It started out as a simple election for mayor of Live Oak with an incumbent and one challenger but turned into a little more. Now, Live Oak City Attorney Ernie Sellers has settled the question of whether or not challenger Marlon Ivey can run for mayor since he presently resides in the county.

Sellers said in an opinion issued last week that Ivey most certainly can run for the office. And, Sellers added, Ivey doesn’t have to be a resident of the city until he takes office, if he wins.

All the hoopla came about when city officials sent Suwannee County Supervisor of Elections Glenda Williams information they said was found in an 1879 ordinance. That ordinance supposedly prevented anyone who hadn’t been a Florida resident for one year and a city residence for six months from running from office. In fact, the ordinance is no longer valid, according to Sellers.

Sellers said “it is clear that a candidate must ultimately be a resident of the city,” but adds, “therefore, if Marlon Ivey will be a “qualified elector” when his term of office begins, he may qualify for the office of mayor even if he is not a permanent resident at the time he applies to run for the office.”

Ivey said he’s happy with the decision. “I’m glad the citizens of Live Oak will be able to decide who they want as their next mayor,” Ivey said April 3. “The law is clear that I am qualified to run for this office, and we can now move ahead toward Election Day. I’m sorry people felt they had to pull stuff out of the woodwork to prevent me from running, but I’m glad the law is clear that I am qualified to run.”

Ivey and incumbent Sonny Nobles are both seeking the 4-year job of mayor of Live Oak.