Only the Idyllwild Fire Protection District will need an election in 2013 since four candidates are running for three seats.
The only incumbent seeking re-election is IFPD Commission President Jeannine Charles-Stigall, who came in second in a field of six in her first race in 2009.
The other three candidates also have had connections with the district. Rhonda Andrewson, the former administrative assistant, resigned to be a candidate in this election. Steve Kunkle is the former fire chief and Nancy Layton has provided financial consultant services to the district for more than a year.
The period for write-in candidates begins Monday, July 1, and ends Tuesday, Aug. 13. Write-in candidates must also file a Statement of Economic Interest (if applicable) and campaign disclosure statements.
Election is Aug. 27. Final voter registration for this election is Monday, Aug. 12. Ballots will be mailed to district voters between July 29 and Aug. 17, and must be returned to the Riverside County Registrar of Voters office by 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27, in order to be counted.
Fern Valley Water District only had two candidates for three seats. Incumbents Charles Wix, board president, and Robert Krieger submitted papers in time to qualify for an election, if challenged. They were not.
But Director James Rees did not submit his papers by the May 31 deadline. Consequently, the ROV extended the deadline for FVWD candidates to June 5. No one else submit papers and Rees’ papers arrived late.
According to ROV Chief Deputy Melissa Eickman, “The Fern Valley Water District will have an opportunity to suggest an appointee. However, the [Riverside County] Board of Supervisors makes the appointment. The appointee will hold the office for the full four-year term.”
FVWD also has a fourth seat to fill. Earlier this month, the district announced that Diana Johnson, whose term expires in December 2015, had resigned. The board has decided to fill the remaining period with an appointment at its June 21 meeting. Interested applicants may file at the district office, 55790 South Circle Drive. Members of the FVWD Board of Directors must own land in the district.
Idyllwild and Pine Cove water district residents will not need to cast a vote to fill expiring seats. For the second consecutive election, only the existing incumbents, whose terms expire in December, filed for the director seats in those water districts. John Cook and Mike Freitas of Idyllwild Water and Robert Hewitt, Lou Padula and Joel Palmer of Pine Cove encountered no competition in their decision to continue their roles with their local water districts. Consequently, both districts will be spared the cost of an election.
