Six candidates have filed papers to run for three open seats on the Menlo Park City Council.
Three of the candidates turned in their papers on August 16, the filing deadline: parks and recreation commissioners Richard Cline and Heyward Robinson, and Linfield Oaks resident Vincent Bressler.
All three candidates say they oppose the current council majority of council members Nicholas Jellins, Mickie Winkler and Lee Duboc.
Incumbents Winkler and Duboc are seeking re-election, but Mayor Jellins is not seeking another term.
Ms. Winkler and Ms. Duboc have aligned themselves with candidate John Boyle, a member of the city’s Transportation Commission. The three candidates pledge support for one another in their ballot statements.
Ballot statements for all six candidates are available for public viewing at the city clerk’s office in the Civic Center, between Laurel and Alma streets.
MP election measures designated J and K
The two local ballot measures that will go before Menlo Park voters — an advisory measure on sports fields at Bayfront Park, and a proposed tax on utility bills — have been labeled Measure J and Measure K, respectively, on the November ballot.Measure J will ask voters if they support spending an estimated $15 million to $17 million to build four sports fields on 15 to 17 acres of Bayfront Park, the 160-acre park off Marsh Road.
City Council members Nicholas Jellins, Mickie Winkler and Lee Duboc voted to put the measure on the ballot. Council members Kelly Fergusson and Andy Cohen opposed it.
Measure K is a utility tax measure that, if approved, would authorize the city to tax water, gas and electric bills up to 3.5 percent; and telephone, cell phone and cable bills up to 2.5 percent. The tax, if passed, is expected to raise about $2.5 million a year for the city.
A simple majority is needed to pass the measure. The council voted 5-0 to put the measure on the ballot.
Primary arguments for and against the ballot measures are available at the city clerk’s office.
Rebuttal arguments can’t exceed 250 words, and are due at the city clerk’s office by 5 p.m. August 25.
Nominees sought for environmental awards
The Menlo Park Environmental Quality Commission is now accepting nominations for “Environmental Quality Awards” — a process that awards individuals, businesses, groups and organizations for environmentally conscious projects, practices and activities.Nomination forms, which include descriptions of the award categories, can be downloaded online. Go to www.menlopark.org, and under “News Releases” click on “Nominations for environmental quality awards.”
Nominations are due by October 3. E-mail completed nomination forms to ddryer@menlopark.org.
