LOCKHART — The filing fee paid by candidates for public office and fines for failing to do so on time, the GED program, and an update on an infrastructure grant will be on the agenda of the Lockhart Town Council Tuesday evening.

Mayor Ailene Ashe said State Rep. Mike Anthony will address council and the public on the filing fee candidates for public office must pay to have their names placed on the ballot. Mrs. Ashe said Anthony will brief council on his recent conversations with State Election Commission about the fee and the fines the commission levied on several candidates for council. She said several candidates for town council in the 2009 election did not get their filing fees paid on time and were each fined $100 by the election commission. Ashe said that while the violations occurred in 2009, most of those who were fined did not receive notice from the commission until this year.

Ashe said she was one of those found to be in violation, but she was notified in 2009, the only candidate from that election to be notified at that time. She said she paid the fine upon being notified, and that since the other notices were received this year another candidate of the 2009 election has paid the fine. The others have protested their fines and Ashe said Anthony will address their concerns and questions Tuesday night.

GED

Also addressing council will be Mary Hooker of the Union County School District Adult Education program. Ashe said Hooker will speak about the GED program which the town is working to promote. She said there are a number of young people in the community who did not graduate from high school and need to get their GED.

Grant

Council will also receive an update on the progress of the infrastructure upgrade project being funded by a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) the town received in July. The funds are being used to upgrade sewer lines and a water line in the northwestern part of the town.