Election activity heats up as time runs out

The good news is early voter turnout is impressive for both the Whitehouse city election and the Troup school board race. The bad news is things are getting ugly as Election Day nears.

Troup school board challenger Hank Gilbert put up 12 campaign signs this weekend; by Monday, two were vandalized.

In Whitehouse, residents of the neighborhood where a much-debated city park would be located found themselves on the receiving end of an anonymous letter campaign, warning voters that the department of Housing and Urban Development is interested in the property if the bond issue fails.

When asked about the letter's claims, Ethel Ratcliff, the owner of the property the city wants to purchase for the park and thoroughfare, said she had not received an offer from HUD but did not want to comment any further, except to say that everything hinges on the election.

Stefani Hughes, Whitehouse city secretary, reported early vote totals of 210; in addition to the $3 million park project proposal, there are three unopposed city council members on the ballot: Bill Powers, Dale Moran and Danny Hogden.

In Troup, trustee Bill Lacy is running unopposed, while incumbent Johnny Johnson and Hank Gilbert are vying for Place 6 in an increasingly heated contest. Melody Allen, assistant to Supt. Marvin Beaty, said 175 voters in the Troup ISD cast early votes.

Election Day is Saturday with voting hours 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Whitehouse location is the United Methodist Church, and Troup location is the Cameron-J. Jarvis Municipal Library.