Filing deadline is today for Riverbank candidates

RIVERBANK -- Riverbank residents have until 5 p.m. today to file for candidacy in the June 4 special election for a City Council vacancy.

The election is for a seat vacated by Richard O'Brien's election as mayor in November. The council term will run to late 2014.

As of Thursday afternoon, only Cal Campbell had returned the nomination papers needed to become a candidate. Adam Lema, Timothy DeWitt and Jeremy Fennell have pulled papers but not returned them.

The city is going through with the election even though Stanislaus County officials declined this week to conduct it. They contend that the city did not call for the election at least 114 days before the vote, as required by state law.

Riverbank plans to contract with another party to handle the election.

Candidates can file at the city clerk's office, 6707 Third St. For more, call (209) 863-7198.