Charles Town municipal elections Thursday

May 27, 2009|By RICHARD F. BELISLE

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. -- Charles Town's 3,152 registered voters get to pick their next mayor and council members Thursday as polls open at 6:30 a.m.

Polls close at 7:30 p.m. at the city's single polling place at City Hall at 101 E. Washington St.

There are two candidates each for the mayor's job and all four council ward seats.

Incumbent Mayor Peggy Smith has been running hard on her record to keep her job for another four years against a challenge from Robin Huyett Thomas, who is making her first run at elected office.

Thomas has said in campaign literature the city needs a mayor with more creative thinking and planning.

Ward 1

Incumbent Councilwoman Sandra Slusher McDonald is hoping to keep her seat against a challenge from Nancy Shaffer.

Ward 2

Incumbent Councilwoman Amy Schmitt is stepping down from the council, leaving her seat wide open. Two people are running for Schmitt's seat -- Wayne Clark and Chet Hines.

Donna Victoria Frye filed her candidacy for the Ward 2 seat, but pulled out of the race too late to have her name removed from Thursday's ballot.

Ward 3

Longtime incumbent Donald Clendening is facing a challenge from Larry Vogler.

Ward 4

Incumbent Geraldine Willingham wants to serve another four years and hopes to win against her challenger, Rich Bringewatt.

The four incumbent council members whose terms do not end this year are Michael Slover, Ann Paonessa, Marylois Gannon-Miller and Ruth McDaniel.

City Clerk Joe Cosentini said city elections usually don't bring out a large number of voters. In the last election, only 523 voters cast ballots.

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