The official filing deadline is just around the corner on Jan. 17, but there still are no official candidates for the open Ward 3 seat on the Fulton City Council, and thus far there are no contested races in the other wards.
Ward 3 Councilman John Pautz, who is in the middle of his third two-year term in the council, said he decided not to run because he felt it was time for a new face on the city's governing board.
"I think there was a lot accomplished while I was there, and it's time for somebody else to take their turn," said Pautz, listing infrastructure improvements, work on the city water towers, construction of the new fire station and purchase of a new building for the police station as projects he was proud of being involved in.
To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.