There won’t be too many races on the ballot locally in November.
Escalon City Council members are to gather in special session Wednesday night, Aug. 19 for a 7 p.m. session to officially cancel the council election originally set for November. That, because only two candidates filed for the two available seats. Incumbent Jeff Laugero and David Bellinger, currently serving on the council in place of an on-leave Peter Krumeich, both filed to fill a full four-year term. Incumbent Walt Murken did not seek re-election and the two candidates, two seats scenario allows the council to formally vote to remove the council election from the November ballot. Laugero and Bellinger would be appointed to fill the four-year terms on the council in lieu of the election.
The same is true for the Escalon school board, with incumbent trustees Nick Caton and Martha Coelho the only candidates filing for the two available slots.
Incumbent Laura Catrina, previously appointed to the Escalon Consolidated Fire Protection District Board, was the only candidate who filed to fill the remaining two years of the unexpired term so she will be appointed to that slot.
A full four-year term on the board, however, will have a three-way race. Retired Battalion Chief Terry Pinheiro and firefighter/paramedic Mark Paulsen are vying for the seat along with incumbent Josh Cummings.
The Farmington Fire Protection District has three candidates running for three available seats; they are expected to be appointed in lieu of an election. Incumbent Kelly Ogilvie, farmer/rancher Frank Ed Bracco Jr. and retired firefighter Jeremiah Mulvihill are the candidates that filed nominating papers to seek the seats on the Farmington fire board.