Fayette, Metamora: Slates of candidates fall short of necessity

10/19/2005

FAYETTE - Although there are heated races for several elected seats in Fulton County this fall, Fayette and Metamora lack full slates of candidates for the Nov. 8 election.

In Fayette, Jerry Gonzalez, Craig Rower, and E. Paul Shaffer are seeking election to council, but that's only three candidates for four slots.

Council member Don Stiriz is not seeking another term on council, and a replacement is needed for his seat. It will be up to council to select someone to fill the empty chair, said Tom Spiess, Fayette village administrator. If council can't come up with a new council member within 30 days, it would be up to the mayor to fill the slot, he said.

In recent years, you've almost needed a program to keep track of who's who on Fayette council. Of the six council members, three were appointed to fill unexpired terms.

Mr. Gonzalez was appointed to council to fill the term of Scott Wagner who left council to take a part-time position with the village, Mr. Spiess said. Mr. Wagner's term ends this December.

Mr. Rower was appointed to fill the term of Roger Brubaker who retired. Mr. Brubaker had been appointed to council to fill a vacancy created when former council member Doris Price died. Her term ends in 2005.

Councilman Michael Maginn was appointed to fill the term of council member Jim Heath who died. Mr. Heath's term ends in 2007. Council member Ruth Marlatt's term ends in 2007.

Mr. Spiess predicted that there will be several people interested in applying for the term being vacated by Mr. Stiriz.

In Metamora, three are candidates running, but four are seats open.

Incumbents Cheryl Geer, Barbara Woodward Georgia, and Tina Sullivan are running, but incumbent Ronald Gillen did not file to run. Mr. Gillen recently resigned his seat because he has moved out of the village, and council anticipates swearing in a replacement for him in November, said Mayor Gary Loar.

No write-in candidates filed with the Fulton County board of elections for the Nov. 8 election.