According to McDonald, the city budget and taxes are the most pressing issue facing the council in the next couple of years, a challenge she said can be best met with the help of the voters.

“If the citizens see fit to re-elect me, I'd like to take a random percentage of city residents who voted in the council election and form a think-tank committee,” said McDonald. “I'd like to let that committee to look at where they think taxes can be cut. That way we're letting the citizens who voted stand up and have a say in how this is done.”

Restman, a horse breeder and trainer, and co-owner of J&T Sunset Ranch, said she decided to run for the city council seat because she has a strong desire to volunteer and serve her community.

“I've been looking for somewhere to volunteer in the community, and some recommended that I serve on the city council,” said Restman. “I have a 40-acre ranch that sits in both the city and the county, and I really want to have a say in how this city is run. That's why I decided to run for election.”

According to Assistant City Secretary Tami Davis, there are three seats on the city council up for grabs during the upcoming election.

In addition to District 4, they are District 2, currently held by Manuel Ramirez Jr. and District 6, held by Greg Biddison.

Davis said the deadline to file to run in any of the three city races is March 9. The election, slated for May 9, will be handled by the office of the Howard County election administrator, according to city officials.

“Right now the filings are coming in pretty slow, but that's normal for this point in the process,” said Davis. “They will most likely start picking up as we get closer to the deadline.”

In the city of Stanton, an at-large position on the city council, along with the District 4 seat, will be up for grabs in May. According to officials, the at-large incumbent, Tommy Haislip, and District 4 incumbent, Steven Villa, have filed to run for re-election and are currently unopposed.

The city of Coahoma has three seats — all three are at-large — up for election in May.

Thouse seats are held by David Elmore, Ricky Stone and Mayor Bill Read. According to Coahoma city officials, no one has filed to run in that municipal election at this time.

In the city of Forsan, three at-large positions will be decided in the May election. Incumbents Mary Gressett, Fred Hogan and Marty Whetsel have all indicated they plan to run for re-election. No challengers have filed to run against the trio.

Contact Staff Writer Thomas Jenkins at 263-7331 ext. 232 or by e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it