Published: March 09, 2009 08:44 pm      

Filings create competitive ballots

By Janet Jacobs

Daily Sun



Filing ended Monday for local elections, and last-minute filings have created some surprisingly competitive ballots for May 9.

Six candidates are running for three at-large seats on the school board in Blooming Grove. Two incumbents, Marty Weaver and Donnie Grounds, have filed, along with challengers Rory Evans, Chris Ivey, John Southard, and Thomas Carl Lawhon.

Six people are also running for three at-large seats on the Mildred school board. Filed to run are the three incumbents, Marilyn Mitchell, Shannon Wiggins, and Randy Thomas, as well as challengers David Bonner, Stuart Springer and Tom Raley.

Frost will have four candidates seeking two at-large seats for school board. Filed to run are incumbent Cliff Williams and challengers Kelli Riitterbach, Caleb Martin and Jeremy Woods.

Rice school district will also be conducting an election with the three incumbents, Steve McCarty, Irene Lopez and Debbie McElhaney, and challenger Tonya Roberts, competing for the three at-large seats on that school board.

Kerens ISD has four candidates seeking two positions: one incumbent, Teresa Jennings has filed for reelection, and challengers James Inman, David Hubbard and Ray Dube. Incumbent Steve Baxter is not seeking reelection.

Corsicana Independent School District won’t need to conduct elections. The newcomer to the board of trustees will be Barbara Kelley, who has filed for the seat currently held by Elbert Turner. Turner is not seeking reelection. John Saberton filed for reelection, but since he doesn’t have any challengers, he will be automatically reelected.

Dawson ISD will also be able to cancel its spring election, since only the incumbents, Clarence Hollingsworth, Scott Heaton and David Matthews filed to run.

In Corsicana’s case, being able to cancel the election will save the school district quite a bit of money, said Chip Curington, finance director for Corsicana ISD.

“Around $20,000,” Curington said. “It depends on the number of entities that can share the cost, but that’s typically what I’d budget for, about $20,000.”

In other elections, Corsicana Mayor C.L. “Buster” Brown is being challenged by Chaston C. Roston Jr., while Dana Collins and George Walker have both filed for the Precinct 4 seat.

Stephen G. Andrews is unchallenged in his bid for reelection to the precinct 3 seat, as was Municipal Court Judge Mike Russell. The position of city attorney is also up for election. Terry Jacobson currently holds that position.

Two candidates are seeking Place 4 on the Navarro College Board of Trustees: David Taylor, and Dick Aldama. Two candidates have also filed for the “at large” position: “Buster” Atkeisson and Pat Harper.

Early voting will take place April 27 through May 5. Election day will be May 9.

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Janet Jacobs may be reached via e-mail at jacobs@corsicanadailysun.com