FLORENCE — After the mass resignation of all six members of Florence's City Council in March 2022, the city will hold a special election on Tues. Aug. 2 to fill the open seats.
The election will take place at the Emergent Campus Gymnasium at 215 N. Maple St. near Florence City Hall. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Kristal Wood, Anthony Esquibel, Brian Allen, Melissa Hardy, Mike Vendetti, and Allen Kinsley all submitted resignations in the spring stating that certain city circumstances were the reason.
The resignations came after former City Manager Michael Patterson was fired by the council back on Aug. 31, 2021. On Nov. 15, 2021, he was arrested at Denver International Airport on charges of stalking-emotional distress (Class 5 Felony), sexual contact - no consent (Class 1 Misdemeanor), and providing alcohol to a minor (Class 1 Misdemeanor).
One former City Council member stated that he didn't believe all six would have resigned had Patterson not been fired and arrested.
However, Mike Vendetti is on the special election ballot, hoping to return to his City Council position.
Voters in Florence can vote for two candidates in the respective ward that they reside. Any person who is unable to vote at the polls may contact the City Clerk's Office and request an absentee ballot application form.
Below is a list of the candidates running for City Council under their respective wards:
Ward 1
- James Vanhoutan
- Rudl Mergelman
- Kevin Bradley
- Anthony Puckett
Ward 2
- Matthew Stiefel
- Steve Wolfe
- Eric Hatfield
- Kathryn Johanna Nabors
Ward 3
- Mike Vendetti
- Gayle MacKinnon
- Deborah Gibson
For more information visit the City of Florence, CO Website
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