VIENNA - Two residents filed Friday as write-in candidates for mayor of Vienna in a special filing period because of this week's death of a candidate for the office.
Brent West of 41st Street said he wanted voters to have a choice in the election.
"My biggest issue is the city that there be a choice, not a defacto winner," said West, 27, a manager of Papa John's pizza in Marietta.
Norm Harris also filed to add his name to the ticket Nov. 6. Harris is the director of parks and recreation for the city of Vienna.
"I've been thinking about running (for mayor) for a long time," he said. "It never seemed to work out until now."
Harris said should he become mayor he could offer a lot of experience with the inner workings of the city. He said he is "driven to make things better" and wanted to give people a choice.
Jack Roush, 51, died Thursday morning from a heart attack. He was pronounced dead at Camden Clark Medical Center.
Roush was opposed by City Recorder Randy Rapp for the seat of mayor.
West has lived in Vienna since he was 8 years old. He said he favors infrastructure improvements, expansion of new and existing business and job creation without higher taxes.
He and his wife, Holly, have an 18-month-old daughter, Isabelle.
West filed at 9:45 a.m. while Harris filed around 3:30 p.m. Friday, city officials said. The filing period for write-in candidates ended at 4 p.m. Friday.
The election is Tuesday.
City, county and state officials met Thursday morning after Roush's death and determined the procedure for write-in candidates. A list of the write-ins was posted at early voting sites upon the filing of the candidate.
In the meantime, Roush's name remains on the general election ballot. The votes cast since the start of early voting on Oct. 24 will stand as cast, according to County Clerk Jamie Six.
More than 15 percent of the voters in Vienna have already voted, he said.
If Roush wins the election, a vacancy in the office will occur on Jan. 1, at which time the recorder of the city becomes the acting mayor until a mayor is appointed by city council to serve the four-year term. No special election will be held, according to Six.
