Publication Date: Wednesday Aug 11, 1999

ELECTION '99: Local races are drawing a crowd

Local residents will have to wade through a sea of candidates when they go to the polls Nov. 2, although the filing deadline for a number of races has been extended until today because an incumbent chose not to run.

The Palo Alto Unified School District, Sequoia Union High School District, West Bay Sanitary District and East Palo Alto Sanitary District all have contested races.

The two sanitary districts have both gone through considerable turmoil over the last year or so and promise to have lively races.

Three seats are open on the Palo Alto school board, with only one incumbent seeking re-election, causing the deadline to be extended: Mandy Lowell, an attorney.

Barbara Spreng, a long-time volunteer in the schools and nonprofit organizations.

Gail Price, a Sunnyvale city planner.

John Tuomy, an incumbent and recently retired president of a software company.

Shelby Valentine, a special education activist and long-time school volunteer.

In Menlo Park, the sanitary district race for three seats has drawn six candidates, with the deadline extended:

Finn Halbro, an engineer.

Harry Harrison,a retired teacher and former Menlo Park Planning Commission member.

Cynthia Herning, an antique dealer.

John B. Lomax, an engineer/manager/genealogist.

Ronald Shephard, a businessman.

David A. Walker, an engineer.

The East Palo Alto Sanitary District has six candidates, including three incumbents, vying for three seats:

Peggy Argus, a business coach.

A. Peter Evans, a business owner and incumbent.

Niambi Lincoln, an incumbent and occupational health worker.

Samuel Rasheed, an incumbent and board president.

Belinda Rosales, an office manager.

Jacqueline Wallace Green, a business assistant.

The Sequoia Union High School District has a large slate of six candidates for three seats, with the deadline extended:

Raymond M. Bell Jr. of Redwood City, a staff engineer.

Christina Farber, a Realtor.

Don Gibson of Belmont, a president/CEO.

Olivia Martinez of Menlo Park, a college vice president.

Lorraine Rumley of Redwood City, a business manager.

Allene Sieling of San Carlos, an incumbent.

In the Menlo Park Fire Protection District, two candidates have declared for two seats, with the deadline extended:

A. Erwin Erickson, an incumbent.

Bart Spencer, a safety consultant.



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