Filing period for local boards ends Feb. 14

By Kathy Thomson

The deadline to file for local offices on the May 2 ballot is only one week away, and as of press time on Tuesday, only seven candidates had turned in their paperwork, leaving plenty of opportunities for additional civic-minded locals to volunteer to help lead their community. 

Incumbent Lester Galbreath filed for reelection as councilman for the city of Albany this week and Ragan Riley turned in her paperwork to join the Albany city council.

Already on the slate of candidates were mayor pro tem Susan Montgomery for Albany mayor, and incumbents James Waters for Albany councilman, Ginny Ivy and Robert Montgomery for the Albany school board, and Janna Ledbetter for the local hospital board.

The filing period for a place on the ballot for local board elections began on Jan. 15, and will close by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14.

There is not a fee to run for local offices.

Albany City Council

Current councilman and mayor pro tem Susan Montgomery filed for the remaining year of the two-year term for mayor of Albany, which was placed on the ballot this election cycle due to the death of mayor Rodney Alexander.

Ragan Riley has filed for a seat on the Albany City Council. Both James Waters and Lester Galbreath have filed to return as city councilmen. 

The seats currently held by Montgomery, Waters, and Galbreath are available this cycle, for a total of three at-large city council seats to be decided in the May election. Council members serve two-year terms. 

Applications for city council and for the mayor’s office are available at the Albany City Hall from city secretary Becky Wiloth. Those with questions can call Wiloth at 325-762-3133.

Albany ISD Board

Candidates for the Albany school board must live within the boundaries of the school district and must file for a specific seat. 

The trustees serve for three-year terms. Both the Place 1 and the Place 2 seats are on the upcoming ballot. 

Robert Montgomery has filed to return to Place 1.

Ginny Ivy is seeking reelection to Place 2.

Applications are available at the superintendent’s office at the secondary school campus.

Hospital Board

The Shackelford County Hospital Board has four two-year seats up for vote this May.

Candidates for the at-large seats must have their applications signed by at least 10 registered Shackelford County voters.

The terms of Myra Hise, Chris Beard, John Ayers, and Janna Ledbetter are expiring this cycle.

As of press time on Tuesday, Ledbetter was the only person who had turned in a completed paperwork packet.

Election information and applications are available from Regina Whitt at the district office at 840 Gregg Street.

Moran City Council

No one had filed for the three available seats on the Moran city council as of press time on Tuesday.

The at-large seats on the council are each for a two-year term.

Seats currently held by Cindy Husky, Dora Cook Leonard, and Tyler George are up for vote this year. 

Applications are available at Moran City Hall.

Moran ISD Board

Trustees on the Moran school board serve three-year terms, and the two at-large positions currently held by Gary Roan and James Shelton expire this spring.

As of Tuesday, no one had filed for the trustee positions, according to administrative assistant Jeannie TenCate.

People must live within the school district’s boundaries to be eligible to serve on the Moran ISD school board.

Packets for the positions are available in the superintendent’s office during school hours.

Ft. Griffin SUD Board

Three of the three-year terms on the local special utilities district board, those held by Jim Blancq, John Adams, and Robert Montgomery will expire this May.

According to administrative assistant Betty Shelton, no one had filed for the seats as of press time.

For more information on filing for a seat on the district water utility board, contact Shelton at 325-762-2575.