Seven candidates sign up for town elections

Published 6:00 am Monday, January 24, 2005

The field for Wesson’s municipal elections is taking shape withfour incumbents and three challengers lined up to compete for mayorand five aldermen posts.

Mayor Alton Shaw and Aldermen John Welter, Ward Two; Lura Greer,Ward Three; and Hollis Cowen Jr., Ward Four, all have qualified toseek re-election, City Clerk Linda Dykes said.

Ward One Alderman Robert Derrick and Alderman at large DavidDouglas have not qualified, she said.

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Shaw, Welter and Greer are unchallenged, but candidates haveuntil March 4 to qualify for the June 7 municipal elections.

Cowen is being challenged by Rhonello “R.G.” Dube and BobbyBritt, Dykes said.

Van Graham has qualified to run for the alderman-at-large post,she said.

Shaw is seeking his first full term as mayor. He won a specialelection in June 2003 to fulfill the term of former Mayor BillTigner, who resigned early because of work conflicts.

Dykes encouraged residents to participate in the elections.

“Anyone who wants to register to vote can do so here at cityhall,” she said. “Anyone who has moved, even within the city, needsto re-register so their address is up to date.”

Wesson holds nonpartisan elections. To qualify for ward offices,candidates need 15 signatures from registered voters. Fiftysignatures are required to qualify for mayor and alderman atlarge.

Absentee voting will begin April 25 and end at noon on June4.