Filing for Green Forest mayor's race begins Thursday

GREEN FOREST -- Anyone wishing to run for mayor can file beginning at noon on Thursday, Nov. 12, at the county clerk's office in Berryville.

The filing period will remain open until noon on Wednesday, Dec. 2, and a special election will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 9.

The special election will elect a mayor to serve the remaining portion of the term to which Richard Deweese was elected in 2006. That term will expire at the end of 2010.

Deweese resigned in mid-October. He has relocated to Oklahoma City, to work as an aircraft mechanic.

A candidate will have to be a qualified elector of the city. Candidates will need at least 30 signatures of other qualified electors, and those names will be verified at the county clerk's office. There is no filing fee.

Candidates will also have to fill out some other forms, including a political practice pledge, an affidavit of eligibility, and a statement of financial interest.

The affidavit of eligibility simply states that the candidate is an elector of the city. The statement of financial interest discloses his source of income, and that of his spouse.

The Political Practice Pledge, which among other things certifies that the candidate has not been convicted of a felony, also lists the way the candidate wishes his name to appear on the ballot.

Each prospective candidate will also receive a detailed handbook called "Running for Public Office," prepared through the State Board of Election Commissions, in conjunction with the Secretary of State and the State Ethics Commission.