XENIA — There could be some hotly contested elections in Greene County in November.
The county board of elections certified petitions during an Aug. 21 meeting and there are several jurisdictions featuring few spots and many candidates.
Xenia voters will elect a mayor and two councl members. One, current council member Sarah Mays, has been certified to run for mayor, and will do so unoppsed. Wes Smith has been certified to run for re-election, and will be challenged by Billie Carrico, Edward Council III, Levi Dean, Dennis Propes, Phillip Shaw, and Eric Winston. A total of two council members will be elected as current member Jeanne Mills did not take out a petition for re-election. When Mays is elected mayor, she will vacate her council spot, but that will be filled by council, not via election.
In Jamestown, eight are running for four council spots. Incumbents certified are Anita Chaney, Jeannie Sargent, and Leslie Cox, while challengers are Joel Armlovich, Jonathan Crosswhite, Brian Gale, Jeffrey Tudor, and Michael Williams.
Yellow Springs will feature two big races: mayor and council. Four were certified to run for mayor including current council member Gerald Simms — whose two-year term expires in December — Pam Conine, Laura Curliss, and Catherine Price. Three council seats are up and six — incumbent Brian Housh, Chrissy Cruz, Lisa Kreeger, Taki Manolakos, Kevin Stokes, and David Turner — were certified.
In Cedarville Township, four are running for two trustee spots: incumbent Kent Campbell, and Chris Reese, Doug Swaim, and Dick Walker.
The same is true in Jefferson Township, where current trustees Richard Zehring and Mark Klingler are seeking re-election along with challengers Steve Brown and Jessica Simmons.
Miami Township also features four running for two spots: incumbents Mark Crockett and Lamar Spracklen and challengers Douglas Bailey and Don Hollister.
Petitions were turned in by the following people but were not certified: Scott Woodburn (Beavercreek City Council); Scott A. Carlson (Bellbrook mayor); Mary Lou Pyles (Bowersville council); Douglas R. Moffitt (Caesarscreek trustee); Kevin Knepp (Fairborn City Council); Mary Beth Minear and Scott W. Parker (Greeneview board of education); Jody F. Rutherford (Spring Valley trustee); Carol R. Igess (Xenia board of education); Thomas R. Scrivens (Xenia City Council); Kelly P. Gray and David Scott Osterholm (Yellow Springs mayor); Shonda Sneed (Yellow Springs council); and Jared Whittaker (Yellow Springs office not indicated).
