City Council candidates to take part in forums
Meetings set for Tea Party, chamber and Rotary
Candidates running in the Yuma City Council primary election will be sharing their views on local issues in upcoming forums.
Some of the candidates will speak at a Colorado River Tea Party meeting on Thursday, a forum presented by the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce on Aug. 1, and a Rotary meeting on Aug. 6.
In addition, the Yuma Sun will publish questionand-answer profiles of each candidate beginning July 25.
The candidates for council are Jason Bradley, Chris Morris, Robert Scarborough, Mike Shelton, Ema Lea Shoop and Edward Thomas.
Jenny Farmer-Umphress, who is seeking to retain her seat as municipal judge, is unopposed.
The Colorado River Tea Party meeting on Thursday, from 6-7:30 p.m., will feature councilmen Mike Shelton and Edward Thomas, both of whom are running for reelection. The nocost meeting will take place at Community Christian Church, 6480 E. Highway 95 (in the last building behind the church).
The Tea Party has already heard from three candidates, Morris, Scarborough and Shoop. Bradley has not responded to requests, chairman Gilbert Hernandez said. The group will also hold a candidate forum before the general election.
On Aug. 1, from 11:25 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce’s Legislative Affairs Committee will present a candidate forum during a Lunch and Learn event at the Yuma Civic Center, 1440 W. Desert Hills Drive.
The six council candidates will answer questions from the chamber’s Board of Directors and attendees. The candidates will have the opportunity to rebut and respond to other candidates’ answers.
Tickets are $20 for an individual ticket or $400 for a sponsored table of eight. Additional seating will be provided at no charge for those who choose not to eat lunch.
The Yuma Rotary Club is inviting the public to join members for lunch and an opportunity to meet council candidates in a panel forum set for 12-1 p.m. Aug. 6. Yuma Golf and Country Club, 3150 S. Fortuna Ave. The cost of lunch is $15.
Each candidate will be given one minute to introduce themselves. After introductions, each candidate will be asked two questions and given the opportunity to provide their answers.
IMPORTANT DATES
Yuma voters will head to the polls on Aug. 27 to fill the open seats in the primary election. Early voting begins July 31.
Candidates may be elected to office in the primary if they receive a vote of 50% plus one among the ballots cast. In the event that seats remain open following the primary election, the city will hold a general election on Nov. 5.
Those elected to these positions would each serve a four-year term beginning Jan. 1. Yuma elections are nonpartisan. Seats are held at-large and council candidates are not bound to specific geographic areas.
The open council seats are currently occupied by Shelton, Thomas and Jacob Miller, who is not seeking reelection.
Write-in candidates for the primary election have until July 18 to file nomination papers. For more information, call the City Clerk’s Office at 928-3735037.
The registration deadline to vote in the primary is July 29. To register, go to www.servicearizona.com.
To request voter assistance for the primary, contact the Yuma County Recorder’s Office by 5 p.m. Aug. 16. Disabled or ill voters may send a written request or call the recorder’s office to have a ballot personally delivered to their home by a special election board. For more information, call the Recorder’s Office at 928-373-6020.