When I wrote for the Temple Daily Telegram, I covered the Central Texas Stampede, a pro hockey team that played in Belton. Because goals are so seldom in hockey, I would write my game story halfway through the third period and hope nothing else happened.
Gayle Kirby, Highland Park’s deputy town secretary, employed a similar strategy in advance of Monday’s 5 p.m. deadline to file a candidacy for the Town Council. When the council’s 4 p.m. meeting was over, I asked Kirby if she could tell me who was running, but she said she couldn’t discuss it until the deadline had passed. As soon as the clock hit 5, she handed me a piece of paper that bore all of the candidates’ names, addresses, and phone numbers.
Mayor Bill Seay is running unopposed. As for the rest of the council, Bruce “Smokey” Swenson has decided to not seek re-election, despite being eligible for a third two-year term. Council members Andrew Barr, Will Beecherl, Gail Madden, and Larry Nixon have all thrown their hats back in the ring.
Seeking to replace Swenson (and maybe one of the incumbents as well) are Stephen Rogers of the 4400 hundred block of Belclaire Avenue and Sam Tamborello of the 4600 block of Southern Avenue.
Voters will be asked to pick five names from the list of six candidates.
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