Contested seats set for VISD, WGH

Contested races will be on the ballot this Spring for seats on the Vernon ISD board of trustees and the WIlbarger General Hospital board of directors. The election will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2022.
There are three contested positions up for election on the Vernon Independent School District’s board of trustees. Five newcomers and one incumbent have filed.
Taylor Craighead and Mamie McArthur filed for Place 3. Bryson Henry and Gordy Gonzales filed for Place 4. Amanda Lehman has filed for Place 5. Tom Scott (first elected in 2016) filed for reelection in Place 5. Two incumbents Kevin Young (first elected 2003) and Sjohonton Fanner (elected 2021 to fill an open seat) did not file for reelection.
There were three positions with the City of Vernon up for election, and all three incumbents will be unopposed. Pam Gosline filed for Mayor. Jim Parmer filed for Precinct 2 commissioner. Early Williams filed for Precinct 1 commissioner.
Wilbarger General Hospital had two positions up for election — one will be contested. Place 7 has incumbent Roger Townson being challenged by Gene White. Incumbent Pam Caldwell is returned unopposed to the Place 6 position.

College adds new trustee
Meg Heatly was the only person to file for the seat vacated by Dr. Todd Smith. No one filed to run against Betsy Smith or Jamie Chapman, so they will retain those seats. Since no seat has more that one person that has filed, the March 9 board meeting will include the following agenda item: Consideration of Certification of Unopposed Candidates and issue an Order of Cancellation for the Election of Vernon College Board of Trustees Place #2, #3, and #4 scheduled to be held on May 7, 2022
College President Dusty Johnston stated that all three newly elected members will be certified at the May 11 board meeting. That will be Heatly’s first meeting. Dr. Smith will appoint a nominating committee at the April 13 meeting and new board officers will be elected at the May 11 meeting after the three members are certified.
Betsy Smith is elected to complete the four-year term of the place vacated by the resignation of Anne Spears. Meg Heatly and Jamie Chapman are elected to full six year terms for those places.
“Dr. Smith’s last meeting will be April 13. He has been an excellent board member,” Johnston said.