Published: April 26, 2009 10:13 pm      

Early voting begins Monday for cities, schools

By Cristin Ross

cross@jacksonvilleprogress.com

Early voting in local city and school elections begins Monday.

The cities of Rusk and New Summerfield, as well as the Jacksonville and Rusk school districts, are all holding elections May 9. Early voting continues through Tuesday, May 5.

Jacksonville Independent School District incumbent trustees Dale Jamerson and Joe Casey both retain their seats on the JISD school board, as neither had an opponent. Both will be listed on the ballots as unopposed.

Two candidates have filed for JISD Seat 6 — the spot being vacated by Dr. Larry Folden. Todd Travis and Belinda Simms are each seeking to take Folden’s seat on the board.

JISD voters can cast their ballots early starting Monday. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Jacksonville Senior Center, 300 S. Bolton St., in Jacksonville. Polls for the general election on May 9 will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Jacksonville Public Library.

The city of Jacksonville was able to call its election, since there was no opposition to any of the seats up for re-election.

Rusk city, school

In Rusk, residents can vote early on two propositions concerning the sale of alcohol inside the city limits of Rusk.

One proposition calls for allowing the legal sale of beer and wine — for off-premises consumption only — inside the city limits of Rusk; and the other proposition calls for allowing the legal sale of mixed beverages in restaurants in Rusk that hold the licensing to do so.

Rusk municipal ballots also pit incumbent Mayor Angela Raiborn against challengers Gary Epperson and Jefferson Wayne Jackson.

Council members Kris Morgan and Walter Session will retain their seats due to a lack of opposition, and will be listed on the ballots as unopposed.

Rusk residents can vote early between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at Rusk City Hall, 219 S. Main St., Rusk.

Rusk Independent School District has three candidates vying for for two at-large seats on the school board. Incumbents Rodney Hugghins and Britt Patterson will share the ballot with Tracy Session for the right to represent the school district.

Early voting for RISD will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the RISD Administration office, 203 E. Seventh St., Rusk.

The general election for both city and school district will be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 9, at the RISD Administration office.



New S’field council

The city of New Summerfield’s ballot has four candidates seeking three at-large city council seats.

Donna Cameron, Mildred Garrow, Graham Tennison and Don Williams all announced their candidacy at the last-second. Williams, who was appointed in February to the seat formerly held by Don Cooke, is the only incumbent seeking a spot on the council.

Cooke resigned his seat citing health reasons.

Former Mayor Dan Stallings filed for another term, but decided to recant his application and resign from the position in March, citing health reasons.

His last act as mayor was to recommended the council appoint his opponent Jane Barrow to fulfill his term. Council members took Stallings’ recommendation and City Secretary Linsey Nipp administered Barrow’s oath of office during March’s regular council meeting.

New Summerfield citizens can cast their votes early from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through May 5 at New Summerfield City Hall, located on State Highway 110 in New Summerfield.

New Summerfield Independent School District was able to call its election because there was no opposition for any seat up for re-election.