Published: November 02, 2009 07:16 pm      

Tuesday the day for area candidates

Editor’s note: For candidate profiles or a story on the freeport referendum, search our archives under “search our site.”



Some candidates in Tuesday's local municipal elections said on Monday they planned a little last-minute campaigning, but most said they will rest.

“I believe I am all campaigned out,” said James Caldwell, candidate for Varnell City Council Post 1. “I’ve seen over 500 people in the last couple of weeks. I don’t know what more I can do.”

“Tomorrow (Tuesday) I’ll be teaching and learning with my students as usual,” said schoolteacher Celeste Martin, a candidate for Chatsworth City Council Post 1. “Election Day is all in the hands of the voters (and) I'll be graciously awaiting the results of their votes.”

Eton City Council member Steve Shaw, who is running for re-election to Post 2, said he planned to do a little campaigning Monday night.

“Then we’re gonna hope for the best. It looks good,” he said. “I’ll be at work (Tuesday). That’ll keep my mind off of it because I can’t go around the polls, so I might as well work.”

Varnell Mayor Dan Peeples said he has visited and sent letters to voters over the past several months letting them know what the city has accomplished during the past year since he was elected and letting them know his plans for the next four years. Peeples was elected last year to fill the unexpired term of Lindsey Metcalf, who stepped down.

“Today and tonight (Monday), my wife and my friends and I will be calling people just to remind them that Tuesday is Election Day,” he said.

Several candidates said they worry turnout might be small with no national, state or county races on the ballot.

“I will be out making sure my voters get (to the polls), or checking to see if they have gone by,” said Chatsworth Post 1 candidate Michael Ray. “Other than that, I'll be relaxing.”

Voters in Chatsworth, Cohutta, Eton and Varnell will go to the polls Tuesday to decide several City Council and mayoral races. Voters in Chatsworth will also vote on a “freeport” referendum to exempt some types of inventory from property taxes. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in each city.

Contested races:

• Chatsworth: Incumbent Margaret Adams will face Celeste Martin and Michael Ray for Post 1 on the City Council.

Voters will also cast ballots on the freeport measure that supporters say will help attract and keep businesses in the city.

Voting will take place in City Hall.

• Cohutta: Incumbent Don Henderson faces Wesley Mahan in the race for mayor.

Voting will take place in the Town Hall.

• Eton: Incumbent Steve Shaw faces Donna Hogan in the race for Post 2 on the City Council.

Voting will take place in City Hall.

• Varnell: Incumbent Dan Peeples faces former Varnell chief probation officer Bill Morgan in the race for mayor.

Incumbent Carlus Mosier faces James Caldwell and Laura Hammontree in the race for Post 1 on the City Council.

Brent Newsome and Harveyleen Rollins face each other in the race for Post 2. Susan Hamlin, who currently holds the post, is not seeking re-election.

Voting will take place in the city gym.