ELECTION 2008 A race developed for mayor of Port Aransas on the first day of the filing period, Monday, Feb. 11.

Incumbent Mayor Claude Brown filed, as did Charlie Zahn, an attorney who has served on many city advisory committees and is current chairman of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

Monday was also the first day to file for positions on the city council, school board and water district.

One school board incumbent and all three water board incumbents filed for re-election on Monday.

Filing continues through Monday, March 10.

Early voting will be April 28 through May 6, and Election Day is Saturday, May 10.

CANDIDATES' NIGHT

Candidates' Night, a voter education forum for candidates in contested races sponsored by the South Jetty, is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, April 24.

Candidates are asked to confirm their participation in Candidates' Night no later than Tuesday, March 11, by calling the South Jetty at 749- 5131, or e-mailing editor Mary Judson at southjetty@centurytel.net.

Candidates who have not confirmed their participation in the forum will be considered as not participating, and no provision will be made for their involvement.

STATEMENTS

Candidates are invited to submit statements listing their qualifications and reasons for seeking office to the South Jetty. The statements will be published, with photos of the candidates, at no charge, in each edition of the South Jetty through March 13. Candidates who submit statements after the final deadline may have their statements published at regular advertising rates.

Statements must be submitted before noon each Tuesday through March 11, to be published in the following Thursday's edition. They should be limited to 600 words and must be typewritten in upper and lower case (handwritten statements or those written in all capital letters will not be accepted).

Statements may be e-mailed, with 'Candidate Statement' written in the subject line, to southjetty@centurytel. net, or mailed to P.O. Box 1117, Port Aransas, TX 78373.

Candidates may submit photos of themselves or have a photo taken by prior arrangement at the South Jetty office, 141 W. Cotter St. Photos emailed, to the address mentioned previously, should be attached as jpeg files.

CITY COUNCIL

The mayor followed up on his earlier statement that he "probably will" seek re-election by filing on the first day. Zahn also threw his hat in the ring for the mayor's post, and Place 2 incumbent Keith McMullin made good on his promise to file for re-election on the first day of the filing period.

Bubba Jensen, incumbent in Place 4, is completing his third and final term since the city charter limits council members to three two-year terms.

Place 6 incumbent Mike Hall had not filed by press time.

SCHOOL BOARD

Lorraine Stern, incumbent in Place 3, was the only trustee to file for reelection on Monday.

The other two, Place 2 incumbent Dr. Ken Dunton and Place 4 incumbent Michael Garlough have said they will file, but perhaps for each other's place.

The election in Place 4, held by Garlough, will be for the two years remaining in the term vacated by Bob Smith who resigned.

Dunton has said he will probably run for Place 4 position, which would give him enough time "see through the completion of a few programs that I feel are important to the students."

Garlough said he will probably run for another place on the board.

WATER DISTRICT

All three incumbents on the Nueces County Water Control and Improvement District No. 4 filed on Monday.

Terms are for four years. Incumbents whose names will be on the ballot for the three at-large positions are Russ Miget, Ed Reed and Suzette Freeman.