By Mary Jane Farmer for the Van Alstyne News, Scene In Town
UPDATE, The voting polls (at Grayson College) will be open from 7. a.m. to 7 p.m. on May 7.
Local voters will be urged to return to the polls in April or May to not only decide on the proposed City Charter, but also to select Van Alstyne City Council members for the upcoming term.
Van Alstyne ISD’s Lawanna Merriman said that there will not be an election for the VAISD School Board, as no one filed to challenge the incumbent board members, Place 1 (Kurt Himmelreich) or Place 2, (Beau Williams), and that both incumbents filed to remain on the Board.
There are three seats coming open on the City Council, Places 1, 2, and 3. And three challengers for two of those seats. Confusing? Well, here’s more information.
Place #1 is currently held by Council Member Ryan Neal who is returning to the Council unopposed.
Place #2 is currently held by Council Member Marla Butler, who is being challenged by Ryan Laing, who served on the City Charter Committee, as did Neal, Butler, and Dawsey.
Place #3 is currently held by Council Member Bruce Dawsey, who is running for County Judge and so not also for his seat on the City Council. Asking for the chair are former City Council Member Robert Jaska, and Dusty Williams, President of the Van Alstyne Historical Society.
According to Van Alstyne City Secretary Jennifer Gould, early voting will be at the Grayson College South Campus from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. April 25-29, and from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. May 2-3. May 7 is the final election day and polls will also be open that date from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
A printed copy of the proposed City Charter will be mailed to all registered voters in early April. This Charter, if approved, will change the city from its current General Law status to Home Rule status, add a 6th chair at the City Council table, and provide for several other changes to city government.
So far, no word on any “Meet the Candidates” forums being held.
Anyone wanting to read that proposed Charter in advance can do so Online at the this (Click here) link. https://cityofvanalstyne.us/draft-city-charter-available/
And those early voting dates and times are on the Van Alstyne City Calendar here on SceneInTown.com