EARLY VOTING UNDERWAY
Rusk, Jacksonville consider charter changes

Early voting is underway for the May 10 city and school elections. In the City of Rusk election three unopposed councilmen are seeking re-election. Voters will also be asked to approve five propositions to the city's existing charter.

Proposition three, if approved, will take away the mayor's vote except in the event of a tie vote. The mayor has voted at council meetings since voters extended this right in a special election on May 4, 1996.

Four other propositions will appear on the ballot.

Proposition one authorizes the council to appoint one or more alternate municipal court judges. Proposition two would set the terms of the city attorney, city clerk and municipal judge to be one year. Proposition four established a quorum as the majority of the members of the council and establishes the fact that an affirmative vote of the majority present is required to pass any order of business.

Proposition five would amend the expenditures of city funds of more than $2,000 to be approved by the city council.

Asking for re-election are incumbents Rusk city councilmen Don Jones, District 3; Donald Woodard, District 4; and Sam Florian, District 5. They are running unopposed, but their names will appear on the ballot.

Jacksonville city voters will be asked to approve seven charter revisions also. The last change to the charter was made in 2002. Propositions one, six and seven involve verbiage changes. Proposition three deals with candidate filing times. Proposition four sets candidates requirements. Proposition five authorizes the council to appoint persons to fill vacancies.

Candidates for the Jacksonville city council are incumbent Jeff Smith, District 2; and incumbent Phyllis Wilburn, challengers Rob Beall and James Hugghins, District 4.

Filing for two places on the Rusk school board are incumbents Frances Long and Dr. Anthony Holcomb and challengers, Oliver Sturns and Terry Downs.

At Alto four persons have filed for two seats on the school board. Candidates are incumbent Freddie Johnson and challengers Marvin Whitfield, Lionel Whitaker and Terry Black.

Asking for election to two places on the Jacksonville school board are incumbent James Houser and Ken Smith, place 4; and incumbent Jimmy Brown, Belinda Sims and Sarah Jane Robinson place 3.

Candidates for the Wells city council's two full terms are Roy White, incumbent, Joe Hedgepath and Robert Kalka; and a one-year unexpired term, Chris Pounds. Candidates for mayor are incumbent James Maddox and challenger Corbitt Doss.

Candidates for two places on the New Summerfield city council are incumbents Sheri Solomon and Karie Bolton and challenger Don Williams.

Elections that have been cancelled include Alto city, Wells ISD, Reklaw city, Gallatin city and New Summerfield ISD.

Early voting began Monday and will continue through May 6 for area city and school elections. Early voting will be conducted at the various city halls and school administration buildings. Election day is May 10.