River Falls ballot changes again
Published 12:05 am Friday, August 17, 2012
The River Falls municipal election ballot has changed again – and includes the removal of longtime council member, Loy Ray Morgan, from the ballot.
Candidates met Monday night at town hall for an organizational meeting after The Star-News reported earlier this month that candidates were qualified to seek offices in the wrong districts and town officials were unable to produce an official election map.
Since then, what is believed to be the official voting map was discovered by town clerk MaryAnn Andrews, who moved candidates to what she believed was the appropriate district.
Mattie Freeney, the incumbent for district 2, place 1 seat, did not face opposition after the change. She, along with mayoral candidate Patricia Gunter, pushed for the meeting among the candidates.
Freeney said Andrews presided over the meeting, and Mayor Mary Hixon was in attendance.
“As the newly appointed clerk, (Andrews) is doing a really good job of trying to what is right,” she said. “It’s in the hands of the voters now.”
Candidates on the ballot are as follows:
• For mayor: Hixon and Patricia Gunter;
• For District 1, place 1: Cleveland Harris Jr. and Willie Howard Jr. Morgan, the incumbent, is not seeking re-election, and attempts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful.
• For District 1, place 2: Leo G. Smith, the incumbent, and James Gary Wages; and
• For District 1, place 3: Hamner Curry and Richard Bowden.
The other remaining candidate, Olene Bean, does not have opposition for the District 2, place 2, seat.
When questioned Thursday, Andrews stated she was unable to make comments to The Star-News.