New candidates emerging in Tiburon, Belvedere council races
Two Belvedere planning commissioners have signaled interest in seats on the City Council, with Chair Pat Carapiet and Commissioner Kevin Burke both pulling candidate-nomination papers on July 15, the first day of the filing period. Burke formally filed at The Ark’s press deadline July 22.
The council seats of incumbents Nancy Kemnitzer, Jim Lynch and Sally Wilkinson are up for election in the Nov. 5 contest, with Wilkinson formally filing her candidacy papers on July 18, according to city records.
Kemnitzer says she’s stepping down after two terms under local tradition, which would guarantee at least one new face will join the council. Lynch said July 22 he wasn’t sure if he’d run either. If he doesn’t, that would let Carapiet and Burke slide in unchallenged if no more candidates emerge.
As an incumbent, Lynch has until 5 p.m. Aug. 9 to declare his candidacy. If any incumbent, such as Kemnitzer, doesn’t file, only challengers will have an extended filing deadline, through 5 p.m. Aug. 14.
Interested residents may obtain nomination papers at City Hall from City Clerk Beth Haener 8 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, or by appointment on weekdays through 5 p.m. Contact Haener at 415-435-8913 or clerk@cityofbelvedere.org.
A challenger for Tiburon Town Council
Tiburon Parks, Open Space and Trails Commission Chair Chuck Hornbrook pulled nomination papers on July 18 for one of two seats on the Town Council. His entrance could make for an election-season challenge.
Incumbent Vice Mayor Holli Thier pulled her papers July 15. The same day, interim Councilmember Isaac Nikfar told The Ark he will seek reelection but had not yet pulled papers at press deadline.
Nikfar has until Aug. 9 to file. If he does, nominations for office will close that day. If he doesn’t, other challengers may jump in through Aug. 14.
Interested residents may obtain nomination papers at Town Hall from Town Clerk Lea Dilena between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; she’ll also be available 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9. Contact Dilena at 415-435-7377 or ldilena@townoftiburon.org.
Ex-mayor to run for water board
Richardson Bay Sanitary District boardmember Jeff Slavitz, a former Tiburon mayor, will challenge incumbent Larry Russell for the District 5 seat on the Marin Municipal Water District board, filing papers July 22. Russell, who has taken out papers but not yet filed, has sat on the board since 2004.
Other races
• Reed Union School District board: Incumbents Jacqueline Jaffee and Liz Webb are eligible for reelection to the two four-year seats. No candidates have taken out papers.
• Tamalpais Union High School District board: Incumbents Leslie Harlander and Karen Loebbaka are eligible for reelection to the two four-year seats. No candidates have taken out papers.
• Mill Valley School District board: Incumbents Michele Crncich Hodge and Elli Abdoli filed papers July 18 and July 22, respectively, to retain their two four-year seats.
• Tiburon Fire Protection District board: Incumbents Mark Capell and Brett Tucker have taken out papers for the two four-year seats. Incumbent Joy Ho has taken out papers for the remaining two-year seat.
• Southern Marin Fire Protection District board: Incumbents Cathryn Hilliard and Clifford Waldeck have taken out papers for two of three four-year seats. Incumbent Ashley Raveche is also eligible for reelection.
• Richardson Bay Sanitary District board: Incumbents Slavitz and Mark Slater are eligible for reelection to the two four-year seats. No candidates have taken out papers.
• Sanitary District No. 5 of Marin board: Incumbent Richard Snyder filed papers July 15 for one of three four-year seats. Incumbents Omar Arias-Montez and John Carapiet are also eligible for reelection.
• Strawberry Recreation District board: Incumbent Cale Nichols has taken out papers for one of the two four-year seats; incumbent Pam Bohner is also eligible for reelection. Incumbent Christian Michael filed papers July 19 for the remaining two-year seat.
• Marin Healthcare District board, Division 2: Incumbent Ann Sparkman is eligible for reelection. No candidates have taken out papers.
As with the Tiburon and Belvedere council races, all candidates have until 5 p.m. Aug. 9 to file for election. If any incumbent in a race fails to file, challengers in that race will get an extended deadline through 5 p.m. Aug. 14.
For all offices except the two local councils, candidates must file their nomination papers with the Marin Elections Department, Suite 121 of the Marin Civic Center in San Rafael. The office is open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. weekdays and until 5 p.m. on the Aug. 9 and 14 filing deadlines. Candidate application forms are also available on the county elections website via arkn.ws/marincandidateapply; staff will prepare and email nomination papers with further instructions.
Contact candidate-services official Dan Miller at 415-473-6437 or danmiller@marincounty.org with questions. For more information about the election, including a candidate guide, visit marinvotes.org.
Reach Executive Editor Kevin Hessel at 415-435-2652.
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