By Robert Barron Staff Writer
Four Enid city commission seats will be up for grabs in 2007, and two incumbents may be running for re-election.
Wards 1, 2, 5 and mayor will be open this year. Mayor Ernie Currier has said he will not run for re-election.
“I made the decision quite a ways back, and I don’t foresee anything that would change my mind,” Currier said. “I’ve enjoyed being there, still do, but after six years at city hall I’m ready for someone else to jump in.”
The filing period opens at 8 a.m. Monday and continues through 5 p.m. Dec. 6. The election will be Feb. 13, with a runoff April 3, if necessary.
Currier became mayor in May 2004 after Mayor Irv Honigsberg died while in office. Currier had been Ward 6 commissioner for three years prior to becoming mayor.
John Criner is the only announced candidate for mayor. The former manager of Enid Woolco and Hobby Lobby stores announced his intentions earlier this month.
Ward 1 Commissioner Ron Johnston was elected in 2005 to the unexpired term of Jerry Erwin, who resigned to become city manager. Jeff Woolsey had been appointed to the post, but Johnston won the election in March 2005.
Johnston said he can legally serve two full terms on the commission.
“It’s been fulfilling. I’ve seen some changes, both in services and programs that I felt could have been handled differently,” he said. “But, I plan to be around city hall for a while.”
Ward 2 Commissioner Don Rose said he is undecided but is leaning toward running again.
Ward 5 Commissioner John Hodgden said he plans to run for re-election.
“I plan to at this point, but I have to talk to my wife first,” he said.
Hodgden said he has enjoyed his tenure on the commission and it has been interesting. He hopes the city will start on a new course with the selection of Eric Benson as city manager.
Ward 3 Commissioner Larry Dillon, Ward 4 Commissioner Loyd Kaufman and Ward 6 Commissioner Todd Ging are in the middle of their terms and are not up for election.
