Filing for positions on the Port Aransas city council and school board begins in less than two weeks, on Valentine’s Day, Monday, Feb. 14.

Both eligible incumbents on the city council say they will seek re-election.

The two school board trustees whose terms are expiring said they will wait until later to decide if they will run again.

No election is scheduled for the board of directors for the Nueces County Water Control and Improvement District No. 4.

Filing for positions will continue on weekdays through March 15.

Prospective candidates for city council may pick up applications for city council from Esther Arzola, city secretary, at city hall, 710 W. Ave. A.

Those wishing to file for school board may pick up applications from Penny Slingerland at the Port Aransas ISD administration office, 100 Station St. Since the school offices will be closed for Spring Break on the final two days of filing, March 14 and 15, candidates for those positions may file at city hall.

City council

Two of three incumbents on the city council whose terms expire in May will seek re-election. The third, Rick Pratt in Place 5, will complete his third term in May. City charter limits city council members to three consecutive two-year terms.

The two incumbents whose terms expire, Keith Donley in Place 1 and Charles Bujan in Place 3, both said they would seek third terms.

School board

Chuck Borders, incumbent in Place 2 and president of the board of trustees, said he would not make a decision about running for re-election until after the board adopts a resolution calling for the election. That should be at the board’s regular meeting on Feb. 10.

Jay Jones, incumbent in Place 3, said, “I’m leaning toward seeking another term, but March is a long way off.”

Statements

Candidates are invited to submit statements to the South Jetty announcing their candidacy. Statements should include the candidate’s qualifications and reasons for seeking office.

One statement per candidate, with a photo, will be accepted, free of charge, through noon Tuesday, March 15, for publication in the March 17 edition. Weekly deadline is noon Tuesday. Statements submitted after noon on March 15 may be published as paid advertising if the candidate chooses.

Candidates may submit photos of themselves or have one taken at the South Jetty office, 141 W. Cotter.

Statements must be typewritten in upper and lower case. Handwritten statements and those written in all capital letters will not be accepted.

Candidates should limit statements to approximately 700 words.

E-mail statements to southjetty@centurytel.net. Candidates without access to e-mail may mail statements to the South Jetty at P.O. Box 1117, Port Aransas, TX 78373, or deliver them to the newspaper office.

Candidates’ Night

The South Jetty will host the 38th annual Candidates’ Night for candidates in contested races only on Thursday, April 28.

Candidates must confirm participation in Candidates’ Night at the time they submit their statements for publication. Candidates who do not submit statements must confirm attendance at Candidates’ Night no later than noon Tuesday, March 15.

Those who do not confirm their participation will not be included in the forum designed to acquaint voters with the candidates’ positions on specific issues.

The forum will be conducted in the city council chamber at city hall beginning at 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend in person or watch it on the local public access television channel.

The forum is not a debate.

Details on the format of Candidates’ Night will be announced at a later date.

Voter registration

Residents who are not registered to vote and want to vote in either of these elections have until April 14 to register. Voter registration cards are available at city hall and the school administration offices.

Voting

The early voting period is May 2 – 10. Election Day is Saturday, May 14.