by Dennis Sharkey
Landmark reporter
The deadline for candidate filings for municipal and school board posts is approaching with little interest thus far in some areas.
The deadline for filing is next Tuesday Jan. 19.
With the deadline now less than a week away, there are still three spots on the Platte City Board of Aldermen that as of Wednesday morning had no candidates.
Two of the seats are being kept warm by former aldermen completing the terms of two aldermen who resigned recently.
John Higgins replaced Aaron Jung in November and Charles Cook was approved Tuesday night by the board to serve the remaining months of the term of former alderman Marsha Clark, who resigned in December.
Both Higgins and Cook have told Mayor Frank Offutt, who thus far has no announced opposition for his reelection, that they did not intend to run for the position. However, after Tuesday night's meeting Cook told Offutt that he may consider running.
Debbie Kirkpatrick, incumbent in the third ward, has not filed for re-election nor has anyone else filed for the seat. Kirkpatrick told The Landmark Tuesday night that she intends on filing for re-election.
Offutt said Tuesday night that he is not worried about a lack of candidates and feels confident that someone will emerge by next Tuesday.
Parkville is likely to see no change. Every incumbent on the board of aldermen has filed for re-election with no opposition as of yet. Likewise for current Mayor Gerry Richardson.
In Riverside, Mayor Kathy Rose is being challenged by Alderman Mike Fuller. Incumbent aldermen David Hurt and Bernie Bruns have both filed and are running unopposed to date. Incumbent Ron Super is being challenged by Deana Winter.
The city of Weston has two board positions to fill with only incumbent Amiah McCaulley filing thus far. Incumbent Cliff Harvey has not yet indicated if he intends to file.
The North Platte Board of Education will have two new faces if either LeAnn Jones or Kevin Cook chooses not to file for re-election. Jon McLaughlin, John Mann and Eric Meadows have filed for the two open seats.
There have been no recent changes for the two open seats on the Platte County R-3 Board. Incumbent Mary Temperelli has filed for re-election. Board President Bob Shaw has already announced he will not seek re-election. At this point, Temperelli will be on the ballot along with Alan Williams and Adam McGinness.
Park Hill will have two seats open. Incumbent Ron Schieber has announced he will not seek re-election, instead making a run at the Missouri House of Representatives. The other incumbent, Laurie Burgess, has not yet filed. Those already filing include Valerie McCaw, Chris Sams, Donald E. Cole M.D., Boon Lee, Susan Newburger and Todd Fane. |
