Date: Fri 01-Aug-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

politics-election-P&Z

Full Text:

November Election Will Offer Voters Few Choices

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Due to the tremendous turnover recently on the Planning & Zoning Commission,

all eight positions will be up for election in November. Only two of the

seats, however, will be contested.

Two four-year positions were already up for reelection, but three others are

also up for election because those currently in the seats filled previous

vacancies. The election laws state that those members who replaced appointees

must run in the next election if they want to retain their seat.

Stephen Adams, Todd Richardson, John Deegan and John DeFilippe all resigned in

the middle of their terms on P&Z.

Town Clerk Cindy Curtis Simon said having all eight seats (five regular

members and three alternates) up for election in the same year is extremely

rare and has probably never happened before.

"It's never happened before," said Earl J. Smith. "I think it presents a very

interesting situation for the town. P&Z is so important."

Republican Daniel Fogliano and Democrat Heidi Winslow are seeking to fill the

two four-year slots that are open. Those seeking to fill the three two-year

terms are Republicans James Boylan, Stephen Koch and Thomas Paisley. The

Democrats are Michael Osborne and Lilla Dean.

Republican Robert Taylor and Democrat Herb Hoover are running unopposed for

two of the three open alternate seats. Republican Patricia Linnell, who had

also received the party's endorsement as P&Z alternate, has opted not to run.

There is always a race for seats on the Legislative Council and this year is

no exception. The Democrats are hoping they'll get more than the minimum three

seats they currently have on the board. Two of the Democratic incumbents -

Melissa Pilchard (District I) and Lisa Schwartz (District III) - are seeking

reelection. Jack Rosenthal (District III) has opted not to run again.

Other Democrats seeking council seats are Charles Browne, III, and Edward

Walsh (District I); Margaret Baiad, Sutherland Denlinger and Timothy Holian

(District II) and Roger Connor and Christopher Donahue (District III).

The Republicans have several incumbents seeking reelection to the council,

including Pierre Rochman and Donald Studley (District I); Winthrop Ballard,

Karen Blawie and Joseph Borst (District II) and John Kortze and William

Rodgers (District III).

The GOP has put up several new candidates to fill slots on the council,

including Edward Lucas (District I) and Stephen Adams (District III).

Republican Cindy Curtis Simon is running unopposed for town clerk.

For the Board of Education, Republican Elaine McClure and Democrat Margaret

Hull are running unopposed.

There is no contest on the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) where Republican

Sally O'Neil and Democrat Alan Clavette are both expected to be reelected.

Republicans Timothy Cronin and Pat Rosato and Democrat Michael Daubert are

also in no-contest situations. Republican Barry Meeks is running unopposed for

the Board of Assessment Appeals.

There is no contest on the Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers where Republican

Marie Sturdevant and Democrat Edgar Beers are both up for re-election.

The same is true for the Police Commission. Democrat Robert Connor and

Republican Carol Mattegat will be reelected.