Published: July 16, 2008 01:41 am      

Fairmont filing period runs until Aug. 6

No one has officially filed for unexpired District 2 council seat

FAIRMONT — A little more than a week into the official filing period for four open Fairmont City Council seats, a total of five people have submitted applications, City Clerk Janet Keller said Tuesday.

“We are trying to get the word out to people that this is the filing period,” Keller explained.

The filing period began July 7 and will officially close at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 6 for open seats in Districts 2, 4, 6 and 7. Thus far, the candidates are Robert S. Sapp in District 2, Bill Burdick and Anthony Stingo in District 4, Dora Grubb in District 6, and Scott Sears in District 7.

Currently, these positions are held by Burdick (District 4), De’Andrea Bussey (District 6), and Mayor Sears (District 7).

The term in the 2nd District was previously held by Burley “Butch” Tennant, but was vacated July 1 following his resignation. Tennant is moving out of the district and will be the Democratic contender running against Republican County Commission President Alan Parks in November.

The city is also accepting applications for Tennant’s unexpired seat, and anyone interested is encouraged to submit a letter of interest to the city clerk by noon on July 21.

Council members have planned an interview process for applicants at 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 22. Members then plan to name and swear in the new representative at the proceeding council meeting at 7 p.m.

Keller said, as of Tuesday, that no one has officially filed for this seat, which will run to Dec. 31. She said that if no one applies before the July 21 deadline, council will likely appoint someone to fill the position before the 30-day timeline runs out on July 31.

According to City Code, council members must appoint a replacement for unexpired terms within 30 days before the city is required to hold a special election, which Keller said council members do not want to do.

The person who is chosen to replace Tennant on council will be filling an expiring term and will be required to file for the seat and run in the general election in November.

Eligible candidates for all positions must live in the specified district and be a registered voter of the city.

According to city maps, District 2 includes Morgantown Avenue, the Suncrest area, Hoult Road, and from Alta Vista Avenue to Morgantown Avenue. Other streets include Kentucky, Delaware and parts of Pittsburgh, Maryland, East Park avenues and Fairfax Street.

District 4 is the entire Bellview area, including Pennsylvania Avenue, Jackson Addition, Ogden Avenue, Chicago Street and Washington Street.

District 6 is on the city’s West Side and includes Virginia Avenue to Hillcrest Road and from Fairmont State University to Field Street. Other streets in this district include View Avenue, College Park, a portion of Locust Avenue, Oliver Avenue and the area from Fifth Street to Seventh Street.

District 7 is also on the West Side and includes FSU to Broadview Avenue, the Fairmont General Hospital area, a portion of Locust Avenue, Peacock Lane, Hillside Drive and the area around Fairmont Senior High School. It also includes parts of Seventh Street to Ninth Street.

Anyone with questions about filing for the open positions is encouraged to call Keller in the city clerk’s office at 366-6211.

E-mail Mallory Panuska at mpanuska@timeswv.com.