By James Beaty
Within minutes after the filing period began at 8 this morning, a race had already been set for the Ward 2 seat on the McAlester city council .
Tommy Cravens, of 1103 MacArthur Lane, stood outside the Pittsburg County Election Board offices before 8 a.m., waiting for the doors to open so he could file for the Ward 2 City Council seat.
Steven Harrison, of 37 Georgetown Circle, also filed for the Ward 2 seat this morning, followed by Gloria Reeves.
That set up at least a three-person race between Cravens, Harrison and Reeves for the Ward 2 seat currently held by Donnie Condit, who has said he is not seeking re-election to the Ward 2 council post so he can run for District 18 state representative.
Shortly after Cravens filed this morning, incumbent Ward 6 Councilman Sam Mason, of 1411 E. Miami Ave., filed for re-election to a four-year term on the city council. Also filing for re-election today was Ward 4 incumbent Haven Wilkinson.
The filling period is set from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. today, Tuesday and Wednesday at the Pittsburg County Election Board Office.
Cravens said he had wanted to be the first candidate to file for office today.
“I was determined to be the first one here,” he said, as he waited for the doors to be unlocked shortly before 8 a.m.
Cravens said he’s a businessman and has local rental properties. He said he had several reasons for running.
“I want to see the city move forward on several projects,” he said. “Number one is for our water, to fix our streets and grow McAlester, working with our existing businesses, as well as new businesses.”
Harrison said he decided to run for the Ward 2 seat after getting much encouragement from McAlester residents.
“I am running with the hope of having a positive influence on the future of the city. I truly want to make a difference,” Harrison said.
“Over the past five years I have been actively involved in numerous city issues, having volunteered to serve as acting city treasurer and as the chairperson of McAlester’s Audit and Finance Committee,” Harrison said.
“I have utilized my experience and background as a retired former CPA, former controller and chief financial officer, to bring a common-sense, analytical approach to the city’s financial problems,” said Harrison.
Mason said he’s running for re-election in Ward 6 in order to continue his work toward bringing greater transparency to McAlester’s governing body and to build trust for the citizens of the ward as well as the entire city.
“It is my intention to continue closely examining issues which are presently confronting this city, along with future problems, and then gather facts for presentation openly, judging each on their own merits,” he said.
“The best interest of all McAlester citizens will be my guide in considering them.”
Candidates can file for the city council seats at the Pittsburg County Election Board office, at 10 E. Washington Ave., Suite 106, in the Professional Building on the west side of City Hall.
The primary election for the city offices is set for March 2.
Contact James Beaty at jbeaty@mcalesternews.com.
