Contested race emerges for City Council

With candidate qualifying next week for city elections later this year, one race appears to already be forming for Cleveland,  and a Helen incumbent does not plan to seek another term.

Qualifying for those elections is scheduled for Aug. 16-20. Election Day will be Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Cleveland

The Cleveland City Council will have two seats up for election. Those seats are currently held by Kevin Stanley (Ward 3) and Bradley Greene (Ward 4).

The Ward 4 seat is appears to be set for a contested race, with Greene stating he plans to run for another term and CJ McDonald announcing his plans to qualify for the post. (See related story on 6A.)

Despite each representative having an assigned district, all City Council elections are voted on citywide.

The candidate qualifying period will be from Monday, Aug. 16, through Friday, Aug. 20, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., except for Monday, Aug. 16, when it will begin at 8:30 a.m. Those registering as candidates will go to Cleveland City Hall at 85 South Main St. The qualifying fee will be $121.50.

Election Day voting will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 2, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the fellowship hall of First Baptist Church in Cleveland.

Deadline to register to vote in the Cleveland election will be 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 4. To register to vote, contact the White County Board of Elections and Registration at 1241 Helen Highway, Suite 210-A, in Cleveland or call 706-865-7812.

Helen

The Helen City Commission has three at-large seats up for election, which are currently held by Lee Landress, Steve Fowler and Geneva Elwell.

Landress and Fowler have both said they plan to run again, however, Elwell told the White County News she will not be running again and has enjoyed her time on the City Commission.

Helen City Commission seats are at-large posts that are voted on citywide. All candidates will be in the same race, with the three receiving the most votes winning seats.

The qualifying fee is $35, and the qualifying period will be Monday, Aug. 16, through Friday, Aug. 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Those registering as candidates can pick up packets at Helen City Hall during regular business hours during the month of August.

Election Day voting will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 2, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Helen City Hall. Deadline to register to vote in the Helen election is Monday, Oct. 4