City of Shenandoah to cancel special election

The Shenandoah City Council will vote March 22 to cancel this year's special election to fill the unexpired term for Position 2, vacated by Ron Hyde, city secretary Kathie Reyer said.

The election is being canceled because former candidate Kent Altemus, husband of former mayor Becky Altemus, withdrew from the race. Long-time Shenandoah resident John Houston is now slated to fill the Position 2 seat that was left vacant when Hyde resigned from the council in January after accepting a new job as an oil and gas consultant, Reyer said.

The Position 2 race was one of four open seats, and one of two contested races, that was to be filled after the May 10 general election.

Two candidates, Michael McLeod and Josh Wendell, are vying for the Position 5 seat, the election's only contested race.

McLeod is president of the Shenandoah Sharks Swim Team board of directors, Reyer said, and Wendell has a background in home building, oil and gas.

Other unopposed candidates include Garry Watts, who is slated to replace outgoing mayor Wes Stephens, and council Position 1 incumbent Gary Henson, who has served since 2010.

Watts was first appointed to city council in 2005, and served for four years as mayor starting in 2008.

Early voting will be held in the South County Community Building, at 2235 Lake Robbins Drive, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from April 28 through May 3, and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on May 5 and 6.

The general election will be held at the Shenandoah City Hall, at 29955 I-45-N., on May 10 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.