(7/27) As July comes to a close, three candidates have filed to run in the upcoming Town Election, two vying for the position of mayor and one for commissioner.

For the position of mayor, Don Briggs has filed to run for re-election. Jim Hoover is seeking to regain that seat which he lost in 2011.

Mayor Briggs was elected mayor in 2011 and has served continuously since. If elected, Briggs would like to continue replacing years of neglected infrastructure, while at the same time, adding new technology infrastructure to the system.

Additionally, he would like to expand the town resources through aggressive attainment of government grants, and strengthen ties with existing businesses, and attract new businesses "with a statement-like, attractive, and usable setting to share with the community."

Jim Hoover will be running to contest the re-election of Mayor Briggs. Hoover had previously served as mayor from 2002 until 2011, and prior to 2002 had served on the Board of Commissioners. He also served a short time on the Board of Commissioners in 2012 as an appointed fill-in for the temporary absence of Commissioner Glenn Blanchard.

Hoover said HE would like to pursue, should he be elected, work on the outdated and degrading portions of the water and sewer infrastructure, and then to establish a routine maintenance plan to continually monitor the underground network of pipes. He would also like to see improvements implemented to enhance how the town interacts with residents and businesses in the community and creating a "more user-friendly" manner of conducting business.

Commissioner Joe Ritz will be running to be re-elected to his seat on the town Board of Commissioners. Ritz was initially elected to the board in 2014, and has previously served on the Citizens Advisory, and the Parks and Recreation Committees. He presently serves as the commissioners’ liaison to the Planning Commission,

If re-elected he said, he would like to continue to encourage business growth through grants and/or incentives for start-ups, noting that Emmitsburg could really capitalize on businesses geared to families and children, those unique to history, and those harmonized with our multi-use trails and local skiing.

Additionally, Ritz said he would like to investigate space for, and plan to develop, a municipal parking lot or parking garage due to limited public parking, and continue to seek approval from the State Highway Administration to reconfigure the square traffic light pattern to alternate four ways.

Any additional, potential candidates wishing to participate in the election must file applications and submit financial disclosures by August 28. Anyone interesting in running as a write-in candidate must apply by September 22.

To vote in the election, voters must be registered to vote with Frederick County by August 28. Absentee ballots must be returned to the Town Office no later than September 28. The Town election will be held September 29.