Qualifying for Watkinsville Elections to Begin on Monday, Aug. 27

Candidates wishing to qualify to run for Council Posts 3, 4 or 5 may qualify at City Hall in Watkinsville on Monday, Aug. 27 through Wednesday, Aug. 29 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. The qualifying fee is three percent of salary, which is $90 for post 5 and $72 for posts 3 and 4.

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 elected, candidates will serve a two-year term commencing on Jan. 1, 2013. Candidates seeking election must designate which post they are seeking. Council Post 3 is currently held by Toby Smith, Council Post 4 is held by Samantha Purcell and Council Post 5 (Mayor pro-tempore) is held by Mike Link.

According to The Oconee Enterprise, Councilwoman Purcell has announced that she will not be running for re-election. In the article Purcell stated, "It is time to pass the torch on to someone else who wants to do a good job. Plus I needed to take something off my plate. I am going to pursue another specialist degree." She told the newspaper she plans to seek a specialist degree in leadership in education. Office manager for Northeast Georgia Gutter and Garage Mike Huff has already announced he will run for Purcell's vacant seat, the newspaper reported.