10 people file to run for 3 spots on Grayson Co. School Board. Medical cannabis dispensary question on Nov. ballot

A combined 10 people have filed candidacy papers to run in the First, Second and Fourth Districts for a spot on the Grayson County School Board.

In the First District, incumbent Valeria Hayes along with Amanda Wilson Lewis and Darrell Witten filed to run in the November General Election. In the Second District, incumbent Alfreda Weedman and Jonathan L. Decker, John Glenn and Jacob A. Clark filed candidacy papers. And in the Fourth District, incumbent Carolyn Thomason (who also serves as chair of the school board), Micah Cox and Marcus Whitley have filed to run.

School board elections are staggered, as the Third and Fifth District elections will be held next year.

The school board and teachers are currently at an impasse, as teachers, citing among other aspects the skyrocketing cost of living, are seeking a 10-percent raise (over the next two years), while the board approved a three-percent raise that goes into effect this year.

The dispute has resulted in teachers and contract employees emotionally and at times emphatically voicing their concerns at school board meetings. However, board members, Finance Officer Erin Embry and Superintendent Doug Robinson have expressed that the funds for a 10-percent raise are simply not available.

Leitchfield City Council

Filing to run for the six-seat city council were six candidates, including incumbents Raymond “Tooty” Cottrell, James “Clayton” Miller, William Dallas, and Terri Haycraft. The sitting council members who did not file were Dennis Fentress and Jeanna Carnes.

Non-incumbents who filed to run for a seat on the city council were Tim Bocock and George Hack.

Absent a write-in challenger[s] – the deadline to file intent to run papers as a write-in candidate is October 25 – those six will comprise the new Leitchfield City Council.

Clarkson City Commission

Only incumbent Michael Anderson filed to run for city commissioner, which leaves open three spots on the commission unless write-in candidates file.

Current commissioners Ed Schott, Joyce Bell and Rick Hussel did not file.

Caneyville City Commissioner

The only candidates to file for a spot on the four-seat commission were incumbents David Brown, Deborah L. Embry, Michael Geary, and Scott L. Majors.

Grayson County Circuit Court Clerk

Incumbent and long-time Circuit Court Clerk Stacie Blain was the lone person to file.

Medical cannabis: Yes or no

A question regarding the licensing of a medical cannabis dispensary and “other cannabis businesses” is on the ballot. The measure will read as follows:

“Are you in favor of the sale of medicinal cannabis at a licensed dispensary and the operation of other cannabis businesses in Grayson County? Yes No”

The November General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 5.

By Ken Howlett, News Director

Contact Ken at ken@k105.com