A candidate has joined the trio of challengers facing off against current Ava Mayor Leon Harris in the upcoming April 5 local election.
Ava Fire Chief Eddie Maggard filed for mayor Monday morning.
After he filed for the position, he was terminated as fire chief and from his position in the city water department by the city.
A city bylaw prohibits city employees from running for city office.
In a meeting with city officials several weeks prior, Maggard was made aware of the bylaws concerning elections.
Keith Moore is currently serving as interim fire chief.
Other candidates for mayor include Bobby Shebiel, Larry Morrison and Richard “Moose” Allen.
In the City of Ava, voters will be electing a mayor and two aldermen, one from the East Ward and one from the West Ward of the city.
Incumbents Billy Long (West Ward) and Burrely Loftin (East Ward) have both filed for the positions they currently hold, with no other candidates at this time.
In the Ava R-I School District, voters will be electing three board members to serve terms of three years each.
Dr. Dan E. Williams has filed for school board, joining incumbents Jeff Davis and Randy Spurlock.
James Brown has filed for the District #3 position for the Ava Area Ambulance District, while Keith Moore has filed for the District #6 position.
Phillip L. Davis has filed for a term on the Douglas County Health Center Board.
The board is electing one unexpired term of two years and three terms of four years.
Filing for the April elections will be open from Dec. 14 through Jan. 18.
Candidates for school boards will file with the administration office at each respective school. Candidates for city offices will file at Ava City Hall, and candidates for the ambulance or health center board will file with the County Clerk’s office in the Douglas County Courthouse.
