(December 8, 2008)—State District Judge Phillip Zeigler set a date Monday for a special election to replace four members of the Copperas Cove City Council whom voters recalled in November.

The special election is set for Feb. 10, 2009.

Filing dates for four open positions on city council run from Tuesday Dec. 9 through Wednesday Dec. 23, according to Copperas Cove City Manager Andrea Gardner.

Because the date set does not conform to a state uniform election date, the city is responsible for holding the election.

The issue went to 52nd District Court after four Copperas Cove city council members were forced from office in the November election recall issue.

Currently the council is prevented from doing business because the city charter requires a quorum of five members, not including the mayor.

And even though new mayor John Hull has been sworn into office, the serving council members do not make up the required quorum.

Council members Mark Peterson, Charlotte Hines, Ray Don Clayton and Robert Reeves were voted out, mainly as the result of a hearing in March during which then-mayor Roger O'Dwyer was removed from office.

Gardner said several people have indicated an intention to run for the open seats, "but you never know until the sign up," she said.

City attorney Charles Zech said ousted members would not be prevented from running again, but not for the seats they vacated.

He said the charter says a recalled member may not replace him or herself, but the rules do not preclude recalled members from running for a place different from the ones they vacated.