Turlock, Patterson and Riverbank have plenty of political candidates

Looking for the political hotbeds of Stanislaus County? Check out Turlock, Patterson and Riverbank, where contested local races are looming Nov. 4.

Politics are decidedly sleepier in Waterford and Hughson, where elected offices are going begging.

Turlock has seven candidates seeking two council seats, and could have more, because incumbent Beverly Hatcher did not file. That means the filing period is automatically extended to Wednesday.

When incumbents do not file for re-election, the filing period is extended so more candidates can file, but incumbents cannot file during the extension period.

Any extra filers will join incumbent Kurt Vander Weide, Jeffrey Anderson, Amy Bublak, DJ Fransen, Mary Jackson, Jeremy Rocha and Jim Sarnowsky.

City Treasurer Diana Lewis is running unopposed for re-election.

What causes the Turlock interest? A number of controversial issues, said Mayor John Lazar, who is not up for re-election.

They include where to locate a winter shelter for the homeless, budget cuts, funding for art and recreation and public safety spending, Lazar said.

"There's been a lot of discussion in the community of various issues," he said. "It will be a lively campaign, an interesting debate, and good for Turlock, I think."

In Patterson, there are three mayoral candidates and four council candidates vying for two seats.

Luis I. Molina and John D. Torres are challenging incumbent Mayor Becky Campo, and Victor M. Slonksnis and Jeffery J. Realini join incumbent council members Dominic A. Farinha and Annette Smith on the ballot.

Community activist Claude Delphia said the big issue for many is the massive West Park development southeast of Patterson. The 4,800-acre development would send up to 12 trains a day through the city en route to the Port of Oakland, and city officials fear it will disrupt area traffic and cause local air pollution problems.

None of the candidates has obvious connections to West Park developer Gerry Kamilos, Delphia said.

A series of events in the community over the past 18 months also has generated controversy, including anonymous Web sites critical of city officials, a YouTube video attacking West Side county Supervisor Jim DeMartini, and a term limits petition filed by newcomer Donna Worley, which has been rejected by the city.

In Riverbank, incumbent Mayor Chris Crifasi is being challenged by Councilwoman Virginia Madueño.

Madueño said the decision to run was difficult, because she is giving up her council seat, but the opportunity was too great to pass up.

"Either I run for it, or I sit back and wonder what if," she said.

Madueño said she would like to change the structure and dynamics on the council to be more receptive to public participation. The former Army ammo plant in Riverbank offers a great opportunity for job creation, she added.

Crifasi listed a number of issues the city faces, including the ammo plant, downtown revitalization, budget issues with the state and the regional transportation tax measure.

"I look forward to having someone to run against," he said. "At least the people in Riverbank will have an opportunity to hear both candidates."

The Riverbank City Council has just two candidates for two seats: incumbent David I. White and Ric McGinnis. That could change, however, because incumbent Madueño is giving up her seat, so the filing deadline will extend to Wednesday.

On the other end of the spectrum, Hughson had no one file for mayor, and just two candidates for two seats on the council. Filing for both offices will be extended to Wednesday because incumbent Greg Adams did not file.

In Newman, Ed Katen is the only candidate for mayor, although filing will extend to Wednesday because incumbent John Fantazia did not file. Filing will be extended for the two City Council seats as well, because only one candidate filed, Bob Martina.

There is a contest in Newman, however, for city treasurer, with incumbent David W. Reed and Keith Korsgaard filing.

Waterford also experienced a dearth of candidates, with Charlie Goeken the only filer for mayor, and incumbent Jose Aldaco the only candidate for two council seats. Both filing periods will be extended to Wednesday.

There is a contest for Oakdale City Council, with three people seeking two seats, but nobody wants to be treasurer, although the filing deadline will extend to Wednesday for that post. The council candidates are Nita Widen-Roberts and incumbents Tom Dunlop and Katherine Morgan.

The Yosemite Community College District has a contest in one trustee area and none in another.

Trustee Area 5, which covers Modesto, Ceres and Salida, has four candidates for three seats: incumbents Linda Flores, Tom Hallinan and Paul Neumann are joined by Michael Riley. Trustee Area 3 has just one candidate for one seat, incumbent Abe Rojas.

Bee staff writer Tim Moran can be reached at tmoran@modbee.com or 578-2349.