McMinnville aldermen still undecided about running for re-election
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However, conspicuously absent from the group are two of the three incumbent aldermen, with the third saying he is not sure if he will run this year.
Qualifying deadline for the three aldermanic spots falls on Thursday. To qualify, the candidate must be a McMinnville resident and obtain signatures of at least 25 registered city voters on his or her qualifying petition. The six spots on the Board of Mayor and Aldermen are elected in staggered four-year terms.
This year, the spots held by Billy Wood, Rickey Minton and Rickey Jones are up for election. They were elected in 1998 to their first terms and are presently the aldermen with the most experience. They began a major movement in the city council which ousted several long-time aldermen over the past two elections. The three aldermen elected in 2000, which continued the trend started in 1998, Donald Hillis, Patti Nunley and Jimmy Bonner, were also elected to their first terms.
Jones, who is the lone incumbent to pick up qualifying papers, said he has not decided if he will run.
“I haven’t come to a final decision yet,” Jones said. “I’ll wait close to the deadline before I commit.”
Alderman and Vice Mayor Billy Wood echoed Jones’ comments, saying he will not decide until deadline.
“I did everything I came to do,” Wood said. “I guess we’ll see at the deadline August 15.”
While the incumbents are not committing to a run, there are several hopefuls waiting in the wings. Of the 10 to pick up papers thus far, Ray Weddington and William Bonner have turned in their papers and are qualified for the ballot.
Others who have picked up papers include Steve Harvey, Dickie Kesey, Larry Judkins, Gary T. Hillis, Bobby Kirby, Everett Brock and Jimmy Haley.
The large field, according to Election Administrator Donna Yates, should spark good interest in the city election this year, an election which could also include a liquor referendum. The election will also be coupled with federal and state representative elections and a referendum on a state lottery.
“This could offer the voters a lot of choices this year,” Yates said.
A city election will also be held in Morrison Nov. 5. Thus far, only the incumbents have picked up qualifying papers. They include Mayor Harris Jacobs and aldermen Sue Anderson, Mary Jarrell, Joe Hefner, David Youngblood and Bobby Prater. Their qualifying deadline is also Aug. 15.