WINNSBORO (Jan. 26, 2017) – Filing closed at the Fairfield County Office of Voter Registration and Elections last Friday for candidates taking aim at Winnsboro’s Mayor’s office and a pair of open Town Council seats.

Current Mayor Roger Gaddy, who only a few weeks ago had indicated he would not seek a third term, recently had a change of heart and filed his paperwork before the noon deadline Friday. Gaddy, of W. High Street, finds himself in a three-person race with Winnsboro businessman and former Councilman Bill Haslett, of State Highway 213, and Ophelia Irby, of S. Garden Street.

While Irby is a newcomer to municipal politics, Haslett made a run for mayor in 2013. He was bested by Gaddy in that race 344 votes to 232.

Absent from the lineup for the mayor’s race was Mid-County Water director Herb Rentz. Rentz had, only a few weeks ago, told The Voice that he intended to make a run for mayor. That changed, however, with Gaddy’s decision to enter the race after all.

Filing for the District 2 Town Council seat were Tony Armstrong, of Sand Creek Drive, and Janice Bartell, of Hunstanton Drive. The District 2 seat is currently held by Stan Klaus, who also served District 2 from 1997 to 2009 and returned to the seat in 2013 by edging out Sonya Kennedy, 81 votes to 50. Klaus has been in the hospital battling illness in recent months and is not seeking re-election.

Long-time District 4 Councilman Jackie Wilkes, who won his fourth term in 2013 over Pam Smith, 175 votes to 103, is also not seeking another four years on Council. Filing to fill his seat Friday was Winnsboro businessman John McMeekin, of Evans Street. McMeekin will be unopposed for the District 4 seat.

Winnsboro will hold its municipal elections on Tuesday, April 4.