NewsBreak Original

[CASTLE ROCK, COLO.] — Residents interested in running for two Castle Rock Town Council member seats and the mayor in the town's Nov. 8 general election can now pick up petitions at town hall.

(L-R) (Sam Garrison, Attorney; Doug Benefield, John Hauber, Randy Anderson, Susana Thompson, Alan Watt, Sarah Campbell, Town Manager)Screenshot of 8/2 Orange Park Town Council meeting.

The Town of Orange Park has a new council member and vice mayor. Doug Benefield was sworn-in to vacant Seat 1 on the town council at Tuesday night’s meeting. In addition, Councilman Alan Watt was sworn-in as vice mayor.

(Parker, Colo.) Parker officials warn the town may need to raise taxes to meet its needs. Parker Finance Director Mary Lou Brown recommended the town consider raising taxes between 2025 and 2032 to meet projected expenses.

Three candidates have applied for the open seat on the Orange Park Town Council. Doug Benefield, Frank Ricketts, and Winnette Sandlin submitted their names by the July 8 deadline.

The four-member Orange Park Town Council took less than 20 minutes at Tuesday night’s meeting to discuss how and when the next member of the panel would be appointed. Just last month,Eddie Henley resigned from Seat 1 and the vice mayor position. Henley cited racism as the reason for his resignation. He said he received intimidation and hate emails after he spoke out about being passed over for mayor in May. Henley would’ve made history as the first Black mayor of Orange Park. Randy Anderson was reelected.

[CASTLE ROCK, COLO.] Whether elected, reelected or appointed, the next Castle Rock town council members will earn nearly twice as much as those already on the council. Current council members unanimously approved the first salary increase for local officials in 14 years at Tuesday night's meeting.

Mayor Randy Anderson (Left); Vice-Mayor Eddie Henley (Right)Town of Orange Park website. A member of the Orange Park Nuisance Abatement Board resigned following Tuesday night’s council meeting where Councilman Randy Anderson was re-elected mayor.

(Pinal County, AZ) — Senior Diversion Officer, mom, wife and Pinal County lifer Nicole Buccellato is throwing her hat into the Town Council’s ring. There are five people running for Florence’s three city council seats complete with a breadth of powers and responsibilities ranging from public safety and budgeting. Buccellato joins two other candidates — Cassandra Scherm and Jose “Mo” Maldonado — as first time political candidates. NewsBreak sat down(virtually) with Buccellato to discuss her life in Florence, her journey to the ballot and her plans if elected.

It’s no secret that Florence might be gearing up for one of the most interesting Town Council election seasons it's seen in a long time. New candidate on the ballot Cassandra Scherm uses the breadth of her personal and professional skills and titles to try her hand at local government.