Fewer candidate packets than open seats on the Holbrook City Council were returned to the city clerk by the deadline on Dec. 10.
Candidates who returned the appropriate paperwork include current councilman Bobby Tyler for mayor, and C.J. Wischmann and David Newlin for city council.
There are four positions coming up for election, including those currently held by Mayor Jeff Hill, Vice Mayor Charles Haussman, and Councilmen Phil Cobb and Tyler.
Write-in candidates may still submit their paperwork in order to fill the remaining seat on the council, or to run against the candidates who will be listed on the ballot. In order to be considered a valid write-in candidate, individuals must submit the appropriate paperwork no later than Jan. 29.
City Clerk Cher Reyes explained that unofficial write-in candidates cannot be elected according to state law. In other words, if a candidate wishes to run as a write-in and does not file the paperwork by Jan. 29, that candidate cannot be elected no matter how many votes he or she receives.
“If they’re a write-in and it’s not official, they can’t be elected,” she reiterated.
Reyes noted that the paperwork for a write-in candidate is the same as for a standard candidate, except that there is no need to collect nomination signatures. Write-in candidate packets are available at city hall, located at 465 First Ave.
Candidates for city council seats must have resided within city limits for at least two years prior to the election. Council members receive $100 per month as compensation for their service. Council members are asked to regularly attend city council meetings, which are held twice per month, and serve as representatives of the city at public functions and on various boards and committees.
Candidates for the position of mayor must be qualified electors and have physically lived within the city limits of Holbrook for at least two years prior to the election. The mayor must also continue to live within city limits while in office. The mayor receives $200 per month as compensation for serving. The mayor has executive and ceremonial duties, according to the city charter, but no daily administrative duties. Under the terms of the charter, administrative duties are delegated to the city manager. The mayor is asked to attend certain public functions, and to serve on certain boards and committees when possible.
The vice mayor is elected by fellow council members after the newly elected members are seated. The vice mayor stands in for the mayor in the event of his or her absence.
The primary election will be held on March 10, 2015. If necessary, a general election will be held in May.
