For those contemplating running for a seat on the Oxford Board of Aldermen, or even the seat of the Mayor, qualification for the 2017 municipal election begins in less than two weeks.

Candidates will be able to file their statement of intent with the city clerk on Jan. 3. Candidates for mayor and the alderman positions have until 5 p.m. March 3 to file. If a primary is needed, it will be held on May 2 with a runoff, if needed, on May 16.  The general election will be on June 6.

Candidates must also pay a $10 filing fee to the city clerk, which will be given to the prospective political party executive committee. Independent candidates must gain 50 signatures from those living in the ward to which the candidate is running for a seat in.

Candidates must be a registered voter in the ward they are running — except the “at large” seat — never been convicted of a crime punishable by a prison sentence or convicted of a felony. Candidates must also file their campaign finance reports periodically.

Aldermen on the ballot

Six aldermen will be elected from the city’s six voting wards and a seventh alderman will be elected at large as a representative for the entire city. Aldermen and the mayor are elected to a four-year term.

Potential candidates may pick up the necessary form at City Hall or by downloading it at the Mississippi Secretary of State web site, www.sos.state.ms.us/elections.

The future mayor will earn an $85,000 salary and aldermen receive $18,500 a year for their service.

Mayor Pat Patterson announced earlier this week that he would not be seeking re-election after service as mayor for eight years and as an alderman for eight years.

“There’s a few health issues there but really, I just think it’s time to move on and do some travelling and get back to my businesses,” Patterson said Tuesday at the Oxford Board of Aldermen meeting.

Patterson was elected in 2009 after then-Mayor Richard Howorth decided not to run for a third term.

Running for Mayor?

Alderman Janice Antonow said she will talk to her family over the holidays as to whether she will run to retain her seat. However, there’s one rumor she said is not true.

“I’ve had a few people say they heard I was running for mayor, and that is absolutely not true,” she said with a chuckle.

Alderman Robyn Tannehill did not address rumors that she’s considering a run for mayor.

“I’m going to wait until after the holiday and give serious consideration whether or not to run for a different office or for the same office,” she said Thursday.

There was no hesitation when Aldermen Ulysses “Couch” Howell was asked if he planned to run as aldermen again.

“I am running,” said Howell, who has been aldermen since 1993. “I’ve had people tell me I need to run again. I want to make sure everyone is represented equally in this town and we have so many projects going on I’d like to see complete. We need experience on that board and I have experience.”

Aldermen at Large John Morgan and Ward 1 Alderman Rick Addy both told the EAGLE Thursday they are planning on running to retain their seats.

Aldermen Preston Taylor and Jason Bailey could not be reached for comment by press time.