The deadline for non-incumbents of the Escalon City Council to file for an open seat on the council has been extended through 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17.
An extension went into effect as a result of incumbent Robert Swift – currently serving as Mayor Pro Tem – not seeking re-election. He did not file the required papers by the Aug 12 deadline, automatically extending the deadline five days for non-incumbents. Swift said he had “no regrets” about stepping down from the council after serving for 12 years and added he was happy to see some new people showing interest in the council and serving the city.
Incumbents Ed Alves, Peter Krumeich and appointee Andrew Hagan all filed for available four-year terms on the council. Alves currently serves as mayor, though once elections are held, the mayor and mayor pro tem are chosen by the council members.
Also taking out the nomination papers to run for one of the three available four-year terms in November were Jeremy Engle and Malinda Walker.
One unexpired two-year term is available and candidates taking out nomination papers for that seat were Elsa Sandoval, Kurt Danziger, Rylan Butler, Sherry Gail Hill and Shawn M. Strohman.
With the deadline extended through 5 p.m. on Aug. 17, there is the possibility that additional candidates could also be on the November ballot. If all stays the same as it was as of the Friday, Aug. 12 deadline, there could be 10 candidates on the ballot. Five would be in the running for the three four-year seats; five would be seeking the one available two-year seat. The top three vote getters would win the four-year posts while the top vote getter in the other race would settle in to the two-year seat on the dais.
Officials post current candidate information on the city’s website at cityofescalon.org.
An update on the election was provided at the Monday night, Aug. 15 City Council meeting. Also at that session, the council learned that their next regular meeting, the first Monday in September, would fall on Labor Day, Sept. 5. It was agreed to forego having that meeting – often the council meetings on Monday holidays move to the next day, Tuesday – as a result of no pressing business at this time. City Manager Dominique Romo said if anything came up that needed immediate attention, they could schedule an early September meeting.
A couple of audience members took to the podium Monday night as well. Longtime senior housing advocate Ann Shaddix asked the council to continue working toward a solution to what remains a need in the community. She noted that even if they have to do a new RFP, Request For Proposals, to gauge interest in builders willing to work with the city on senior housing, they should move forward with that.
Al Bellinger, representing the Escalon American Legion, told the council and city officials that this Saturday evening, Aug. 20 will be the monthly Legion dinner, typically hosted the third Saturday at the Legion Hall on Second Street. This month will be a fish fry dinner, Bellinger noted, and he said all are welcome to attend. There is no charge but donations are accepted.
