Candidates can file at the Polk county Board of Elections Office located in the Womack building in Columbus.

So far, 12 residents in the county&squo;s three towns have filed to run for town and city council.

The latest last week was incumbent Columbus Mayor Kathleen McMillian. She was the last of the incumbents to file in Columbus, joining current council members Michael Gage, Ricky McCallister and Margaret Metcalf. They will be challenged by newcomer Ernie Kan, who also filed to run for council.

In Tryon, the only person to file so far is incumbent Mayor Alan Peoples. The council seats of Jim Scott and Dennis Durham are also up for re-election, but neither had filed as of yesterday at noon, nor had any challengers filed for mayor or council.

In Saluda, a competitive race is brewing with incumbent Mayor Rodney Gibson, who filed last week, being challenged by newcomer Fred Baisden. Both incumbent council members, Johnnie Kinard and Laura Fields, have also filed to retain their seats in Saluda. They are being challenged so far by newcomers George Sweet and William H. &dquo;Hop&dquo; Foster.

The municipal election will be held this year on Nov. 3.