Habersham County’s qualifying for the municipal elections scheduled for November 4 ended on Friday, paving the way for both contested and uncontested races in a number of towns and cities.

Alto

There are two contenders for Council Post 1 in Alto. John Smith is the opponent for incumbent P.J. Huggins. For Post 3, incumbent Allen Fox received no opposition, while for Post 5, incumbent Debbie Turner received no opposition.

Baldwin

Stephanie Almagno, the current mayor of Baldwin, decided not to run for reelection. Alice Venter, a council member, is vying to replace her against Douglas Faust.

Joe Elam, a former mayor of Baldwin, is attempting to run for office again. He is vying for the Council Post 4 position alongside James Wiese. Mike Tope is running uncontested for Council Post 5.

Clarkesville

Since he was the sole candidate eligible to run for the position currently occupied by Barrie Aycock, Clarkesville City Councilman Franklin Brown is now the city’s presumed mayor.

Angelia Kiker, the incumbent for Council Post 1, is seeking reelection without a challenger.

Blake Rainwater, a political novice and local contractor, has virtually guaranteed a position on the Clarkesville City Council. For the Post 5 position, he was the only qualifier. Nonetheless, Rick Coulon, Leigh Johnston, and Liz Treadwell were the three candidates that ran for Council Post 4.

Cornelia

The Commission Ward 2 seat in Cornelia was temporarily unfilled since no one met the requirements. On August 25 and 26, qualifying will reopen. Don Bagwell, the incumbent, will return to the Ward 3 seat unopposed.

Demorest

It appears that Jerry Harkness, the mayor of Demorest, will be serving another term. Harkness was eligible to run unopposed. Patti Davis and Jim Welborn will run against incumbents Shawn Allen and Andrew Ferguson for the city council.

Mount Airy

Adam Tullis is a candidate for mayor of Mount Airy. In order to serve Tullis’ unexpired term, Sam Wilbanks was eligible to run in the special election.

Both Ken Moore and Patrick Ledford, current members of the Mount Airy Town Council, are running for reelection. They have no competition.

List of qualifiers

Town of Alto

Council Position 1: Incumbent P.J. HugginsSmith, John

Council Post 3: Incumbent Allen Fox

Council Post 5: Incumbent Debbie Turner

City of Baldwin

Alice Lindsay Venter is the mayor.Faust, Douglas S.

Council Post 4: James A. Wiese and Joe Elam

Post 5: Council: Mike Tope

City of Clarkesville

Franklin Brown is the mayor.

Council Position 1: Incumbent Angela S. Kiker

Rick Coulon in Council Post 4Johnston, LeighLiz Treadwell

Council Post 5: Rainwater, Blake Van

City of Cornelia

Commission Ward 2: The City of Cornelia Commission Ward 2 seat was unfilled. On Monday, August 25, and Tuesday, August 26, qualifying will reopen. Candidates who meet the requirements can apply between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Commission Ward 3: Incumbent Don Bagwell

City of Demorest

Mayor: incumbent Jerry Harkness

Shawn Allen, the incumbent, is a council member.Davis, PattiAndrew Ferguson, the current incumbentWelborn, Jim

Town of Mount Airy

Mayor: Adam Tullis

Council Member: Incumbent Patrick Ledford

Council Member: Incumbent Ken Moore

Town of Mount Airy Special Election Council Member (to complete Adam Tullis’s unexpired term, since he is a mayoral candidate)Wilbanks, Sam