By Shawn Stinson
Residents of the Town of Franklin will be heading to the polls to cast their ballots in the upcoming election, but not all seats on the council will be filled.
The election is scheduled for June 14 at the town office. Residents will elect a mayor, recorder and members of the town council. Early voting is set to begin on June 1 in the town office. The current council members will canvas the vote on June 15.
Incumbent Bob Horan is the lone candidate for mayor. In addition, Bruce Minor will seek re-election as recorder.
There are three candidates for five seats on the town council. Incumbents Kristin Dingess, Genevieve Glover and Edwin Wimer are on the ballot seeking to retain their seats. Current council members Laura Brown and Clay Richardson declined to file to run again.
There are no write-in candidates for any of the positions on the ballot. The deadline for write-in candidates was April 26.
Frank Wehrle, town manager, said the new council members will be seated on July 1. He added at that time council members are expected to select two individuals to fill the vacant positions. Wehrle said they will adhere to state code to fill the vacancies.
West Virginia Code §8-5-10 states, “Unless otherwise provided by charter provision or ordinance, when a vacancy shall occur from any cause in any municipal elective office, the vacancy, until the next succeeding regular municipal election and until the qualification of an elected successor, shall be filled by appointment by the governing body from among the residents of the municipality eligible under this article.”