Tag Archives: Elections

Official list of write in candidates for Coconino County

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UPDATED: August 8, 2012

FLAGSTAFF—The list of write in candidates is final and following is that list. We tried to find the web sites of the candidates to add. If your web site is not listed, please leave a comment on this article.

At the TEA party meeting on Monday, the campaign manager for Gary Robbins explained the procedure for writing in a candidate is to write in the name of the candidate and darken in the oval.

Patty Hansen of the Coconino County Elections office advised in an email that it does not matter if you write first name last or vice-versa, or even if you misspell the name. If the write in board can determine the intent of the voter, it counts as a vote for that candidate. It is helpful, however, to be as accurate as possible.

She also notes that you can request to have an early ballot be mailed to you by going to www.coconino.az.gov/elections or call 928-679-7860 or toll free 800-793-6181. The deadline to request an early ballot be mailed to you is 5 pm on August 17th.

This applies to writing in all candidates for office. Ensure you write their name in the appropriate slot on the ballot and darken in the oval.

This list applies to current write in candidates for the primary only. Write in candidates must have registered with the Coconino County Elections office by July 18th. A write in vote for a person who has not registered and is not on this list will not be counted. Anyone wishing to vie for an office in the General Election in November may still register as a write in for that election.

OFFICIAL WRITE-IN CANDIDATES FOR FEDERAL, STATE & COUNTY OFFICES

AUGUST 28, 2012 PRIMARY ELECTION

U.S. Senate

Libertarian
VICTOR, MARC

Republican
ACLE, LUIS
LYON, JOHN

U.S. Representative in Congress – District No. 1

Libertarian
ALLEN, KIM

Corporation Commissioner

Green
MEADOWS, THOMAS
POUT, DANIEL

Libertarian
GOHL, CHRISTOPHER

Sheriff

Republican
DAVIS, GLEN

Judge of the Superior Court – Division V

Libertarian
HAUSER, STEVE
LODGE, JOE

Republican
ROBBINS, GARY

Sales tax increase initiative to go before Supreme Court.

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PHOENIX—Secretary of State Ken Bennett will appeal a lower court ruling on the Quality Education and Jobs initiative to the Supreme Court of Arizona. This initiative would continue the 1% sales tax increase placed on the ballot by Governor Brewer three-years ago and which has ended. The tax increase was promoted to save jobs—union government jobs—and several were cut anyway after the measure passed.

The initiative was denied by the Secretary of State because the official copy of the initiative did not match the copy attached to the petition assigned by voters.

The chairman of the Quality Education and Jobs committee—Ann-Eve Pederson—complained that Secretary Bennett’s decision was “really unfortunate” and charged that he was bending to the will of groups opposed to education. It is more likely that there are no groups opposed to education as much as they are opposed to the quality of education provided no matter how much money is thrown at it.

It is reported that 71% of eighth graders are below proficiency in math which seems to prove that the 1% sales tax does not add up. Many schools do not properly teach civic duties and rights under the Constitution of the United States of America.

Ken Bennett originally wrote in an op-ed that he would abide by the lower court ruling which violates the laws on initiatives. He decided to fight the decision because he felt that leaving this decision in place would lead to future abuses. He claims that his office follows the laws exactly.

The initiative passed three-years ago by approximately 24% of the voters. In Arizona a majority of those who cast a vote is all that is necessary to pass an initiative, not a majority of the registered voters. Only about 35% of registered voters cast a vote in that election. This is why it is important to vote to offset the union vote.

More write in candidates for August 28th

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FLAGSTAFF—Flagstaff Attorney Gary Robbins announces his write-in candidacy for Division 5 of the Coconino County Superior Court as a Republican. Republican write in candidates need at least 361 voters to write in their names on the ballot to be listed on the November election ballot.

Mr. Robbins joined the race because he is outraged that Cathleen Nichols would use a technicality to have incumbent Judge Joe Lodge removed from the primary ballot, leaving herself as the only person on the General Election ballot. Mr. Robbins states that the voters of Coconino County deserve a choice, and right now, the voters don’t have a choice.

“Although the Governor, Coconino County voters and Coconino County Superior Court judges have rejected Cathleen Nichols’ quest for Coconino County Superior Court judge on four prior occasions in 2010, Ms. Nichols is again attempting to become a Superior Court Judge. However, this time, to ensure her success, she has successfully knocked the incumbent opponent off of the primary ballot on a technicality,” his press release stated.

A July 13 article in the Arizona Daily Sun, indicates that Joe Lodge, a Democrat, may be running as a write in candidate on the Libertarian ticket.

Lodge would need only 15 write in votes, but unlike the Republican primary only Libertarians can vote in the Libertarian primary. An independent or non-partisan voter may go into the polls August 28th and ask for the ballot of any of the other major parties and vote in that primary. Thus, independents can write in Gary Robbins on the Republican ballot.

“A candidate for judicial office should not take the position to take away the voter’s choice,” Lodge said of Nichols. Cathleen Nichols is currently serving as Justice of the Peace in Flagstaff.

Mr. Robbins, a resident of Coconino County for almost 20 years, has been practicing law for 35 years. Instead of hearing traffic tickets in the Flagstaff Justice of the Peace Court for the last seven years, Mr. Robbins has practiced law in the Arizona Superior Court as a trial attorney for the last 31 years, appearing in thousands of hearings, after serving for nearly two years as a Staff Attorney for the Arizona Court of Appeals where he wrote draft opinions for the Court to issue.

The only other Republican candidate in the county is Glen Davis who is running for the office of Sheriff of Coconino County as a write in candidate.

Tampering with political signs illegal

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WILLIAMS—Election time seems to bring out the prankster or just plain viciousness of people. That can probably be traced in part to the campaign ads that declare a candidates qualification for office is that they are not as bad as the other guy and not what they intend to do for the country or their knowledge of the Constitution.

During the campaign for Justice of the Peace in Williams some years ago, someone drew lewd objects on the signs of one of the candidates. In Williams recently two signs of Will Cardon were discovered in a trash can.

Arizona Revised Statute makes it illegal to remove or tamper with political signs for candidates and propositions except in certain instances. If a sign is placed on your private property without your permission, for example, you can remove the signs.

The period of effect for this law is from 45 days before a primary to 7 days after the general election.

The Law does not specify, but as a courtesy you could call the number on the sign and ask to have them picked up. In addition, a candidate, or organization supporting or opposing a proposition, should make every effort to ensure their signs are retrieved and properly disposed of after the general election. Signs can sometimes be found months after a general election cluttering up our land and forests.
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State Soverignty initiative generates buzz

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Open primaries may drive Legislature to special session

PHOENIX—The media is a-buzz with the initiative filed by Jack Biltis—with more than 320,000 signatures—which would allow Arizona citizens to, “to reject any federal action that they determine violates the United States Constitution.” This initiative comes on the heels of a referendum from the Legislature where we may see Arizona voters proclaim, “SOVEREIGN AND EXCLUSIVE AUTHORITY AND JURISDICTION OVER THE AIR, WATER, PUBLIC LANDS, MINERALS, WILDLIFE AND OTHER NATURAL RESOURCES WITHIN ITS BOUNDARIES”

According to the Arizona Daily Sun, the measure submitted by Jack Biltis is not just in response to the recent Supreme Court ruling on the takeover of the health care industry by the Obama administration, but the Bush PATRIOT act, as well.

“The only portion of government that has unlimited powers are the state governments and the people themselves,” Biltis is quoted as saying.

A referendum that was submitted to the Secretary of State by Republican members of the House and Senate is now Proposition 120. The bill is a response to Governor Jan Brewer vetoing several State sovereignty bills.
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Williams Independence Day parade takes over Route 66

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Crowd lines Route 66 in Williams waiting for the parade.


WILLIAMS—Dark clouds cooled off the small City of Williams, but did not damper one of the best parades in a number of years. The American Legion Cordova Post #13 led the parade which included local groups, the 108th Army Band and—it must be an election year—politicians. Smokey made an appearance and the Williams Fire Department brought out their fire trucks.

The American Legion Cordova Post #13 carries the colors to begin the parade.


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Candidates Sought for County’s School Boards

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FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Up to three seats each on school boards throughout Coconino County will be open for voters to fill on Election Day, Nov. 6.

County Superintendent of Schools Robert Kelty invites residents from throughout the County to consider serving their communities by seeking offices that help shape policies impacting our children’s future. All current terms end Dec. 31 and those elected serve four-year terms.

The following school districts will hold elections Nov. 6 to fill governing board openings:

• The Flagstaff Unified School Board will have three open positions, which are currently held by Chris Bavasi, Sarah Ells and Paul Kulpinski. A minimum of 201 nominating signatures must appear on a potential candidate’s petition forms and a nomination paper must be filed to seek one of these seats.

• The Fredonia Moccasin Unified School Board will have two open positions. Two of the positions are currently held by Jim Goodnow and Lamar Heaton. A minimum of five nominating signatures must appear on a potential candidate’s petition forms and a nomination paper must be filed to seek one of these seats.

• The Grand Canyon Unified School Board will have three open positions, which are currently held by Clarinda Vail, Peter Shearer and Luis Garcia. A minimum of six nominating signatures must appear on a potential candidate’s petition forms and a nomination paper must be filed to seek one of these seats.

• The Page Unified School Board will have three open positions, which are currently held by Sandra Kidman, Martha Natonabah and William Justice. A minimum of 39 nominating signatures must appear on a potential candidate’s petition forms and a nomination paper must be filed to seek one of these seats.

• The Williams Unified School Board will have three open positions, which are currently held by Herman Nixon, Thomas Ross and David Nenne. A minimum of 15 nominating signatures must appear on a potential candidate’s petition forms and a nomination paper must be filed to seek one of these seats.

• The Tuba City Unified School Board will have three open positions, which are currently held by Judy Begay, Linda Honahni and Marie Wheeler. A minimum of 46 nominating signatures must appear on a potential candidate’s petition forms and a nomination paper must be filed to seek one of these seats.

• The Chevelon Butte Elementary School District #5 School Board, will have three open positions, which are currently held by Richard Eng, Linda Blosser, and Trina Cooper. A minimum of three nominating signatures must appear on a potential candidate’s petition forms and a nomination paper must be filed to seek one of these seats.
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August 28th primary as important as the November election

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ARIZONA—The primary elections to select those candidates for the November ballot will be held August 28th. Candidates include federal, State legislative and county offices. Although the primaries are to select individuals from the major parties, Independents and Non-Partisan voters may vote in the primaries on that day. The procedure is simple. Voters registered as Independent and Non-Partisan can go to the polls and request a ballot for either of the established parties. The exception is the Libertarian party which has chosen to hold a closed primary election.

Federal offices

As of this writing the Democrats have one candidate for the office of United States Senator to replace retiring Senator Jon Kyl. Richard Carmona of Tuscon is the Democratic candidate.

The Libertarians have Sheila Bilyeu of Flagstaff running for the vacancy.

The Republicans have five hopefuls. Representative Jeff Flake and Wil Cardon of Mesa received the most petition signatures and the choice of the Republicans will probably be one of those. The other choices include Bryan Hackbarth of Peoria, Clair Ban Steenwyk of Buckeye—both of whom are on the ballot having received requisite petition signatures. John Lyon of Glendale is registered as a write-in candidate so those voting for him can write his name in the appropriate slot on the ballot.

Senator Kyl will narrowly escapes a recall attempt by Leonard Clark of Phoenix who has filed recall petitions against Jan Brewer and Carl Seel.

For Representative for Congressional District 1 the Democrats will select between Wenona Benally Baldenegro of Flagstaff and former Representative Ann Kirkpatrick.

The Libertarians have Anthony Prowell of Tuscon on the ballot.

The Republicans will have a choice of Patrick Gatti of Show Low, Jonathan Paton from Oro Valley and Wade Douglas, a business man from Sedona. Gaither Martin survived a court challenge by Jonathan Paton and is still on the ballot.

State Offices

As of this writing, Arizona Legislative District 6 will choose between Democrat Tom Chabin of Flagstaff and Republican Chester Crandell from Heber, Arizona—the only two candidates for State Senator.

For Representative for District 6 the Democrats will choose Doug Ballard of Parks and Angela Lefevre of Sedona. The Republicans will place Brenda Barton and Bob Thorpe as their candidates.
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Friends of the Williams Aquatic Center seeks board members

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WILLIAMS—The Friends of the Williams Aquatic Center (FWAC/Blog) is seeking volunteers to fill 2 Board of Director positions. The election will be held on Monday, March 19 at the Williams Youth Recreation Center from 6:30 to 8 PM.

The positions are open to any legal resident of the United States. You don’t need to be a resident of Williams to run. The positions are open to anyone desiring to assist the community.

The Board usually meets monthly between March and September in order to plan and hold fundraisers. The meetings are open to the public. This year’s goal is replacement of the PoolPak (the climate control system). They hope to do that with additional funding from grants. The mission of the FWAC is to return the Williams Aquatic Center to year-round operations.

For more information please contact Clare Hydock at 928-235-5321.

March 13th election results in Coconino County

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FLAGSTAFF — In the Mayoral race in Flagstaff, Jerry Nabours leads with 3632 votes followed by Al White with 3302. Paul Kulpinski received 1919 votes with Paul Reilly receiving 557. There were 38 write-in votes.

In Williams, Mayor John Moore took 66% of the vote over former mayor Ken Edes. Moore received 439 to Edes 218 votes with 41% of registered voters going to the polls.

When asked about the vote, a voter in Williams commented, “I didn’t know Edes had that much kin in Williams.”

Frank McNelly and James Wurgler were the top two people seeking City Council spots with 488 and 470 votes respectively. Bobby Patricca came in third with 314 and Craig Fritsinger received 297 votes making a run-off election between the two in the next election cycle.

In Fredonia, Alvin Johnson received 57% of the votes for city council over Dustin Riddle; 230 votes to 164.

In the Tusayan recall election, Robert Evans received two more than the 54 votes for Greg Bryan. Clarinda Vail received 54 to the 53 votes received for Al Montoya. In the recall of Cecily Maniaci, Craig Sanderson received 71 votes tallying to 85.54% against 12 votes for write-in candidates.

In the race for board members of the Kaibab Estate W. Fire District, Pat Whitted took 80 votes followed by Douglas Gorniak with 77. Robert Wilkins received 75 votes and Carol Miller and George Wallace tied with 74 votes each. Andy Velasquez received 19 votes.

This county-wide summary is based on non-canvassed results and they could change. For more detailed election results, go to the Coconino County Elections web site.