Residents planning on running for the Italy City Council or Italy School Board of Trustees must turn in a completed packet before 5 p.m. on Monday, March 5, to either city hall or the school administration building, respectively. Elections will be held May 12 from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

The two local entities hold a joint election annually with elections held in the Italy City Council Chambers, 105 W. Main Street.

Early voting begins April 30 and runs through May 8 and will also be held in council chambers as well. Voting will be held from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on all business days except Tuesday, May 1, and Tuesday, May 8. Voters may vote between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on those two days.

Three seats are up for election with the city currently filled by James Hobbs, Dennis Perkins Jr. and Bruce Utley. Two seats are up for election for the school board currently occupied by Cheryl Owen and Marty Haight.

The ordinance for the city election (#12-0220-01) was unanimously approved by city council members at a called meeting Monday afternoon.

From the public
Two citizens also addressed the council during the meeting – Flossie Gowin and Dennis Smith.

Gowin, a member of the Lions Club, asked if Upchurch Park was ready for the upcoming barbecue cook-off scheduled this weekend.

Mayor Frank Jackson said they were working on cleaning up the park. He said they discovered the bathrooms were messed up and the sink had been stopped up. He said the place was a mess.

He said the city crew was short-handed this week but said they were doing the best they could to get the place ready for the upcoming competition.

Rodney Guthrie, mayor pro-tem, said they might look into requiring a clean-up deposit when renting/using Upchurch Park.

Smith asked why the dog catcher was taking his dog to the pound in Waxahachie.

Smith said the dog gets out from time to time and asked why the animal control officer didn’t just call him instead of carrying the animal to the pound. He said it costs him $40 every time the dog is taken to the pound.

Guthrie said they will look into the issue but added that the officer could also issue him a citation every time the dog gets out.