Many open spots as ballot deadline looms July 1

If the candidate filing period closed today, none of Putnam County’s small towns would have a contested election in November.

Fortunately for Putnam County voters, independent candidates still have a week and a half to meet the noon Monday, July 1 deadline to appear on the Nov. 5 municipal ballot.

In the meantime, the ballots in all five incorporated towns are lacking in names, both incumbents and challengers.

In Russellville, no candidates had filed paperwork for the 2019 election as of mid-afternoon Tuesday.

The terms of all four elected officials — Clerk-treasurer Martha Mandleco and at-large councilors Cary McGaughey, Cathy Jones and Jim Davis — are set to expire at the end of 2019.

Cloverdale has also seen no independent filings, though a number of Republicans will appear on the ballot following the May primary.

Representing the GOP on the November ballot will be incumbent Cheryl Galloway for clerk-treasurer, incumbent Gary Bennington for an at-large seat, incumbent Larry Fidler for Council Ward 1 and Rick Dearwester for Ward 2.

The other two Cloverdale Town Council positions were elected in 2018.

Michael Arnold has filed to run for the Roachdale clerk-treasurer position currently occupied by Debbie Sillery, who has not filed paperwork to seek another term.

For the Roachdale Town Council, incumbent Holly Cook and Richard Miles Sr. are seeking two of the three at-large seats.

Cook’s fellow incumbents Zach Bowers and Kevin Cook have not filed to run at this point.

No one has filed to run for Bainbridge clerk-treasurer including incumbent Monica Bray.

On the Bainbridge Town Council, incumbents Jerry Lents and Joel Thompson have filed, while fellow incumbent Scott Curran has not filed.

In Fillmore, Tonya M. Gruenholz has filed to seek the clerk-treasurer position. Jayna Haldeman currently holds the office.

For town council, incumbents Bill Ashcraft and Cyrus “CJ” Huller, as well as one-time councilman Meredith Trusty have filed. Incumbent Robin Duncan has not filed.

Anyone wishing to file for any of these positions may obtain paperwork from the Putnam County Voter Registration Office on the second floor of the courthouse. Completed paperwork must be turned in to the office by noon on Monday, July 1.

For more information, contact Voter Registration Clerk Stacia Hathaway at 655-1538.

Snyder added to city ballot

There is now officially at least one candidate for each elected position in Greencastle.

While a number of uncontested races remain, the addition of Democrat Steve Snyder as a candidate for Fourth Ward council leaves no empty positions on the 2019 municipal ballot.

Snyder’s candidacy had been announced earlier, but the paperwork had not been officially filed.

No Republican has filed in Ward 4. Current GOP office holder Tyler Wade is one of six candidates seeking three at-large council positions.

Greencastle Ballot

Mayor -- Democrat Bill Dory, incumbent; no Republican

Clerk-Treasurer -- Republican Lynda Dunbar, incumbent; no Democrat

First Ward -- Democrat Adam Cohen, incumbent; no Republican

Second Ward -- Republican Stacie Langdon, incumbent; no Democrat

Third Ward -- Republican Haywood Ware, Democrat Veronica Pejril

Fourth Ward -- Democrat Steve Snyder, no Republican

Council at-large -- Republicans Mark Hammer, incumbent, Tyler Wade and Harry Maginity; Democrats Gary Lemon and Dave Murray, incumbents, and Matt Cummings