Several more sign up for local offices
By Donnie A. Lucas
With just over a week remaining in the filing period for several local May 7 elections, only a few candidates have signed up for a term on one of the six boards or councils subject to election.
Board member posts and council positions are subject to election by the public for both Albany and Moran school boards and city councils, along with the Shackelford County Hospital District and the Fort Griffin SUD.
Candidates have until Friday, Feb. 18 to have their names placed on the ballots for any of the local elections.
Albany School Board
All three incumbents on the Albany ISD board have filed for three-year terms, according to the superintendent’s office on Tuesday.
The newest board member, Matt Bellah, was appointed during the December meeting to replace longtime trustee Kelly Head for the Place 5 seat. Bellah has opted to sign up for a full three-year term that will start in May.
Likewise, incumbents Joe Tidwell and Kim Neece Fuentes both turned in the required applications for the Place 6 and Place 7 seats respectively.
Applications to file for the election are available in the superintendent’s office adjacent to the tennis courts at the secondary campus.
Albany City Council
According to Albany City Hall, none of the current council members had filed at press time for additional two-year terms.
Terms ending this year are those of Lester Galbreath, Ragan Riley, and Austin Sherwood.
Council members are selected by the top three candidates who receive the most votes in the at-large election.
Applications for the election are available at City Hall. For more information, contact the city office at 325-762-3133.
Hospital Board
The hospital district office has reported that Jason Price has officially signed up for one of the three expiring two-year terms, but none of incumbents had filed on Tuesday.
Two of the current board members reportedly picked up applications and petitions to start the process to file. According to the district office, incumbents Chris Beard and Myra Hise have obtained the required paperwork but neither had officially filed as of Tuesday.
The other incumbent is John Peterson, who has not indicated if he plans to run for re-election.
All hospital board candidates are required to pick up applications and petition forms to collect at least 10 signatures of currently registered voters in the county in order to file for office.
The forms are available at the district office located in the EMS building. Contact Regina Whitt for more information at 325-762-3313.
Moran City Council
Newly appointed mayor Tyler George has filed for a one-year unexpired term starting in May, along with two incumbent council members.
The council position that George recently resigned from when appointed as mayor is not thought to be vacant for long.
City secretary Teresa King said that the council is expected to appoint someone this week to fill George’s unexpired council position, and the new member is anticipated to file for a full two-year term starting in May.
George filed for the one-year unexpired mayoral term, which is now open to challengers as well.
Incumbent council members Dora Cook Leonard and Kimberly York both signed up last week for additional two-year terms of office.
Anyone with questions can contact the city office on weekday mornings at 325-945-3441.
Moran School Board
As of Tuesday, incumbent Sam Snyder filed for another three-year term on the Moran ISD board.
Incumbent Alice Branham’s seat is also expiring; however, no one has filed for the position yet.
Those interested in running should contact the superintendent’s office at the school, 325-945-3101, during regular school hours.
Fort Griffin SUD
The special district will be electing two members for three-year terms of office this year. The positions are currently held by Kenneth Hill and Sid Collingsworth, but neither had filed as of Tuesday.
For information on how to file for one of the seats on the board, contact Carrie Holson at 325-762-2575.
