DECATUR - Decatur Mayor Paul Osborne waited in the lobby of the city manager's office at 4:50 p.m. Monday and reacted with a smile when no one entered by 5 p.m. to file nominating petitions to challenge his re-election bid.

Osborne, who has been editor and publisher of the Decatur Tribune weekly newspaper for 40 years, said he cannot remember the last time an incumbent mayor went unchallenged.

Only six candidates filed nominating petitions to seek election to three opens seats in the April 17 municipal election. Had seven or more candidates filed, a primary election would have been required Feb. 27 to reduce the field to six.

Incumbents Michael Carrigan, secretary-treasurer of the Illinois AFL-CIO; Patrick Laegeler, an Archer Daniels Midland Co. vice president; and Mike McElroy, Skeff Distributing Co. vice president of sales, will be opposed by Damon Cross, a Realtor; Billy Roberts, who ran unsuccessfully for council in 2005; and William Faber, an attorney.

Jerry Johnson attempted to file nominating petitions for council at 4:55 p.m. Monday.

City Clerk Celeste Harris said Johnson did not have a stamped receipt from the Macon County Clerk's Office indicating he had filed a required statement of economic interest. The form must be filed prior to nominating petitions being filed.

Johnson was upset by the situation and said he would be consulting an attorney, Harris said.

County Clerk Steve Bean said 2007 will be the first time since 1991 the city has not had a primary election.

Waiting for 5 p.m. to arrive, Osborne said he felt as though it was election night, and he was awaiting returns from the polls.

"People know how I feel about the city," Osborne said when asked why he had no opposition. "Without an opponent, I'll have more time to work on outstanding projects and move them forward."

Osborne said he finds the public is very supportive of his efforts wherever he goes, so no opponent likely means people feel he is doing a good job. He said his first four years in office have been a learning experience and have passed rapidly.

Among the projects Osborne said he wants push to completion are the retail development at Mound Road and U.S. 51, a second lake to bolster the city's water supply and the downtown redevelopment project. He said he also wants to increase promotion of tourism and work on quality of life issues that would attract more people to the city.

Ron Ingram can be reached at ringram@herald-review.com or 421-7973.