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2006 Guide
 to Municipal Elections

The 2006 guide to municipal elections is designed to inform you, the voter, of the candidates running for office in the May 2, 2006 General Election.  Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.  We encourage you to let your voice be heard by voting for the candidates of your choice.

A total of 42 candidates are on the May 2 ballot with a large number of candidates running in the four largest towns. In the smaller towns, write-in candidates will be selected to fill vacant seats.

Town of Gate City
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Jake McMurray

Office Sought: Weber City Town Council

Personal information: McMurray is seeking his first term on the council and hopes to join his father, Ronnie, who is also running for a seat on the board. McMurray graduated from Gate City High School in 1996 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from the University of Mississippi in 2001. He is married to Perla McMurray. He currently is employed as a teacher in the Scott County School System.

Ronnie McMurray

Office Sought: Weber City Town Council

Personal information: McMurray was appointed to fill an unexpired position on the council and is seeking his first elected position. He is married to Teddi McMurray and they are the parents of three sons. He is a 1969 graduate of Gate City High School and attended Mountain Empire Community College. McMurray is retired from Eastman Chemical Company where he worked for 28 years. He also worked for 20 years in residential construction and has worked 15 years in rental property management. He is 56 years old.

Claude C. Osborne

Office Sought: Weber City Town Council

Personal information: The 72-year-old Osborne is seeking his first term on the council. He is a veteran of the armed forces and served during the Korean War. He is a retired welder and had three grown children. He has lived in Weber City for four years and says as a relative newcomer he is aware of some changes that need to happen to enable the town to grow. He is interested in encouraging new businesses to bring new jobs, promote tax revenue and encourage young people to stay locally. He suggests a boundary extension to make room for new businesses.

Mary Lou Roberts

Office Sought: Weber City Town Council

Personal information: Roberts was appointed about nine months to fill an unexpired term on the council and she is seeking another term. She has one grown son. She earned her high school equivalency in 1980. She was employed in a dental office for 21 years and the Scott County School System for 13 years, where she retired from. She is a member of the Holston View United Methodist Church, the Gate City Order of the Eastern Star, Gate City and Kingsport Rebekah Lodges, Kingsport VFW Ladies Auxiliary and the Weber City Senior Citizens.

Carl W. Smith

Office Sought: Weber City Town Council

Personal information: Smith seeks his first term on the Weber City council. He is married to Margie Smith and they have one adult son. Smith graduated from high school in 1964. He worked for and retired from All-Star Fencing as an installer and salesman. He is a lifelong resident of Weber City and states he is willing to work with other council members for the future of the town. He is 60 years old.

William Garland Stokes

Office Sought: Weber City Town Council

Personal information: Stokes is seeking his second term on the council. He is a graduate of Gate City High School and earned a degree in Christian counseling in 1998 from Liberty University. A member of the Virginia Defense Force, he is a retired restaurant owner/operator. He and his wife, Reba Hood Stokes, have three adult daughters. He is 64 years old. Stokes says he doesn't want higher taxes and agrees the council needs to get along and have a good relationship with its employees. He wants to see the town grow and enact and enforce an ordinance dealing with dilapidated property. Stokes believes that Weber City's government should be for the people and by the people.

Others seeking positions on the Weber City Town Council are George C. Lane and Don Stokes. There are six seats on the council. Grover W. Dougherty is running for Weber City Mayor.

For more information on election requirements or statistics, visit the State Board of Elections website at www.sbe.virginia.gov or call the Scott County Registrar's Office at 276-386-3843.

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