By Susan Redden
sredden@joplinglobe.com
Another potential candidate has entered the race and three candidates have been certified to run for Joplin City Council.
Jonathan Kelly Maddy, 26, 2010 Kentucky Ave., has picked up petitions to run for a general seat on the council, according to Barbara Hogelin, city clerk.
Maddy’s entry brings to nine the number of potential council contenders. If all those circulating petitions thus far are certified, there will be seven candidates seeking the three general council seats to be decided. There is no opposition, at this point, for the two zone council seats to be filled.
Three candidates have been approved for a place on the April 6 election ballot after nominating petitions they submitted were certified as complete.
The first general council candidates eligible to run are incumbent Mike Woolston, who is mayor pro tem, and Jack Golden, a former longtime city department head. Petitions submitted by Mayor Gary Shaw also have been certified, permitting him to run for re-election from Zone 1.
Nominating petitions also are being circulated for Phil Stinnett, a council incumbent; Trisha Raney, Bob Gulden and Erik Wright, all to run for general council posts; and Michael Seibert, for a Zone 4 post. Seibert is an incumbent, after being appointed to fill the unexpired term in Zone 4.
The April election will decide fill five positions on the nine-member council. The only council incumbent who has not yet picked up nominating petitions is Jim West, a general councilman. West, who also has expressed interest in seeking a state legislative post, said he will announce his plans next week.
Nominating petitions may be obtained from Hogelin’s office at City Hall, 602 S. Main St. Petitions must be filed with the city clerk by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19.
Petition rules
City rules require that petitions signed by 150 registered voters be submitted as part of the candidate-qualification procedure.
