Fourteen days remain to pull and file papers with either the
city clerk or county Registrar of Voters to run for city council,
the Morgan Hill Unified School District or Santa Clara Valley Water
District. Since Friday, one new candidate has added his name to the
list of those interested in serving on the seven-member school
district board. Armando Benavides is a member of the Hispanic
community group Coalition for Latino Education Achievement Defense
or Co-LEAD.
Fourteen days remain to pull and file papers with either the city clerk or county Registrar of Voters to run for city council, the Morgan Hill Unified School District or Santa Clara Valley Water District.
Since Friday, one new candidate has added his name to the list of those interested in serving on the seven-member school district board.
Armando Benavides is a member of the Hispanic community group Coalition for Latino Education Achievement Defense or Co-LEAD.
In November 2009, Benavides shared on behalf of Co-LEAD their disappointment that the school board chose superintendent Wesley Smith. They said he did not meet their expectations.
“That we did not get a candidate with that experience (with English learners and Hispanic students) confounds us and makes us question this board’s willingness to work to solve the achievement gap,” Benavides read from a prepared statement Nov. 16, 2009.
The incumbents he would face are current board president Bart Fisher, Shelle Thomas and Don Moody. Trustee Mike Hickey will not run.
Claudia Rossi, Kirsten Francis Carr and Brenda Cayme have also pulled papers for the school board election Nov. 2.
At City Hall, Mayor Steve Tate and councilwoman Marby Lee have so far pulled papers to run for mayor.
Two council seats are open since Lee is running for mayor and councilman Greg Sellers decided earlier this summer not to seek another term.
Ricatoni’s Delicatessen owner Rick Moreno is considering a bid as is Michael Castelan, the owner of Poppy’s Fish and Poultry before he closed shop in June. Resident Kenneth Wayne Galloway also pulled papers last week.
At the water district, sources close to incumbent Rosemary Kamei say she is considering a run for Morgan Hill city council. Kamei did not return phone calls Monday.
Current South County at-large director Cy Mann will run for the District 1, as will longtime politician Don Gage who will leave the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors due to term limits. Roberto Sepulveda, who lists his occupation as a dentist, has also pulled papers.
Tips on running for public office
What: Prospective candidates from South County are invited. The information will be applicable to candidates from Gilroy and San Martin.
When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Morgan Hill Library, 660 W. Main Ave.
