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LOCK HAVEN -- It's a relatively light primary election ballot in Clinton County with only two county row offices on the ballot and four seats on the Keystone Central School Board open.
But there are a few contested races with some names from the past showing their faces in municipalities that may bring out a heavier than expected voter turnout, especially in those regions.
The primary election is Tuesday, May 18, and basically is just for registered Republicans and registered Democrats who may vote only on their party's ballot to move candidates into the November 2 General Election, when the Republicans and Democrats can vote for candidates of any party.
However, there are several questions on the ballot dealing with proposed constitutional amendments and a state referendum about loan eligibility for emergency services companies, which all registered voters, no matter what party they belong to, are eligible to answer "yes" or "no."
COUNTY OFFICES
On the county front, Republican Michelle Kunes is seeking another term as county treasurer. She stands alone with no Democratic candidates looking for her job.
And Clinton County Coroner Zach Hanna also appears to be a shoe-in for another term as coroner. A Democrat, Hanna is unopposed on the Democratic ballot and there are no candidates listed on the Republican ballot.
So both Kunes and Hanna will move on to the General Election ballot unopposed.
KEYSTONE CENTRAL SCHOOL BOARD
There are four seats open on the Keystone Central School Board, and incumbents are the sole candidates have all cross-filed for three of those seats. There are no candidates for the fourth seat.
-- In Region II, Elisabeth Lynch is seeking another term, representing Lamar Township and Mill Hall Borough.
-- In Region V, Tracy Smith is seeking another term representing Lock Haven First Ward, Woodward and Colebrook townships. She is currently board president.
-- In Region VII, which includes Lock Haven's Fourth and Fifth Wards, Roger Elling is looking for another term.
-- In Region IX, which represents Renovo and South Renovo boroughs, along with Leidy, Chapman, Stewardson, East Keating, Noyes, Grugan and Gallagher Townships, the ballots are blank. Eric Probert has decided not to seek re-election and no other residents of that area have chosen to run for the vacancy.
CITY OF LOCK HAVEN
In the city of Lock Haven, there are three vacancies for city council and three candidates seeking those seats, all Democrats -- Barbara L. Masorti, Alexander Di Costanzo and Steve Stevenson. There are no candidates on the Republican side.
BOROUGHS,
TOWNSHIPS
There is considerable interest in the race for mayor in two municipalities -- Beech Creek Borough and Renovo Borough.
In Beech Creek, former mayor Justin Kline is taking on Mayor Melvin Coakley. Both are Democrats and the winner on the primary ballot will move on to the General election in November, and most likely be the winner since there are no Republicans seeking the Republican nomination.
Many will recall that Coakley served as mayor several years ago and then Kline won the seat. When Kline became ill, Coakley stepped in and took over the mayoral duties again. Now Kline has decided to give him a run for his money on the ballot.
For Beech Creek Borough council, four candidates are seeking four vacancies -- Craig E. Lindsey, Timothy L. Bittner, Joseph Walker and William T. Kessinger. All are Republicans and will move on to the November Election where they will be uncontested, as there are no Democrats on the ballot.
Also looking for a mayor is the borough of Renovo.
Mayor Thomas E. Tarantella Jr., a Democrat, is looking for another term, and stands alone on the Democratic ticket. He will likely meet Republican Eugene Bruno in the November General Election, as Bruno is the only Republican seeking the nomination. Renovo council is seeking four council members with two Democrats -- Ann Tarantella and Rhonda Balchun and one Republican William H. Fornwalt III -- likely moving to the November election,
In Avis borough, it appears Mayor Ernest N. Harter III will keep his seat. He is unopposed on the Democratic ticket and there are no candidates for mayor on the Republican ballot.
There are four open seats on Avis borough council and four Democrats seeking to fill them. The candidates are Amy J. Brooks, Michael R. Herman, Brian Scott Stover and Elmer D. Christian Jr. There are no Republicans on that ballot.
Bald Eagle Township Supervisor C.L.Tuff Rine Jr., is seeking another six-year term. He is unopposed in the primary and will likely be the lone candidate in November. There are no candidates seeking the Republican nomination.
In Dunnstable Township, it appears the race for one supervisor seat will automatically move on to the November election with Robert J. Mann, the sole Democrat, and William J. White, the only Republican on the ballots. Corey Lucas, a Democrat, is running unopposed for the township's two-year term. There are no Republican candidates.
In Flemington, incumbent Mayor Gary Durkin, a Democrat, is unopposed for another term. No Republicans are listed.
And there are five candidates, all Republicans, looking to win four seats on Flemington borough council. They are Traci A. Kuntz, Stephen W. Hoy, Albert Hap Hill, David E. Grimm and Patrick F. Gensib.
Lamar Township could be a hot bed on election night as three Republicans are vying for one supervisor seat. The incumbent Michael L. Geyer could get some competition from Dan Chappell and Martin Salinas for the Republican nomination and a move into the general election. There are no candidates on the Democratic ballot.
Mill Hall Mayor Thomas H. Bossert wants to lead the borough for another term. Bossert, a Republican, is unopposed for the nomination and a move into the November general election. There are no Democratic candidates for mayor.
There are three vacancies on Mill Hall Borough Council with three Republicans and one Democratic seeking to fill them.
Seeking the Republican nomination in November are Karen Houser, Derek J. Caris and Karla J. Hoy. John P. Hefferon, a Democratic, will move on to the general election.
With one supervisor seat open in Noyes Township, Democrat Dennis L. Gentzyel and Republican Kimberly Kelley are the lone candidates on the primary ballots and both will move on to November.
In Pine Creek Township, it appears long-time supervisor Dennis C. Greenaway, a Democrat, is seeking competition for another six-year term from Republican Kenneth Packard. There are no other candidates for the seat.
Meanwhile, in Wayne Township, Tom Duran is on the Republican ballot seeking a six-year-term as supervisor. There are no Democrats on that ballot, so it appears Duran, former warden at the Clinton County Correctional Facility could easily fill the one supervisor seat open.
And in Woodward Township, it looks like the open seat as supervisor will be decided in November, when incumbent Democrat Kyle A. Coleman meets Republican Brenda Dunlap. There are no other candidates on the primary ballots.