Oct 5, 2008 12:46 pm US/Pacific
2 Supes, 5 Council Seats On Napa Co. Nov. Ballot
NAPA CO. (BCN) ―
Two well-known Napa County public safety officials are vying for one of two supervisor seats on the November ballot.
There also are contested mayoral elections in Calistoga, St. Helena and American Canyon and council races in five of the county's municipalities.
Retired American Canyon fire Chief Keith Caldwell is running against former Napa County Sheriff Gary Simpson for the Fifth District seat on the board of supervisors now held by Harold Moskowite.
Incumbent supervisor Mark Luce and former Napa City Councilman Harry Martin are running for the Second District seat on the board.
Simpson, the county's sheriff for 20 years, said relieving traffic congestion, limiting growth to urban areas and reasonably priced housing for workers in Napa County are priority issues. He has pledged to give back his salary as supervisor to charity groups.
Caldwell was chief of the American Canyon Fire Department between 1990 and his retirement in 2007. He lists transportation, education, practical growth, workforce housing and public safety as key issues in the county.
Luce served as a planning commissioner and Napa City Council member. He lists a thriving agricultural economy, wise spending of tax dollars and a safe community as his priorities.
Martin, a Napa City councilman for 12 years, publishes the Napa Sentinel.
In Calistoga, Mayor Jack Gingles is running for re-election against Councilman Gary Kraus and physician Norman Wall, who was chief medical officer at the Veterans Home in Yountville.
Calistoga City Councilmembers Michael Dunsford and Karen Slusser are running against James Barnes, a retired insurance representative for two seats on the City Council.
American Canyon Mayor Leon Garcia faces a challenge from Morris Curry Jr., a community activist and a chaplain at San Quentin State Prison.
American Canyon Councilmembers Joan Bennett and Cindy Coffey face re-election challenges from Matt Pope, an appointee to the city's planning commission, and James Walker, a Napa Valley College student.
In Yountville, incumbent Town Councilman Lewis Chilton is running against Jay Caldwell, scientist Marjorie Mohler and Chris Pommerening for two seats on the council.
Yountville voters will also consider Measure M. The measure prevents the Town Council from issuing revenue bonds with an aggregate outstanding amount greater than $2 million without the approval of a majority of voters unless it is necessary to comply with state or federal orders or for emergencies.
St. Helena Mayor Del Britton is running for re-election against Councilwoman Bonnie Schoch. Councilman Joe Potter, former Mayor Ken Slavens, property manager Caterina Sanchez and former Councilman Sampson Bowers are running for two seats on the council.
Napa Mayor Jill Techel is running unopposed for re-election. Napa Councilmen Mark van Gorder and James Krider are running for re-election. Amy Martin, former Napa Councilman Harry Martin's daughter, is running against them for one of the two available seats.
(© CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Bay City News contributed to this report.)
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