The 2006 November 7 election is far different from that of the Clarkston city council in 2004 when five people ran for three seats.
This time, the city council has three seats open with one person running for re-election, and Councilman Scott Meyland not seeking to run. Councilwoman Kristy Ottman and Mayor Sharon Catallo are both seeking re-election.
Catallo has overseen the village prior to the formation of the city in 1992, dating back to 1986. Her opponent in the race is Councilman Steve Wylie.
Ottman is running for her second term and hopes to keep the city’s relationship with Independence Township in tact.
‘I didn’t think of not running’I knew my term was coming up and there were still things coming up,? Ottman said. ‘We’re trying to share resources and create as much fluidness between entities (the city and township).?
Currently, the City of Clarkston is looking for qualified write-in candidates for the remaining two spots.
If there are no other candidates, which City Manager Art Pappas said has happened in the past, the council will appoint members based on recommendations.
Appointed council members would serve for one year and be subject to re-election.
Terms for council last for two years. This year’s crop would serve terms one-year separated from the rest of the members.
Potential write-ins must submit paperwork to the city by Nov. 3. Pappas said the paperwork helps cut down on the prank names that notoriously plague write-in ballot spots.
‘It used to be people would write in these goofy names and you had to pay attention,? Pappas said.
He said even if a name were written for a joke, it would have to be recorded in the poll book.
With this system, only write-in candidates registered with the city will be considered.