CITY: ALL CANDIDATES CERTIFIED FOR MAY ELECTION

By Juan Montoya
After a hectic Friday and Saturday where the workers at the City Secretary's Office and the city's legal counsel hunkered down to decide whether the signatures on the petitions handed in by the eight candidates vying for three positions this May they reached a decision about mid-Saturday afternoon.
"All applicants for a place on the general municipal election of May 11, 2013 have qualified for a place on the ballot," a statement issued by the office of Estella Von Hatten.
In District 3, it will be Martin Sarkis, Debbie Portillo, David Belleperche, and Rosalio “Chalio” Rosales. Incumbent Melissa Zamora will not run for re-election.

District 4 incumbent John Villarreal  will face Letty Garzoria in that position, and two candidates, incumbent Rose Gowen and challenger Robert Uresti will run for the A-Large “B” position.
Sarkis and Gowen's signatures had been been certified prior to Friday because they had brought in their petitions early. All the others waited until the last day, (Friday) to bring their in.
Adding to the confusion was the fact that the consultant for elections and redistricting with the city had formulated a plan that at times divided some voting precincts and made it difficult to determine whether the voters had signed the petition lived in the district. Secretary office workers had to go over each address to make sure the address of the voter was legitimate. Candidates needed at least 100 certified signatures to get on the ballot.
On Monday, the candidates will draw for place on the ballot at the city secretary's office.