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Elkhorn mayor race wide open

ELKHORN — The Elkhorn mayoral race is wide open after Mayor John Giese announced this week he won’t seek a third term.

Giese in 2010 will end his second term as mayor of Elkhorn. He started his public career at the Elkhorn Police Department in 1971 and served as chief of police from 1980 until 2002. Giese was an alderman from 2002 to 2004 and has been mayor since 2006.

“It’s just time to get away from it for a while,” Giese said.

Former Alderman Gary L. Payson Sr. this week filed papers and officially entered the race.

“With the involvement that I’ve had with city government since the early ’90s, I felt that I would bring a lot to the table,” he said.

Payson served as alderman in the 1990s and again from 2007 to 2009. He said that he has served on every city committee.

“I was a very busy guy,” he added.

Also on the spring ballot will be aldermanic seats for districts 3, 4 and 6. City Council President Ronald Dunwiddie holds District 3, Alderman Scott McClory holds the District 4 seat and Alderwoman Julie Taylor holds District 6.

Dunwiddie and McClory said they have plans to seek re-election.

The Gazette was unable to reach Taylor for comment Friday.

The Spring primary election is scheduled for Feb. 16. Voting is scheduled for April 6.

RUNNING FOR PUBLIC OFFICE

There are three main forms to be filed by those interested in running for public office in Elkhorn.

— Campaign registration statement: New candidates should file this statement before funds are collected or spent, and before circulating nomination papers.

— Nomination paper for nonpartisan office: Those interested in running for alderperson should collect 20 to 40 signatures. Those running for mayor should collect 50 to 100 signatures.