Filings close

Candidate filings are in for the April 2008 election. At 5 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008, all filing stations closed, wrapping up what most hope to be the end of a new beginning.

Area city governments report the following positions and the candidates who will compete for them.

Clerk Erma Branum with the city of Arbyrd was unavailable for comment, but the latest report was that Paul Phillips filed to run against Incumbent Mayor Lonnie Gibson, Jr. Incumbent Jessica Zolman has filed again for North Ward Alderman, two-year term. Incumbent Ron Branum has filed for the seat of North Ward Alderman, one-year term. Johnnie Zolman has filed to run against Branum. Robert Burgess is the only candidate to file for the South Ward Alderman seat.

Cardwell City Clerk Mary Vaughn said the City has had two to file for the one north and one south ward alderman seat. Judith Oravet filed for South Ward alderman, which is currently held by Rebecca Hall. Alderman John Bishop did not run for reelection, therefore his seat as North Ward alderman remains vacant.

Clerk Jerry Gray with the City of Holcomb said every race will remain uncontested since incumbents were the only ones looking to fill the open seats. Incumbent Terry Roberts filed for South Ward alderman. Clerk Jerry Gray runs unopposed for city clerk and Incumbant Terry Robertson flies solo to reclaim his seat again as South Ward alderman.

City Clerk Penny McLarty with the City of Hornersville said Phyllis Hamrick came to the rescue when she filed for the south ward alderman seat, which she had recently been appointed to after alderman Floyd Bailey was forced to resign his position due to a career move. Hamrick was the only one to file for the one-year term. Johnny Van Nunnery and Chief Carl Pierce have both filed for Chief of Police. Glen Burress and Incumbent Greg Fletcher have filed for the south ward alderman, two-year term. Incumbent Marty Goff filed for his seat as North Ward Alderman, with a two-year term. Ronald G. Coleman and Rondia Rauls have also filed for the North Ward, two-year term position.

City Clerk Brenda Privett with the City of Kennett said incumbent James "Jingo" Cole filed again for Ward 2 councilman. Incumbent Tony Crawford filed again for Ward 3, and incumbent Tracy Smith filed for his seat again to serve residents of Ward IV. Smith has an opponent now, Gene Watts, who also has filed for the Ward IV alderman seat. Incumbent Patty Webb will be running solo, seeking to serve residents of Ward I.

Clerk Kathy Morgan with the City of Senath said incumbent Bud Brooks filed for his seat as North Ward alderman. John Holmes filed for the South Ward Alderman, two-year term seat, currently occupied by Junior Jaco, who will be seeking to get reelected to his position as South Ward alderman.

The voters of Senath will also get the chance to determine whether or not the city council and mayor get to appoint a marshall or if they would rather leave it up to the voters to decide each election by checking yeah or nay on the designated ballot box.

The April 2008 election will also give voters the opportunity to determine who will be serving their school district by running for a spot on the local board of education.

Schools and contendors for serving their board of education are:

* Southland -- There are three seats available on the Southland Board of Education. There were four people to file for those seats. They are incumbant Derrick Higgins, incumbant Kathy Zolman, incumbant Jeff Wilson. Steve Eastburn has filed for one of the three seats as well.

* Kennett -- The Kennett Board of Education will have a race since five people are running with only three seats vacant. Candidates who have filed include Randy Haman, Daren Todd, Chris Wake, Bob Green and Eules Hively.

* Senath-Hornersville -- There will be no race for seats on the Senath-Hornersville Board of Education since three candidates filed and the board had three empty seats. They inlcude, incumbant Dana Autry, incumbant Gary Newman, Jr., and Wayland Tom.