Candidates begin to file for election season
By BARRY HALVORSON bhalvorson@journal-spectator.com

Candidates are starting to sign up for the upcoming election season for cities and school districts located in incorporated areas of Wharton County.

Sign-up for spots on the ballot for the May 10 elections officially started Saturday, but the actual filing locally started on Monday since the respective city halls and school administrative offices were closed for the weekend. Candidates have until March 10 at 5 p.m. to file for a place on the ballot and until March 17 to file as a write-in candidate.

In the city of Wharton, there are four spots open this year, including the office of Mayor currently held by Bryce Kocian. Other offices appearing on the ballot include Council Member District 2 incumbent David Samuelson; District 4 Don Mueller; and At-Large Place 6 Ray Linseisen.

Each of the positions is for a two-year term from May 2008 to May 2010.

City candidates for office need to be citizens of the United States and qualified voters in the City of Wharton and State of Texas. Interested individuals can apply for a spot on the ballot with City Secretary Lisa Stavena at city hall, 120 E. Caney.

The Wharton ISD has three trustee positions on this year's ballot. They are Trustee District 5 incumbent Ronnie Bollom; District 6 Don Erdelt; and District 7 Hazel Hurd.

Under state law, school board trustees serve three-year terms.

Persons interested in running for the Wharton School Board should contact Superintendent's Secretary Linda Lins at the WISD Administrative Office at 2100 N. Fulton.

The ballot in the city of East Bernard will have more than just a listing for candidates. City Secretary Melvin Sands said the city is also holding a special election this year.

"It is to re-authorize the one-quarter cent sales tax the city collects for streets maintenance," he said. "Under Texas law, it has to be re-authorized by the voters every four years so this is actually the first time the city will be voting on it."

The three council positions appearing on the ballot are those of mayor incumbent Buck Boettcher; Alderman Position 2 Toby Hlavinka; and Alderman Position 4 Tommy Vacek. Each is for a two-year term.

As of Thursday, Boettcher was the only person to file for office and will be running for mayor.

Filing for the East Bernard Municipal election can be done at City Hall, 704 Church.

The East Bernard ISD has two positions on the ballot and both incumbents, Position 1 Trustee Roland Orsak and Position 2 Trustee James Vincek, have filed for re-election. Both positions are for three-year terms.

Interested persons can file as a candidate by contacting Superintendent's Secretary Louisa Davis at the district's administrative building, 723 College.

The Boling ISD board election will be held in conjunction with the November General Election.