Tyler

By JACQUE HILBURN-SIMMONS

Staff Writer

Candidates seeking the office of Tyler mayor or one of three places available on the city council can file for office at Tyler City Hall, officials said Monday.

Filing applications will be accepted until March 5; elections are set for May 12.

Positions for mayor and Tyler City Council representatives for Districts 2, 4 and 6 seats are available.

“Filing began Feb. 4, but this was the first business day,” City Attorney Gary Landers said Monday, noting candidates must be registered voters.

Any qualified Tyler resident may run for mayor, but people seeking a seat on the city council must live within the area they wish to represent.

“They must also be current on their taxes and fees owed to the city,” Landers said.

Those interested in filing for city elections may submit their application during business hours at the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, 212 N. Bonner Ave, officials said.

Additional information on rules, restrictions and financial reporting also is available through the city clerk, officials said.

As of Monday, officials reported two candidate applications had been filed.

Mayor Barbara Bass, 58, a certified public accountant, filed to seek reelection, city records show.

She first was elected to office in May 2008 and works as a partner with the certified public accounting company, Gollob Morgan Peddy & Co. P.C.

Sarah Coats, 59, a retired computer software developer, filed an application seeking the District 2 seat on the Tyler City Council.

The District 2 seat is held by outgoing Councilman Donald Sanders, who was elected in 2006 and cannot run again due to term limits.

Ms. Coats runs a nonprofit ministry, “Brighten My Corner.”

Tyler minister Darryl B. Bowdre, 54, and the Rev. Charles Burns, 45, announced in December they also plan to seek election to Sanders’ position.
Bowdre, 54, leads South Central Church of Christ.

Burns serves as pastor of New Zion No. 1 Baptist Church.
District 2 encompasses the west side of the city.

Incumbents Martin Heines, representing District 4 and Jason Wright, for District 6, have made no public announcements about their intentions to seek reelection.

District 4 includes the northeast section of the city; District 6 includes the south end.
Uncontested races can be canceled to save taxpayer dollars, officials said.

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