Cherokee Tribune – Beresford won t seek re-election to council

CANTON— The four candidates so far to qualify to run for the Ward 3 seat on the Canton City Council won’t have to compete with sitting Councilman John Beresford in the Nov. 5 election.

Beresford said Thursday that he has been considering not seeking re-election for some time, but with Wednesday’s news that four candidates had signed on to vie for his seat, he is “comfortable” enough about the prospects and will bow out when his term ends Jan. 1.

Canton City Clerk Susan Stanton said Thursday afternoon that Tom Sanders, Farris Yawn, John Rust and Molly Lewis had all come forward during qualifying to run for Beresford’s seat. Qualifying ends in Canton at 4:30 p.m. today, Stanton said.

Beresford said he has several reasons — including medical issues in his family — for wanting to let those candidates compete among themselves.

But on the whole, holding office has been a frustrating experience for him at times, he said.

via Cherokee Tribune – Beresford won t seek re election to council.