City elected offices continued to draw attention last week as aBrookhaven police lieutenant set his sights on becoming chief,according to the latest qualifying records at the City Clerk’sOffice.

Lt. Bateman Stilley, a veteran with over 15 years with thepolice department, was the second qualifier in the race to succeedretiring Chief Fred McKee. Stilley, who was on vacation last week,was unavailable for comment.

Assistant Police Chief Arlustra “Pap” Henderson was the first toqualifyand will face Stilley in the Democratic primary on May5.

Two aldermen races also saw candidates join the hunt.

The Ward 2 Alderman race garnered more interest as Charlie LeeSmith became the fourth candidate to seek the office. Ward 2Alderman so far has the most candidates among the 11 electedoffices to be decided this year.

Other candidates for the Ward 2 post include incumbent TerryBates, Rolanda Spiller and J.D. Watkins.

In Ward 1, Roosevelt Collins became the first challenger toincumbent Dorsey Cameron.

Last week’s qualifying brings the total number of candidates to23. The qualifying deadline is March 2.

Other offices and candidates (all Democrats unless noted)include:

* Mayor: Incumbent W.W. “Bill” Godbold, Alderman-at-large HenryNewman and Roger Ruffin Osborne.

* City Clerk: Incumbent Iris Rudman.

* City Tax Collector: Incumbent Pat Duckworth.

* Alderman-at-large: Les L. Bumgarner and Mrs. Jerry L.Wilson.

* Ward 3 Alderman: Incumbent the Rev. Jerry L. Wilson andClarence B. “Doc” Johnson.

* Ward 4 Alderman: Republicans Boyce Bullock and Gary S.Boutwell.

* Ward 5 Alderman: Incumbent Tom Smith.

* Ward 6 Alderman: Incumbent John E. “Buddy” Allen, Leroy Hewittand Republican Keith Peden.

The city election schedule calls for party primaries to be heldMay 1 and runoffs, where needed, will be May 15. The generalelection is June 5.