Connie Massey Qualifies for Vacant Watkinsville Council Seat

It's too early to tell whether there will be a special election in Watkinsville this November, but one thing's for sure: there will be another new council member.

According to City Clerk Julie Sanders, certified picture framer Connie Massey qualified Monday to run for Post 2, which was vacated by Henry Norman last week.

Norman's final council meeting was September 12.  He resigned mid-term because he planned to move 200 yards outside of the city limits, The Oconee Enterprise reported last week.

Norman was appointed in August 2009_ to serve out the unexpired term of John Walsh and ran unopposed in Nov. 2010 for a two-year term that will expire Dec. 31, 2013.

Qualifying for the special election is taking place through 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall. The qualifying fee is three percent of salary.

Candidates wishing to qualify must be at least 21 years of age and have proof of residency in the City for one year prior to the election. Candidates must be qualified voters of the City, registered to vote a minimum of 30 days prior the election. Candidates should have never been convicted of election fraud, a felony, a crime involving moral turpitude or malfeasance in office.

If more than one candidate qualifies, a special election will be held on Nov. 6. Otherwise, it won't be needed.

At the end of August, Mike Huff was the lone candidate to qualify for Post 4, Samantha Purcell's seat.  Mike Link (Post 5 - mayor pro tempore) and Toby Smith (Post 3) also qualified for re-election and were unopposed, so the general election was cancelled.

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