Although voters may still be exhausted following the November 2016 election, it’s important to look forward to the upcoming May 6 election and the candidates who have filed applications to represent local residents and the issues that impact their daily lives.
The filing period began on Wednesday, Jan. 18, which was the first day to file an application for a place on the May 6, 2017 General Election ballot. The last day to file for a place on the ballot is Friday, February 17. The last day to file as a write-in candidate is Feb. 21.
Here is a look at the open seats this May in southern Denton County:
Argyle
This year, two citizens will be elected to each serve a two-year term as a Councilmember for Places 2 and 4. The incumbents for these positions are Kay Teer and Jay Haynes, respectively. Additionally, up for election is the position of Mayor, currently held by Peggy Krueger.
The council places are “at-large” and represent the entire community. The terms of office will be from May 2017 to May 2019.
Argyle residents interested in filing an application for a place on the ballot can request an electronic candidate packet by emailing the Town Secretary at: [email protected], or by visiting Argyle Town Hall, 308 E. Denton St., between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additional information can be found on the Town’s website or 940-464-7273.
Bartonville
The 2017 Bartonville Town Council general election is for council member Place 1, Place 3 and Place 5, each for a term of two years.
Those seats are currently held by: Place 1, Jeff Traylor; Place 3, Clay Sams; and, Place 5, Jim Langford.
Incumbents Traylor and Sams have filed for re-election, while Josh Phillips has filed for Place 5.
Members are elected “at-large,” each representing the entire community and serve two-year terms.
All candidates for office must be a resident of Bartonville for six-months prior to the filing deadline; must be a registered voter at the time of the election (but, not required at the time of filing); and, be a minimum of 18-years of age.
Applications may be filed at Town Hall, 1941 E. Jeter Rd. in Bartonville. Town Hall office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., however, there may be certain dates during the election period (refer to the town calendar) when the office will be open until 5 p.m.
For more information contact Town Secretary Tammy Dixon, at: 817-693-5280, or [email protected].
Copper Canyon
Three two-year council terms are up for election and all three current council members have filed applications to keep their seats: Mayor Sue Tejml, Mayor Pro-Tem Jeff Mangum and council member Dave Svatik.
For more information, either visit Town Hall at 400 Woodland Dr., in Copper Canyon, or contact [email protected], or call 940-241-2677.
Double Oak
In May, the mayor’s position and two council seats will be up for election.
Mike Donnelly is the current mayor—who announced his intention to run for re-election on Jan. 15– and the council seats are currently held by Dr. Ara Minassian and Steve Durbin, both of whom have indicated they also intend to seek re-election.
Go to the town website www.double-oak.com for more information how to file or contact Town Hall at 972-539-9464. Anyone interested in running for these seats or who may have questions may visit with Town Secretary Charlotte Allen.
Flower Mound
The Flower Mound Town Charter was amended by the voters on November 8, 2016, resulting in a change from two-year to three-year terms, which includes a seven-year transition plan. For the May Election, Places 1 and 3 will carry a two-year term and Place 5 will be for a three-year term.
Current council members in those places are: Jason Webb, Place 1; Kevin Bryant, Place 3; and, Itamar Gelbman, Place 5. Webb, Bryant and Gelbman have filed applications for re-election.
Challengers so far include Planning & Zoning Commissioner Sandeep Sharma in Place 3 and P&Z Chairman Claudio Forest in Place 5.
Flower Mound Town Council Members are elected “at-large,” each representing the entire community.
Qualifications to serve on the Town Council are: be 21-years of age or older on the first day of the term to be filled; have been a resident of the town for at least one-year prior to the election date; and, hold no other public office, except that of Notary Public or a member of the National Guard, military reserve, or Coast Guard reserve.
Application packets are available from the Town Secretary’s Office, located in Town Hall, 2121 Cross Timbers Rd. For more information, call 972.874.6076 or email: [email protected].
Highland Village
The City of Highland Village will elect officials for three City Council members to Place 3, Place 5 and Place 7 to serve two year terms.
Current council members are: Mike Lombardo, Place 3; Fred Busche, Place 5; and, William Meek, Place 7. To date, none of the current council members have filed an application.
Dan Jaworski has filed an application for the Place 7 seat being vacated by Meek.
Highland Village is a Home Rule City and operates under a council-manager form of government. All members of Council are elected at-large, under a place system, and serve two-year terms: council members in Places 3, 5, and 7 are elected in odd-numbered years. No person shall serve for more than four consecutive terms on the Council, regardless of place. A term shall mean a period of time for which a Council member is elected to office, regardless of the number of days served. No person shall serve his/her full complement of successive terms more than twice during his/her lifetime.
Additional information and candidate packets are available at the Municipal Complex, 1000 Highland Village Rd., or by visiting: www.highlandvillage.org.
Argyle ISD
Three at-large seats are open on the district School Board. Those seats are currently held by John Bitter, Craig Hawkesworth and Steven Moore. Each board member serves a three-year term.
Those interested in a candidate packet should visit the AISD Administration Building, 800 Eagle Drive in Argyle. Questions may be directed to the Superintendent’s office at 940-464-7241.
Denton ISD
The Denton ISD Board will have two seats up for election on May 6, Places 6 and 7. Incumbents Jim Alexander and Dorothy Martinez have both filed applications for re-election. To date, no opponents have filed. Each seat has a three-year term.
Those interested in filing as a candidate or for further election information should contact Denton ISD at 1307 N. Locust St. in Denton, visit: www.dentonisd.org, or call 940-369-000.
Lewisville ISD
The Board of Trustees consists of seven members elected to serve for overlapping terms of three years each. While candidates run for specific places, they do not represent specific geographical areas; rather, each represents Lewisville ISD at large.
This May, Places 6 and 7 will be on the ballot. Current board members are: Place 6, Kristi Hassett, and Tracy Scott Miller, who served as vice president. Both have announced their intention to run for re-election.
Those interested in the school board may contact Jeanne Arnold in the Superintendent’s office, 155 W. Main Street in Lewisville, at 469-948-8022, or visit: [email protected] or www.lisd.net.
Voting
All elections in Denton County are overseen by the Denton County Elections Administration, 701 Kimberly Dr., Suite A101 in Denton. Questions about early voting via mail (absentee) or in-person, specific voter identification information or restrictions are available at: [email protected] or by phone at 940-349-3200.
Residents who are not yet registered to vote, must register by April 6; and, the last day to request an absentee ballot is April 25—received in the office, not postmarked.
All voters are required to present an approved form of photo identification; visit: www.votetexas.gov for specifics. Examples of acceptable forms of ID include: driver’s license; election ID certificate; DPS Texas personal ID card; concealed/open-carry handgun license; U.S. Military ID card; U.S. citizenship certificate; or U.S. Passport. All forms of ID may not have expired over 60-days.
Most answers to questions about upcoming elections can be found at: www.votedenton.com.
