Clock winding down for ballot nominations

July 24, 2007

By Hannah Guillaume/Frontiersman

PALMER - Only one candidate has put his name in the hat to be on the Palmer's City Council ballot for the Oct. 2 election.

&#8220I just happened to be the first one out there I guess,” said Jim Wood, a current city council member. &#8220Well, it was gratifying that I could find a sufficient number of people that were going to support my petition for nomination.”

The terms of council member Katherine Vanover and Mayor John Combs are ending.

Both said they intend to apply for the ballot. The deadline for petition nominations is at 5 p.m. Friday. Petitions must contain at least 20 signatures from registered Palmer voters.

Wood said his petition has 26 signatures.

Palmer City Clerk Janette Bower said Wood's candidacy is not yet certified and is posting updates on submissions at www.cityofpalmer.org.

There isn't an advantage for when a petition is filed, Wood said about being the first. He chuckled when he was told that he was the first and only candidate to submit by Monday afternoon.

&#8220This is just the beginning,” he said. &#8220There is a lot of time left for people to try.”

Wood said he canvassed neighborhoods, watched for cars in driveways and went door-to-door to get signatures. He didn't push to get his petition in and thinks council member Vanover and mayor Combs will submit by tomorrow.

The mayor and council members elected in October are scheduled to serve through 2010.

Petitions are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the City Clerk's Office on 231 W. Evergreen Ave. in Palmer.

Contact Hannah Guillaume at 352-2284 or hannahguillaume@yahoo.com.