Government in the approximately 160-resident town consists of a mayor and two commissioners. A municipal election is held every two years for all three unpaid positions.

This will be the first time in four years that the incumbents ­ Mayor Pete Menke, first elected in 1975; Bonnie Brown, elected in 1993; and Houston Miller, elected in 2001 ­ will face a challenge in the form of Luke Fedders.

"I told him I hoped he didn't beat me, but I said he should run" if he was interested, Menke said.

Fedders, who has attended town meetings for about a year, decided Sunday to throw his hat in the ring.

"The main thing for me is I'm here for the long haul and my children are here for the long haul as far as I'm concerned," Fedders said. "My main concern is keeping it a small little town for them."

Fedders, 35, moved to Barnesville four years ago when he and wife Lisa purchased her grandmother's home.

"In 1988 [when I met my wife] I didn't know where Barnesville was," Fedders said. "Now I wouldn't do anything without it."

Miller, who will be traveling on the day of the election, said he decided to run again because of unfinished business in town affairs.

Since being elected, Miller said he has seen town government "mature" with the creation of a Web site, formalization of the budget process, development of subdivision regulations and acquisition of town hall.

"I think that level of maturity is kind of necessary to do business anymore," Miller said. "I hope to continue that momentum."

Brown could not be reached for comment.

For the first time in decades, the election will not be held in a resident's garage but in the new town hall, which is still under renovation. However, residents will still drop their ballots into a Capital Perfectos cigar box as has been the longtime tradition.

"We'll keep that up," Menke said.

The 80-year-old hall, acquired by the town in December 2003, was recently granted $85,000 by the state for ongoing restoration work. Late-coming voters will likely vote by candle or camp light as the building does not currently have electricity, said town clerk and treasurer Patty Menke, the mayor's wife. Nonetheless they will still be treated to post-voting refreshments.