City, college develop contested races

Competitive races have developed at two of the seven local boards holding elections this spring as filing continues through next Monday.
The City of Clarendon will hold an election to choose the three aldermen for two-year terms. Those positions are currently held by Aldermen Tommy Hill, Kyle Davis, and Will Thompson. At press time on Tuesday, only Alderman Thompson had filed for re-election, and new candidates so far are Jeff King, Jeremy Powell, and former alderman Terry Noble.
The Clarendon College District has drawn four candidates for the three open positions on the Board of Regents. Incumbents Susie Shields, Charles Deyhle, and Ruth Robinson are joined by challenger Jerry Gage.
Howardwick City Hall was closed for business Tuesday morning as a primary polling location, so information about who has or has not signed up to run for offices there was not available. Howardwick has three positions up on its Board of Aldermen. The positions are currently held by Rod Donaldson and Tanis McMorries, and one is vacant following the recent resignation of LeeAnn Cook.
Hedley ISD has had only one candidate sign up for the three positions available on its Board of Trustees. Incumbent Karen Watt is running to serve the remainder of the unexpired term she was appointed to. Two full terms up for election this year are currently held by James Edward Potts and Troy Monroe.
All the incumbents at the City of Hedley have filed for re-election and have not yet drawn any opposition. Those seats are now held by Mayor Bruce Howard, Leon Ward, Tonya Metcalf, Travis Thomas, and Lonnie Roby.
Likewise at Clarendon ISD, the three incumbents – Robin Ellis, Jim Shelton, and Marvin Thompson – are seeking re-election and are unopposed so far.
The Donley County Hospital District has three candidates for four positions so far. Incumbent Jeannie Owens has filed to run for her Place 5 hospital board seat, and Mark C. White is seeking re-election to Place 6. Jan Farris has filed to run for Place 4, which is currently held by Greg Collins, who is reportedly not seeking re-election. The other open seat this year is held by Lori Howard at Place 7.
All local offices are elected at-large, but hospital board candidates must sign up for a specific place.
Sign up continues through March 8, 2010; and the elections will be held Saturday, May 8.