IRVINE : First Candidate Files for Council Election

With about a week to go before the filing deadline, one resident has submitted nomination papers to run for one of two open City Council seats on the Nov. 3 ballot.

But if everyone who have taken out papers for council and mayor returns them, the ballot could be the largest since the city’s first election in 1971. As of Friday, 15 residents had taken out papers to run for City Council and three for mayor.

Filing his papers first was George A. Gallaher, a newcomer to Irvine politics. Gallaher could not be reached Friday for comment.

The filing deadline for council and mayor normally would be next Friday. But the deadline automatically will be extended to 5 p.m. Aug. 12 if all incumbents in the race don’t file for reelection.

Mayor Sally Anne Sheridan has said she will not run again, as has Councilman Bill Vardoulis. However, Vardoulis took out nomination papers last month to run for mayor.

Other residents expressing an interest in running for mayor by taking out nomination papers are former Irvine school board member Helen Cameron, frequent council critic Marc Goldstone, Leslie Racey and Anthony Radovcich.

Nomination papers require the candidates to gather signatures of at least 20 registered voters. Residents who take out nomination papers do not always return them.

Besides Gallaher, taking out papers for City Council were:

John Boardman; Kenneth Bruner, a city transportation commissioner; Philip Bui, a UCI student; David Epstein, a former Santa Monica city councilman; George M. Gallagher, a member of the slow-growth group Irvine Tomorrow; Chris Mears, a former chairman of Irvine Tomorrow; Bruce Peotter; Dale Peterson; Patrick Rodgers, an Irvine police lieutenant; Christina Shea, chairwoman of the city Community Services Commission; Michael Ward, a planning commissioner; and incumbent Councilwoman Paula Werner.