Mayoral seat only contested race

The whisperings can be put to rest now — the Chillicothe City Council candidates finished filing their petitions Monday.

The only race will be among three candidates for mayor.

For the seat at the top, who only votes in rare occasions, current Ward 1 Alderwoman Sandi Levell is running, as well as a former alderman, Doug Crew.

Both Levell and Crew began drumming up support at the Nov. 17 Santa Claus parade.

Former Mayor Don White also put his hat in the ring on Monday, with less than an hour left in the filing time.

Current Mayor Troy Childers Sr. said a few months ago he planned to retire from city politics and spend more time with his wife and their dog.

City Clerk Sharon Crabel and City Treasurer Bill Bredeman both filed for their respective seats.

Half of the aldermen's seats are up for election in the spring, and unless residents file to become a write-in candidate at the Peoria County Courthouse, those running for the seats around the council table are uncontested.

In Ward 1, Levell's seat is up for re-election. Filing for that seat is Ronald Beaumont.

In Ward 2, former school superintendent and former alderman Jim Thornton has filed for the seat. He joins his son-in-law, Beaumont, in running for a seat. Incumbent Alex Block did not file for re-election.

In Ward 3, incumbent Chris Boyer is not seeking re-election. Trish Westerman-Connor, a former alderwoman who ran the last time against Mike Hughes and lost, filed for the seat.

Current Alderman Gary Sharp filed to run for his seat again in Ward 4. He filled a vacancy a few months ago when longtime Alderwoman Judy Cantwell left the council, citing issues with the mayor.

Other residents did pick up packets but they did not file the petitions and paperwork needed to become a candidate. Part of the filing process includes filling out an economic interest statement, which has to be filed at the Peoria County Courthouse.

The general election will be April 9 and no primary will be needed, according to Crabel.