Ballots set for Nov. 7 municipal elections

While not necessarily a full slate, Greencastle city voters will have plenty of choices come Nov. 7.

Meanwhile a lack of incumbents ensures some degree of new leadership in the smaller towns of Putnam County.

The filing deadline came and went at noon on Friday.

The most crowded race in the City of Greencastle will be for council at-large, with seven candidates vying for three spots.

Joining Republican incumbents Mark Hammer and Darrel Thomas in the race are fellow Republican Katherine Asbell; Democrats Kim Fidler, former Councilman Gary Lemon and Thom Morris; and independent Derek Jorgensen.

Two other recent city filings include Democrat Russell Harvey seeking his first full term to the First Ward seat to which he was appointed earlier this year, where he will face off with another one-time councilman in Republican David Masten.

The Republicans also added Tina Nicholson to the ballot for the Third Ward seat, where she will face incumbent Democrat Veronica Pejril.

There was no change in the four other city races, with the Republican Lynda Dunbar and Democrat Brian Cox vying for mayor, Democrat Vincent Aguirre challenging Republican Cody Eckert for the Fourth Ward seat, and two unopposed Republicans — Mikayla Johnson for clerk-treasurer and Stacie Langdon for council Second Ward.

In the Town of Bainbridge, where all candidates are running as independents, current Clerk-Treasurer Bobbi Boller has a challenge from Pamela Kashman.

Meanwhile, the slate for the three at-large council positions features some familiar names, but none of them are currently on the council — Rodney Fenwick, Douglas Lairmore, Jerry Lents and Joel Thompson.

Further north in Roachdale, perhaps the most notable “race” is one with no filing, as no one is running for clerk-treasurer, with incumbent Debbie Sillery not seeking another term. The town council will also see some turnover, with only Katrina Asher seeking another term among the three current members.

The five-way race for three at-large council seats features Asher, former member Zach Bowers, Kyle Crooks, Mark Ketchem and Paul Wireman.

In Fillmore, current Clerk-Treasurer Andi Schardt has a challenge from Pearl Taylor for the position. The town council, meanwhile, is already set, with Jeff Haltom set to join incumbents Jerry Huff and Meridith Trusty.

The slate for Cloverdale features incumbents in each position — only one of them in a contested race. Independent incumbent Scott Stierwalt has a challenge from Republican Scott Wahl for an at-large position on the council.

Meanwhile three Republican incumbents — Clerk-Treasurer Kelly Maners, Ward 1 Councilman Larry Fidler and Ward 2 Councilman Brice Howell — are unopposed.

The two remaining Cloverdale council positions are not on this year’s ballot.

Additionally, Russellville no longer elects any of its positions during the normal municipal election years, instead staggering the clerk-treasurer and three council positions between the two even-numbered cycles that also feature county, state and federal candidates.