monday.

The elections will be held Saturday, May 12.