Laguna Vista races heat up

By MARTHA McCLAIN
Special to the PRESS

Three incumbents and two political newcomers have filed for places on the Laguna Vista Town Council May election ballot as of Thursday morning.

Leti Keplinger, incumbent Place 4, and resident Nadine Smith are the latest candidates to sign up, according to City Secretary Alma Deckard.

Local citizen Jessica Hedrick, who filed earlier this month, is challenging Keplinger for her position on the Council. Smith is seeking Place 6, currently held by Richard Hinojosa.

An election to determine who will fill the three seats on the board is scheduled for May 9. The final date to file for a position on the Town’s ballot is Feb. 27, according to Deckard, who will serve as the Town’s early voting clerk.

The third position to be filled is Place Five, held by Gary Meschi, who had no opponent as of press time Thursday.

Early voting by personal appearance opens April 27 and will run through May 5, Monday through Friday at City Hall, 122 Fernandez St. from 8 a.m – 5 p.m.

Additionally, extended voting hours on evenings and weekends include Saturday, May 2  from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday, May 4 from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Tuesday, May 5 from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Applications for ballots by mail must be received no later than the close of business on April 30, according to the election order.

Keplinger has served three terms on the board, while Meschi was elected last year to fill the vacancy created when Rita Garcia left her position to seek the mayor’s post. Hinojosa was elected to his position in 2012.

The Town Charter requires that the election be conducted with the mayor and council members’ terms staggered with the seated board scheduled to run every three years for three-year terms, unless elected to fill an unexpired term. Council members are elected at large and by place.

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.portisabelsouthpadre.com/2015/02/27/laguna-vista-races-heat-up/

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