Six Orindans have formally expressed an interest in running for one of three available city council seats to be vacated this November – with Mayor Sue Severson’s decision not to run extending the filing period to end of business Wednesday with two more hopefuls waiting in the wings.
Severson pulled the necessary papers for a council run but did not file before the mandated Friday deadline, opening the door for the extension and potential candidates Ed Jajeh and Juan Kelly – who have pulled papers but have not yet filed.
So far, incumbents Dean Orr and Amy Worth are running, with challengers Carlos Baltodano, Linda Delehunt, Eve Phillips and Robert Thompson rounding out the field.
Severson was elected to the council in 2006, re-elected in 2010, and she served as mayor in 2009 and 2013. Her tenure was not without its controversies, including her now infamous “Move… or get triple pane windows” response to a citizens group requesting mitigation of noise levels in their neighborhood, and her email communication with a developer and city planning commission head on a proposed school project – a violation of council protocol and fodder for a community watchdog group who challenged her and other members of the council for their ties to local real estate interests.
Questions for the candidates? Respectful, signed questions may be posted below this story in the comments stream. As usual, we encourage any discussion between candidates and their constituents.
