The Huntsville Item, Huntsville, TX

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March 17, 2010

City, school elections set in New Waverly

By Jay Ermis Managing Editor

HUNTSVILLE — Five people have filed as candidates for the New Waverly City Council, while five newcomers have filed for two positions on the New Waverly Independent School District for the May 8 election.

The Huntsville City Council, Huntsville Independent School District and Walker County Hospital District Board of Managers will not hold their 2010 elections until Nov. 2.

Huntsville voters approved an amendment in November 2009 to move the City Council election from May to November and the HISD and hospital district voted to change their elections to November.

The first day to file for the November uniform election is July 25.

The City of New Waverly and the school district will hold a joint election May 8.

Four incumbents holding at large positions on the New Waverly City Council have filed, including Mike Kilgore, Allen Koonce, Nathaniel James and Vince Paulsel.

Cynthia Vance has also filed as a candidate for the council election.

City secretary Rosemary Bartee said Kilgore and Koonce were first elected to two-year terms in 2008 and James has served on the council since 2007.

Paulsel was appointed to the council in 1995 and was elected to his first two-year term in 1996. He has served six terms on the council.

Election clerk Edith Bahner said five newcomers have filed for Positions 6 and 7 on the New Waverly school district ballot.

Charlotte Swor, Mike Seils and Junell Gilliam have filed for Position 6, while Terry Munoz amd Shane Barge have filed for Position 7.

Linda Parrish, who has held Position 6 since 1999, and Jackie Peters, who was appointed to Position 7 in June 2008, did not seek re-election.

In addition, residents in Emergency Services District No. 2 will vote on a proposal to increase the rate of the ad valorem property tax from 3 cents per $100 valuation to 10 cents per $100 valuation.

ESD No. 2 provides funding for the New Waverly Volunteer Fire Department, which provides fire and EMS first responder service out of its New Waverly and Phelps stations.

New Waverly Fire Chief Jacob Slott said ESD No. 2 encompasses an area stretching from the Montgomery County line through New Waverly to Phelps. 

If the proposed increase passes, the ESD plans to build two fire stations in rural areas of the county so that residents can save money on homeowners insurance, according to Slott.

The first day to apply for a ballot by mail was March 9; the last day to register to vote is April 8; the first day of early voting is April 26; the last day to apply for a ballot by mail (received, not postmarked) is April 30; and the last day of early voting is May 4.

Early voting in the two New Waverly elections will be held April 26 through May 4 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the school district’s administration building.

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