Want to Run for Mayor?

While the country focuses attention on candidates in the upcoming 2012 presidential election, local races for mayor and city council began Monday in three Oconee County communities.

Candidate qualifying for the Nov. 8 municipal election runs today through Wednesday in  and . In Bogart, the qualifying period ends Friday.

In Bogart, seats held by Mayor Terri Glenn and City Council members Ralph Sheridan and TL Turman are up for grabs. Interested candidates will need to complete and turn in a notice of candidacy at Bogart City Hall, 125 Main Street in Bogart. Qualifying fees for Mayor are $252 and fees for city council are $108.

In Watkinsville, from his post to spend more time with family, he said. So far only one candidate, former Watkinsville City Council Member .

Watkinsville city council seats held by Brian Brodrick, Post 1, and Henry Norman, Post, 2, are also up this year.

Interested Watkinsville candidates will need to complete a notice of candidacy at Watkinsville City Hall, 191 VFW Drive, and pay $216 to apply to run for Mayor, or $72 for city council.

In North High Shoals, Mayor Kim Kraeling announced plans to step down from her seat this year, according to City Clerk Carolyn Pritchet. North High Shoals council seats held by incumbents Jason Wisniewski, Post 1, and Steve Holzman, Post 2, who both qualified today, are also open. 

Interested North High Shoals candidates will need to complete a notice of candidacy at North High Shoals Town Hall, 108 Jefferson Road. Qualifying fees for mayor and city council members are $25.

To be eligible to run for office in each city, candidates must be 21 years old or older, have resided in the city they plan to run in for at least one year, be registered to vote and can not have a felony or have been convicted of election fraud, moral turpitude or malfeasance.

Bishop is the only other remaining town in the county with a mayor and council government structure, but won't hold an election until next year.