Sylva only town to hold mayor's race

By Rose Hooper

Joan Stearns has filed to run against incumbent Oliver in the town's mayoral race.

Jean Hartbarger, who filed for mayor of Dillsboro, almost faced opposition from Mike Terrell, who filed for the position but withdrew his name at the last minute. Hartbarger is currently a Dillsboro town board member.

Neither incumbent Mayor Steve Gray of Webster or newcomer James S. Davis, filing for mayor of Forest Hills, face competition at this time.

"Write-in candidates are always a possibility; we're well aware of that in Dillsboro," said Hartbarger. Dillsboro Mayor Wade Wilson was elected 26 years ago through the effort of write-in voters.

For council seats in Dillsboro, six candidates have filed to fill five seats. They include incumbents Lela Jean Phillips and James R. Cochran, as well as newcomers Mary Moody-Bumgarner, Lera Chitwood, Bud Smith and Emma Wertenberger.

In Forest Hills where two full-time and one unexpired term need to be filled, Joseph E. Rossano, James Wallace, Clarence Pressley and Richard Iobst have filed.

In Sylva, where there are five seats open, incumbents Eldon Cabe, Maurice Moody, Lynda Sossamon and Audrey Tritt filed. Also filing were Danny Allen, David Gates, Joel Guffey and Eldridge Painter.

In Webster, incumbents Louise Madison Bedford, Billy Jo Bryson, Jean Davenport, Skipp Englebright and Raymond Ledford filed to retain their seats.

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