GALLIPOLIS — Candidates wishing to run for the three Gallipolis City Commission seats up for grabs this election season now have the opportunity to file their petitions with the board of elections.

According to information provided by the City of Gallipolis, statements of candidacy and nominating petitions signed by five electors must be filed no more than 100 days prior to the primary election, beginning on January 27, and must be filed at least 75 days before (February 21) the day of the primary election on May 7, 2013.

Prospective city commission candidates will be able to vie for seats currently being held by City Commission President Jay Cremeens and commissioners, Jim Cozza and Matt Johnson.

Cremeens and Johnson entered as newly elected commissioners in January 2010 after being the popular choices for city voters in the November 2009 general election.

Then city commission president Jim Cozza, who was first chosen by city voters in 2005, retained his seat in the 2009 election.

The remaining two members of the five member city commission took their seats in January 2012.

Current city commission vice-president, Steve Wallis, was appointed to serve on the commission in January 2010 along with Lori Bailey to serve out the unexpired terms of former commissioners Jon Lynch and Bob Marchi. Wallis, was re-elected in November 2011, while the seat of Bailey, who decided not to run for re-election, was filled by newcomer Mike Brown. Brown was also chosen by city voters in November 2011, beating the third candidate for the two open commission seats that year, Tony Gallagher.

Candidates wishing to fill a seat on the Gallipolis City Commission and run in this election must have their nominating petition signed by five qualified electors of the City of Gallipolis. Candidates are not permitted to circulate nominating petitions.

The statement of candidacy must be completed prior to the circulation of the nominating petition.

In order to be be eligible as a candidate for the city commission, a potential candidate must have been a resident a of the city for two years immediately preceding the election, and, if elected, must remain a resident of the city during the term of service.

Additionally, candidates cannot hold any other public position and must not have any interest in any contract, job, work or service for the city or interest in profit for any such endeavour.

Statements of candidacy and nominating petitions can be picked up at the Gallipolis City Auditor’s office, 848 Third Avenue, Gallipolis, or can be found on the City of Gallipolis website, www.cityofgallipolis.com. While on the website, click on the “commissioners” tab at the top of the page and, once there, downloadable statements of candidacy and nominating petitions can be found on the left side of the page in the blue box.

Completed petitions and statements of candidacy must be dropped off at the Gallia County Board of Elections located on the second floor of the Gallia County Courthouse, 18 Locust Street, before February 21. A file-stamped copy of the candidate’s petition and statement must then be taken city auditor.

For more information, call City Auditor Annette Landers at (740) 441-6003.