Special election for Joe Walter's seat in Watkinsville?
Even though the qualifying period for municipal elections in Watkinsville does not start until tomorrow, the electoral gears are already grinding toward filling vacant slots. Now some of you may need a score card to keep up, but I will try to keep this as simple as possible.
1. City council member John Walsh, Jr. resigned at the end of the August meeting because he is moving outside of the city limits of Watkinsville. The remaining members of the council then appointed Henry Norman, who lives in the Christian Lake subdivision, to fill the end of his term (less than six months).
2. Norman announced that he will seek election to the slot he was appointed to in August in the November municipal election.
3. Mayor Jim Luken of Watkinsville announced he will not seek re-election to a fourth term as Mayor of Watkinsville. He will instead support the candidacy of city council member Joe Walter to the Mayoral slot.
4. Council member Brian Brodrick announced he will seek another term on the city council, and I think it is at least his fourth term, but I could be way off on that total and apologize to Brodrick if I am wrong. His slot and the Walter slot are the ones that were to be up for re-election regardless of resignation or re-election plans.
5. Joe Walter's position on the city council will be open for a special election because he was re-elected last year and has a year remaining on his term. Although it has yet to be confirmed by the clerk or anyone else, there should be a special election this November after Walter resigns his position on the City Council Monday to run for Mayor.
6. Will any of the candidates draw opposition? My guess is no, but Lord knows I have been wrong in most of my predictions and punditry lately. Will a new administration led by Mayor Joe Walter continue on the same path forged by Luken and the current council (Yes, according to a brief phone call I had with Walter on Saturday morning). Who will qualify for the special election? I have at least one guess, but I am keeping that close to the vest.
1. City council member John Walsh, Jr. resigned at the end of the August meeting because he is moving outside of the city limits of Watkinsville. The remaining members of the council then appointed Henry Norman, who lives in the Christian Lake subdivision, to fill the end of his term (less than six months).
2. Norman announced that he will seek election to the slot he was appointed to in August in the November municipal election.
3. Mayor Jim Luken of Watkinsville announced he will not seek re-election to a fourth term as Mayor of Watkinsville. He will instead support the candidacy of city council member Joe Walter to the Mayoral slot.
4. Council member Brian Brodrick announced he will seek another term on the city council, and I think it is at least his fourth term, but I could be way off on that total and apologize to Brodrick if I am wrong. His slot and the Walter slot are the ones that were to be up for re-election regardless of resignation or re-election plans.
5. Joe Walter's position on the city council will be open for a special election because he was re-elected last year and has a year remaining on his term. Although it has yet to be confirmed by the clerk or anyone else, there should be a special election this November after Walter resigns his position on the City Council Monday to run for Mayor.
6. Will any of the candidates draw opposition? My guess is no, but Lord knows I have been wrong in most of my predictions and punditry lately. Will a new administration led by Mayor Joe Walter continue on the same path forged by Luken and the current council (Yes, according to a brief phone call I had with Walter on Saturday morning). Who will qualify for the special election? I have at least one guess, but I am keeping that close to the vest.
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