Several city council races contested

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March 6, 2013

Several city council races contested

Anonymous Weatherford Democrat The Weatherford Democrat Thu Mar 07, 2013, 10:31 AM CST

By CHRISTIN COYNE

Several Parker County cities have contested city council races after the municipal election filing period ended Friday.

The day of the election is May 11 and early voting will begin April 29. The last day to register to vote for the election is April 11.

Willow Park

Chawn Gilliland, who works as the Aledo ISD police chief, is challenging Place 1 incumbent and recent appointee Brian Thornburg, a staff engineer for Jamak.

Mayor Richard Neverdousky and Place 2 council member Gene Martin refiled for their positions and are unopposed.

Annetta

In Annetta, incumbent Bruce Pinckard is challenged by recently appointed council member Rick Machak for the position of mayor.

Place 3 incumbent Chuck Sheridan drew challenger Joann Jessup.

Mike Brasovan and Kent Stasey are running for Place 5, currently held by Farrar Patterson, who did not refile.

One person, George Ripley, filed for the unexpired Place 4 term, currently held by Machak.

Reno

The Place 4 council position in Reno is contested. Carol Houlihan is challenging incumbent and recent appointee Keith Eric Hunter.

Houlihan, a 26-year city resident who served on the council between 2007 and 2012, resigned May 4 from the Place 4 position. Police said she admitted to forging an estimated 50 health certificates purportedly signed by an Azle veterinarian for dogs she sold out of state over a period of several years.

The issue came to light after one woman claimed Houlihan sold her a dog with multiple problems and the veterinarian determined that he never examined the dog. Houlihan was subsequently arrested and court records show she was given nine months’ deferred adjudication probation in August on the class A misdemeanor charge.

Hunter, a stock broker and three-year resident of Reno, according to his application, was appointed to fill the vacancy.

Annetta South

Mayoral incumbent Gerhard Kleinschmidt and council member Bill Gordon refiled for their positions and are unopposed, leaving one vacancy on the council.