District 3 Applicants Can Pull Papers This Week

Talk about deja vu all over again.

District residents interested in applying for the second vacancy created by the death of John Kennedy can pull papers starting on Nov. 3.

The papers are available at the City Clerk’s office. Papers will be issued subject to confirmation of availability.  

Kennedy died in July a month after winning the June primary. His death created two vacancies that the City Council must fill separately.

The first vacancy, which covered the remainder of Kennedy’s current term, was filled in September when the City Council appointed Justin Jones to represent District 3.

The council chose Jones over Brandon Lamar and Lucious Smith. 

Lamar had lost to Kennedy in the June Primary. 

Earlier this month, several residents met at the Jackie Robinson Center and claimed the Council acted against the constitution by choosing Jones.

It is not known how many lawyers attended the meeting.  

According to the City Charter, the City Council has 75 days after Dec. 7 to fill a vacancy.

Current Vice Mayor Andy Wilson and Councilmember Jess Rivas originally were appointed to the City Council after Terry Tornek and Victor Gordo became Mayor respectively. 

Applicants must collect 25 signatures and pay the $25 fee.

Applicants must hand-deliver all completed materials no later than 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 1 to the Office of the City Clerk. No postmarks, email submissions, or faxes will be accepted. There is a $25.00 filing fee due at the time applications and nomination petitions are filed.