Published: April 24, 2009 11:19 pm      

Early voting begins Monday

Voters begin making decisions in school board and municipal races Monday as early balloting begins for the May 9 elections.

While the Athens Independent School District $25.7 million dollar bond election has claimed much of the attention, voters in four school districts will be choosing trustees. Four cities have contested mayoral races and six municipalities will choose city council representatives.

The AISD has placed two proposals on the ballot. Proposition 1 calls for the issuance of $7.5 million in bonds to “construct, renovate and equip classrooms and facilities at Athens Middle School, South Athens Elementary School and Athens High School and levying the tax in payment thereof.”

Proposition 2 is for “the issuance of $18.2 million in bonds “for the purpose of constructing a new elementary school and levying the tax in payment thereof.”

Voters can approve or deny both items, or choose to approve either of the propositions while denying the other.

Early balloting will be conducted 8 a.m. through 4 p.m., Monday through Friday at the District Support Center, beginning April 27 and ending May 5.

Voting will also be conducted at the following temporary branch polling places:

• Athens High School- April 27, 4:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.

• Bel Air Elementary- April 28, 4:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.

• South Athens Elementary-April 30, 4:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.

• Athens ISD Annex-May 1, 4:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.

• Athens Intermediate School-May 4, 4:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m and

• Athens Middle School-May 5, 4:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.

The City of Athens will not require an election because only the incumbents, Mayor Randy Daniel and Councilman Jerry Don Vaught filed for the two available seats.

The Athens Independent School District Board of Trustees will have one contested seat.

In Place 4, Ginger Kirk has drawn a challenge from Will Davies. Rob Risko will be unopposed for another term in Place 3.

The Malakoff mayoral race will have three trying for the spot. The candidates are John Shumate, Dennis Haws and Ricky Layne Baker.

The complete list of candidates for city races includes:

• Chandler — Joy Rains has filed for mayor. Marshall Crawford Jr., Barbara Reeves and Bobby Lankford have filed for the two available council seats.

• Eustace — There are two filings for mayor, Mayor Laura Ward and challenger Donald Siegel. Incumbents Lisa Roberts and Karyn Mullen filed for city council, as are Sherry Burkett and Jack Wallace. There are three open seats.

• Log Cabin — Billy Goodwyn has filed for re-election as mayor. There are four candidates for the two council seats: Larry Nolan, Steve Sutton, Charles Hayes and Tom Garrett.

• Malakoff — For mayor, John Shumate, Dennis Haws and Ricky Layne Baker Jr. have filed. Tim Trimble and Jeanette King are seeking re-election to one of two council seats.

• Seven Points — Five candidates are vying for three seats, Tommy Taylor, Michael Lowe, Bubba Powell, Wanda Lee Nichols and Tony Richards.

• Tool — Mike Black is seeking another term as mayor and has drawn Tamara Brickey as a challenger. Incumbents Leland Pitts and Nathan Reader have filed the two council seats. Dennis Condage has also filed for the council.

• Trinidad — Jason Tatom has filed for mayor along with Larry D. Estes. Five candidates have filed for the two council seats: Gary Brett Norman, Mary E. Johnston, Susan Latham, John Lewis and Linda Brock.

School board filings include:

• Athens — Rob Risko will be unopposed for another term in Place 3. Place 4 incumbent Ginger Kirk has drawn a challenge from Will Davies.

• Brownsboro — There are six candidates for the two seats now held by Bobby Teague and Dusty Wise. In addition to the incumbents, the candidates are Jeffrey Wood, Luke Rains, Brian Bersano and Danny Wilson.

• La Poynor — Place 6 trustee Keith Bristow has drawn opposition from Patrick DeBusk and Steven Simmons. Place 7 filers are Steve Handley and Stan McCurley.

• Malakoff — There are two seats available. Incumbents Rick Vieregge and Gary Woolverton have filed for re-election with Pat Smith challenging.