School board members and Ava city aldermen will be elected at next Tuesday’s annual municipal and school elections, but the big question this year is, who will be Ava’s next mayor?
Ava Mayor Leon Harris, seeking a fifth term, is opposed by four challengers: Larry Morrison, Richard “Moose” Allen, Bobby Shebiel and Eddie Maggard.
In other city races, East Ward Alderman Burrely Loftin is being challenged by Phillip Davis; and West Ward Alderman Billy Long is opposed by Brenda Dammann.
Each of the city positions, including mayor, is for a 2-year term.
Five candidates are also seeking election to three regular 3-year terms on the Ava R-1 School Board.
Seeking re-election are Randy Spurlock and Jeff Davis. They are challenged by Mandi Carr, Ron Wallace, and Marsha Aborn.
Incumbent board member Bill Philpott is not seeking re-election.
At Skyline R-2 School District there are also five candidates for three regular board positions.
Candidates there are Travis Shearer, Tim Scrivner, Patricia Blasius, Butch Linder and Wroy Roworth.
Shearer, Scrivner and Roworth are incumbents seeking re-election.
Five seems to be the common number this year as there are also five candidates for three board positions at Plainview R-8 School District.
Those candidates include Mandy Lehmann, Larry Tidwell, Robert Loeber, Bob Nagel, and Amanda LeVelle.
Lehmann and Tidwell currently serve on the board.
Residents of the Willow Springs R-4 School District living in Douglas County will vote at the Eastern Douglas County Community Building. Again, five candidates are seeking election to three regular 3-year terms on the Willow Springs School Board.
Those candidates include Jim Combs, Dan Sherbo, Ariane Brooks, Larry Rothermich and Gene Corman.
The Southern Webster County Fire Protection District will elect one person to a 6-year term on its board. However, no candidate is on the ballot and the position will be filled by write-in.
Southern Webster County Fire Protection District includes a section of northwest Douglas County that residents voted into the district a few years ago.
Polls for Tuesday’s election will open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
Residents of the Ava R-1 School District, including residents of the East Ward of Ava, will vote at the Ava Community Center. Residents of the West Ward of Ava will vote at the Douglas County Public Library.
Residents of the Skyline and Plainview school districts will vote at their respective schools.
A list of all polling places for Douglas County residents can be found with a copy of the sample ballots in this newspaper.
Local election results will be posted on the Douglas County Herald website (www.douglas countyherald.com) as soon as they are available Tuesday night.
