Got a calendar handy? Another busy political season is under way in Flowery Branch, and it won't end until almost spring.

City Council passed an ordinance Thursday night setting a special election to replace Kris Yardley, who resigned earlier in the week by virtue of qualifying for the state House seat vacated by former Rep. James Mills. Thursday night's vote was a first reading. Final action is set for Oct. 20.

The election is set for March 6, the same day as the presidential preference primary.

In addition, Flowery Branch residents have the long-scheduled Nov. 8 election for Post 1 and Post 2 City Council seats.

Incumbent Amanda Swafford faces challenger Damon Gibbs for Post 1 and incumbent Chris Fetterman faces challenger Mary Jones for Post 2.

On the same ballot, residents will be deciding whether Flowery Branch should have Sunday alcohol sales and which of seven people they'd like to succeed Mills, who represented South Hall.

The Republicans seeking the District 25 seat are Bobby Banks, Emory Dunahoo, Dominic Ottaviano, Todd Reed, William "Sonny" Sykes and Yardley. The lone Democrat in the race is Paul Godfrey.

A runoff, if needed, would be held Dec. 6.

Further, the Flowery Branch council voted Thursday night — after much bickering and debate — to set qualifying for Nov. 2-4 for Yardley's seat.

Swafford said she favored qualifying to take place closer to the election.

"I kind of like to have a break from all the election talk and things that are going on (in November)," she said. "There's no real
conceivable advantage to having qualifying early.

"If you're a candidate, qualifying doesn't mean anything other than when you sign up. You can campaign well in advance."

She said there is so much confusion among voters about upcoming elections, "I have some people asking me if I'm running against Chris Fetterman."

Councilman Joe Anglin said he believed the only people who would be aware of qualifying dates are the serious candidates.

"Those who are interested in running — those are the ones we would want to know," he said. "It's not as if we've had people falling out of trees looking to run for Flowery Branch City Council.

"Give the candidates the opportunity to have as much time as possible to get their platforms out there and have the public actually get to know (the candidates)."

Political maneuvering isn't something new in Flowery Branch.

Last year was a virtual merry-go-round of council members leaving and joining the council, starting with Craig Lutz, who sought and eventually won a Hall County Board of Commissioners seat and former Mayor Diane Hirling, who left for retirement in Florida.

At one point, council meetings had to be rescheduled to ensure a quorum, as the charter requires at least three council members and a mayor or interim mayor in attendance.

With four members, Mayor Mike Miller's vote is now critical. He only votes in case of a tie, which he did Thursday night in setting qualifying for Nov. 2-4.