July 19, 2002

Interest in public office increases after Sept. 11

By RAMONA TURNER
Sentinel staff writer

CAPITOLA — Local elections officials say the events of Sept. 11 have spawned renewed interest in holding a public office.

Dozens of potential candidates attended several candidate workshops the Santa Cruz County Elections Office held throughout the county.

Six people attended Wednesday’s session, while 20 people attended a similar one in Scotts Valley, 25 in Watsonville and 35 in Santa Cruz, elections officials said.

"This is going to be an exciting election," said Gail Pellerin, elections manager. "There’s a lot of new faces and 13 measures."

In the 2002 elections, there were 142 candidates in 34 contests, Pellerin said. The number of incumbents was not immediately available.

The candidate workshops taught perspective office holders the do’s and don’ts of running a campaign, as well as what to expect. Those who attended the sessions received a book listing the offices available and the important dates to remember.

The most important date? The deadline to file candidacy intent is Aug. 9.

At Wednesday’s workshop in Capitola, two attendees indicated interest in running for City Council, which has three seats up for grabs. Those belong to Councilmembers Stephanie Harlan, Dennis Norton and Bruce Arthur. While Harlan is the only incumbent to file papers of intent, rumor has it the other two will seek re-election.

Of the other workshop participants, two had interest in filling the three open seats on the Live Oak School District Governing Board, while one sought to be on the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency Board of Directors. One other person was undecided.

Anyone thinking about running for office can get a candidate handbook by calling 454-2060, visiting www.votescount.com, or stopping by the County Elections Department at 701 Ocean St., room 210 in Santa Cruz.

Contact Ramona Turner at rturner@santa-cruz.com.