Qualifying papers for city alderman available this week

Qualifying papers are available for political hopefuls eyeing one of three city alderman seats up for election in McMinnville this November.

According to election administrator Donna Yates, papers will be available this week but most of her staff will be out of the office until Thursday, therefore she is recommending candidates wait until later in the week to come by and get papers.

The three seats up for grabs this election are each held by freshman aldermen including Bobby Kirby, Jimmy Haley and Michael Chrisawn. They were the top three vote-getters in 2002 when the municipal election was held along with a hotly contested gubernatorial election in which Phil Bredesen defeated former congressman Van Hilleary. It was also the same election in which McMinnvillians voted in liquor by the drink.

In that election, Kirby garnered 1,933 votes, Jimmy Haley 1,836 votes and Michael Chrisawn 1,403 votes. William Bonner was fourth with 1,255 votes, followed by Ray Weddington with 1,213 votes, Rickey Jones with 977 votes and Bruce Atnip with 759 votes.

All aldermanic seats are at large, meaning the person seeking office may live in any part of the city limits. There are no districts. The top three vote-getters are elected. However, unlike voters who can vote in the city as long as they simply own property in the city, candidates for city offices must reside in the city limits.

The city?s six aldermen positions, each elected for four-year terms, are in staggered in two-year election cycles. In 2008, spots held by Donald Hillis, Rick Barnes and Patti Nunley will come up for election as will the mayoral seat of Royce Davenport. Their elections will correspond with the presidential election that year.

Those wishing to qualify must obtain, on their qualifying papers, the signatures of 25 registered city voters. Qualifying will continue through the summer for the Nov. 7 election.