The deadlines for candidate filings in local races have brought a few late comers to our ballots. Six candidates are vying for the three seats up for grabs on Twentynine Palms City Council. Standing for re-election are incumbents Dan Mintz and Jim Harrris, with challengers Bill Easter, McArthur Wright, John Cole, and Adam Lunn joining the fray. The Yucca Valley Town Council has no shortage of candidates with nine: incumbents Bob Leone and Merl Abel, and challengers Charles McHenry, Ron Cohen, Rick Denison, Lori Herbel, Susan Simmons, Jeff Drozd, and Bryan “Dean” Watson. All three incumbents are running for re-election for the Hi-Desert Water District—Sheldon Hough, Roger Mayes, and Dan Munsey—as well as challengers Gina Orban and Margo Sturges. Filing candidacy papers for the Hospital’s Board of Directors are Paul Hoffman and Marge Doyle, and appointed incumbent Joseph Sullivan, who is running for the short-term seat. None of them face any challengers. In the Joshua Basin Water District, appointed incumbent Bob Johnson faces challenges from Steven Whitman and Don Wiechert for the single 2-year term that will be on the ballot. There are two 4-year terms to be filled as well, with incumbents Victoria Fuller and Gary Wilson being joined by challengers Richard Fountain and Rebecca Unger in the contest for those posts. Five people have filed for the election to fill two seats on the Morongo Unified School District Board of Education. They are incumbent Chris Proudfoot, plus Cindy McVay, Hilary Slotta, Gary Horn, and Doris Lawless.
