New candidates up for 2014 Signal Town Council election

Though the same five town of Signal Mountain councilmembers have sat for the past four years, the Council might see new members come November.

Residents Chris Howley and Dr. Bob Spalding recently announced their candidacy for the upcoming council election, and both have qualified with the Hamilton County Election Commission.

Howley, who has served on the town's Design Review Commission in the past and is currently on the Recreation Board, said the current council is lacking representation of the "younger family" demographic.

"I think it's important to have representation on the board that reflects family and the schools and the youth leagues, and I'm not sure we've had that sort of ... representation on the board for the last eight years," he said. "I love it up here; I think it's a great town. If I'm lucky enough to get elected, I'd be happy to serve."

Howley is also treasurer of the Signal Mountain Middle/High School Sports Boosters and the SMMHS Theatre Arts Boosters.

Spalding has owned a business on the mountain for the past 17 years and said he was one of the original contributors to Waldens Ridge Emergency Services.

"I want to see the business side of the community better represented on the council," Spalding said. "We have a long history of being entrenched up here. We're going to be approaching our 100-year anniversary as an incorporated town and I'd like to see the town move into the future in a progressive manner."

Incumbents Vice Mayor Susan Robertson and Councilmembers Dick Gee and Annette Allen are all up for re-election this year, though only Robertson has qualified for the race thus far.

Robertson said she decided to run for re-election because she wants to continue the work that's being done with the new Public Works facility and the new fire station as well as the completion of the SMMHS loan payments.

"I just feel that it is really important to see these things come to fruition," she said. "It would bring me a lot of pleasure."

Gee and Allen both said they are still evaluating their decision to enter the 2014 election.

"I'm considering it," said Gee. "I don't think it's intended that you're elected to hold office for extended periods of time. I'm really thinking about and really having to question whether or not it's the right thing to do."

The qualifying deadline for the November 2014 election is Aug. 21 at noon. Check Signal Mountain Weekly for future election coverage.

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