Council, mayoral races take shape in SLO County

Most candidates file papers by Friday’s deadline; other communities have until Wednesday

Sona Patel

Comments (0) |

E-Mail

Text Size:

tool goes here

City Council and mayoral hopefuls in San Luis Obispo County filed papers for local public offices by Friday’s deadline.

But residents in Paso Robles, Atascadero and Grover Beach who are still interested in running for mayor or council seats will have until Wednesday to file papers. That’s because the filing period was extended because incumbents in those communities did not seek re-election.

Meanwhile, Los Osos Community Services District board members Lisa Schicker and Julie Tacker did not file reelection papers. Residents interested in entering the race there have until Wednesday to file.

The district has garnered much attention because of its Chapter 9 bankruptcy and contentious sewer issue.

Competing for two seats on the board are audio and video technician David Duggan, community volunteer Maria Kelly, attorney Marshall Ochylski and health care provider Alon Perlman.

Two candidates vying for a spot on the San Luis Obispo City Council filed papers late Friday. Marcia Nelson and Arnold Ruiz have tentatively entered the race, pending re-view of the signatures on their candidacy papers.

They would join a field that includes incumbent Paul Brown and challengers John Ashbaugh, Dan Carpenter and Jan Howell Marx.

Running for mayor in San Luis Obispo are incumbent Dave Romero, Terry Mohan and Donald Hedrick, pending verification of Hedrick’s signatures.

In Paso Robles, Councilman Duane Picanco will challenge fellow Councilman Gary Nemeth for the mayoral seat; the winner will succeed Frank Mecham, who will join the county Board of Supervisors. Picanco and mayoral hopeful Jim Norman have not yet filed papers, but both have said they will enter the race.

Other council candidates include incumbent Fred Strong, Ed Steinbeck and Donald Fransen.

Former Atascadero Planning Commissioner Bob Kelley filed papers for City Council on Friday. He will challenge incumbent Jerry Clay, businessman Len Colamarino and Planning Commission Chairwoman Roberta Fonzi.

Three of the five council seats are to be filled.

Grover Beach will hold its first election for mayor. Voters decided in November 2006 to elect their own mayor to a two-year term. Councilman Chuck Ashton will challenge Mayor John P. Shoals.

Councilwoman Karen Bright and Planning Commission Chairwoman Debbie Peterson are vying for two seats on the council.

Previous council candidate Liz Doukas has filed papers, but the required signatures had not been verified as of Friday afternoon.

Councilman Steve Lieberman is up against term limits and cannot run for re-election.

No new candidates are running for council or mayor in Arroyo Grande. Mayor Tony Ferrara is seeking another term. He ran unopposed in 2006 and has served on the City Council since 1998.

Councilmen Jim Guthrie and Ed Arnold will keep their seats.

In Pismo Beach, Councilman Bill Rabenaldt will challenge Mayor Mary Ann Reiss for her post. City Planning Commissioner Ed Waage and Wayne King will challenge Councilman Ted Ehring.

Morro Bay held its first primary election in June to determine who will move on to the November election. George Leage will challenge Mayor Janice Peters. Councilman Bill Peirce will face challengers Noah Smukler, Carla Borchard and Roger Ewing to fill two vacancies.

Staff writer Dawn White contributed to this story.