Early voting numbers slip for elections
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

Early voting numbers are down as Jasper voters seem to be paying little attention to Saturday's election that will fill two seats on the Jasper ISD school board and a council and mayor's seat on Jasper's city council.

District 1 councilman Joe Clyde Adams is running unopposed.

Tommy Boykin, Jasper's city secretary, said numbers are down during the first week of early voting.

As of press time Tuesday, more than 300 early votes have been cast in the election as compared to 692 early voting number in the last city election.

Voting will begin Saturday, May 12 at 7 a.m. and run through 7 p.m.

Voting will take place at Mt. Olive Baptist Church for District 1; Parnell Elementary lobby for District 2; Jasper City Hall for District 3 and Jasper High School for District 4.

On city council, experience will not be a factor in the decision for the mayor's race.

Jasper voters will have to choose between incumbent Mayor David Barber and former Jasper Mayor R.C. Horn for the position.

"I am running for the Mayor's office again because I want to follow through with my pledge to fix long neglected infrastructure prob- -lems in Jasper," Barber said. "Also, to insure accountability in your city government and to make sure the city serves all citizens equally, no matter what neighborhood you live in."

"I am running for mayor of Jasper because I believe our city can do better and I believe we need to make more progress throughout every part of our city," Horn said. "We need to work closer with our county officials and state officials."

In the race for District 2 city council position, incumbent Gayle Meigs will face the challenge of Randy Sayers.

In the race for Jasper's school board positions, four candidates are vying for two open positions on the board.

One incumbent, Carolyn Armitage is seeking re-election to the board along with Kevin Kipp, Melissa Armstrong and Keith Hilderbrand.

"I believe I have the experience and training to be an effective member of the board," said Armitage, who is completing her third year of service on the board. "Having had three children in JISD for a total of twentyfive years, I have had years of experience volunteering in parent organizations, mentoring, and on various school committees, which provided me with a solid foundation for serving on the board. I have a strong desire to be part of the solution and have witnessed the power of involvement and the changes it can make in a child's life."

Kipp, a local businessman, is also seeking election to the school board.

"I believe this is my opportunity to do the right thing," Kipp said. "I believe that everyone has a civic duty, and I am passionate about serving the youth of our community. Serving on the JISD Board of Trustees is a tremendous opportunity to fulfill my civic duty in an area that I care very deeply about."

Melissa Armstrong is also a first-time candidate for office.

"I'm running for school board because this position is key to understanding our children and their families needs," Armstrong said. "The position can facilitate in assisting them to obtain from the school district the resources that will increase the chances of our children being successful. In addition to having two children in the school district, I believe it is important to be involved on as many levels as one can."

Hilderbrand is also seeking election to the board of trustees.

"I'm seeking a position on the Board of Trustees because I am a resident of this school district and have had for sometime a real passion for ensuring the quality of business and the conduct of the business in the district," Hilderbrand said. "More importantly, I'm running for a position because I have two children of my own and I want to do what I can to make their school system the best that it could possibly be."