By JOHN EBY
Dowagiac Daily News

Mayor Donald D. Lyons faces a challenge Nov. 3 to his re-election to a fourth four-year term, but not from Howard Hall.

Scott E. Wreggitt, who turns 27 next week, was the only non-incumbent to meet Tuesday’s 4 p.m. filing deadline, according to City Clerk James E. Snow.

Hall circulated a nominating petition, but withdrew when another mayoral candidate surfaced after being involved in a three-way race with the late Willie Harrington and Lyons in 2005.

All three incumbent Dowagiac City Council members filed for re-election, including Lori Hunt in First Ward, appointed June 25, 2007; Bob Schuur in Second Ward, the council’s senior member, serving since 1985; and Leon Laylin in Third Ward, elected in 1997.

Lyons was first elected the city’s 47th mayor in November 1997 to follow its  longest-serving in Dr. James E. Burke (16 years from 1969-73 and from 1985-97) over Gary Weaver, a former Cass County Board of Commissioners chairman, and newsman John Cureton, who went on to serve a pair of two-year terms on the county commission.
Lyons won unopposed in 2001.

Also bidding for a new term is city Treasurer Robin Coffey, elected in 1997.