By Ken Gaidziunas

Staff Writer

With several spots open, the May 12 city elections in Anna and Melissa will give voters an opportunity to elect a number of important city positions.

In Anna the Mayor’s position, currently held by Darren Driskell, will be on the ballot as well as three city council positions: Place 1 currently filled by Mike Crist, Place 3 filled by Keith Green and Place 5 filled by Marc Hendricks.

According to Anna City Secretary Natha Wilkison seven persons have already picked up candidate packets.

Melissa, which with the passage of the City Charter in November went from a general law to home rule city, will have city council seats up for grabs and three significant changes in how council operates.

Melissa City Council will increase to six councilors with the addition of Place 6 and those running for council will now be running for three-year terms instead of the previous two-year terms. Additionally, the Mayor will now cast a vote on all items before city council as laid out in the city charter.

Three currently held council positions will be on the ballot: Place 1 filled by Kim Youngblood, Place 3 filled by Nicco Warren and Place 5 filled by Dan Trott.

Melissa City Secretary Linda Bannister said that, at this point, no candidate packets have been picked up.

City council candidate packets are available at Anna and Melissa City Halls and the first date to file is Monday, Feb. 6. The last day candidates can file for office is Monday, March 5.