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Election Update: Council Cancels Nov. 2 Town Council Election, Appoints Incumbents

The council met Monday at 9 a.m., appointing Karen Stepper and Robert Storer to next year's council.

 

There will not be a Nov. 2 town council election in Danville, as the council appointed councilman Robert Storer and Vice Mayor Karen Stepper to next year's town council in a meeting Monday morning.

Stepper and Storer were the only candidates officially running for the two open council positions, giving the town an opportunity to consider cancelling the election.

However, even with the two candidates running unopposed, a Nov. 2 election would have given voters an opportunity to write-in candidates.

Town Councilwoman Candace Andersen said she was in favor of cancelling the election, citing the cost to the town and the reason for holding the election.

"To me it (cancelling the election) is the only fiscally responsible thing to do. In these economic times where $55,000 does make a difference and we are peeling back in so many areas I would prefer to do the appointment process," said Andersen." The likelihood seems so remote that a write-in candidate would overcome the incumbents."

City Clerk, Marie Sunseri said she did not receive any inquires from the public about potential write in candidates or opposition to cancelling the election.

Town manager Joe Calabrigo said this is the first time since the town's incorporation in 1982 that they have faced this specific issue.

"In the town's short history we have never had an uncontested election," said Calabrigo.

Stepper has been on the council since 2002 and this will be her third term in office.

Storer was appointed to the council in 2009 after the death of Councilman Michael Shimansky.  This will be his first full term in office.

Both appointments are four year terms.

Beau Hunk

8:44 pm on Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Save some significant money and do not have an election. The odds are beyond astronomical that a write-in would win.

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Beau Hunk

5:44 am on Wednesday, August 11, 2010

The Tentative Candidate List is on the CC Elections website at
http://www.cocovote.us/content.aspx?id=24

The information for the Danville Town Council election is listed as "NOT ON BALLOT." Doesn't this make the Council's discussion of whether or not to hold an election moot?

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Harald A. Bailey

9:08 am on Sunday, August 15, 2010

Dear Elizabeth,

Thank you for thorough coverage of the town council's wishes to appoint itself without validation by the voters. "Even with the two candidates running unopposed, a Nov. 2 election would give voters an opportunity to write-in candidates in addition to Stepper and Storer," was your expression of Democracy for voters and likely would provide a barometer of how Danville's neighborhoods feel about the lack of an election. This matters to our region including Alamo because the town council, without the necessity of voter validation, would assume their power beyond the boundaries of Danville or the will of the people.

Most importantly, what happens in the next council election? Will potential candidates be intimidated by council supporters and once again the council appoint itself? At that point, the council would be 100% appointed and not subject to the will of the people.

Your journalism is deeply appreciated,

halbailey@yahoo.com

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