By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Nine candidates for non-partisan Dowagiac offices met Monday's filing deadline for the Nov. 8 election, according to City Clerk James E. Snow.
Dowagiac's 47th Mayor Donald Lyons, first elected in November 1997, seeks his third four-year term against challengers Howard Hall and Bill Harrington.
In First Ward, Councilwoman Donna O'Konski faces opposition from Robert Mortimore.
In 2001, Mortimore lost by six votes, 52-46 with a 9-percent turnout, to O'Konski's predecessor, John W. "Jack" Alexander, who had been appointed in 1999 when Amos Clark resigned.
O'Konski was appointed Nov. 8, 2004.
In Second Ward, Councilman Bob B. Schuur is uncontested.
He has served on the council since 1985.
In Third Ward, Councilman Leon Laylin is being challenged by JoAnne Wood. Laylin seeks his third term.
Wood in 2003 ran against Dr. Charles Burling and lost 137-107.
Burling was appointed Sept. 8, 2003, to fill the vacancy created by Tom Zablocki's resignation.
City Treasurer Robin Coffey seeks re-election to her third term without opposition.
In the last mayoral election in 2001, 307 of Dowagiac's 3,693 registered voters turned out.