Local races set for November election

What’s on the ballot? It might seem too early to ask that question, but September is the time to start reading about local measures and candidates to determine which to vote for.
Below is a list of the offices, measures and candidates that will appear on ballots in November. Voter pamphlet statements from many of the candidates are available at www.votescount.com. Over the next several months, the Press-Banner will write in detail about each local race.
 
Measure N
The County Transient Occupancy Tax, aka the hotel tax, would raise the tax on lodging facilities in the unincorporated area of the county by 1.5 percent, from 9.5 percent to 11 percent of the room rate. The additional revenue would go into the county’s general fund.
 
5th District County Supervisor (runoff following June primary)
Eric Hammer
Bruce McPherson
 
Scotts Valley Fire District (three four-year terms)
Jane Armstrong (incumbent)
Art Smith (incumbent)
Alan Smith (incumbent)
Lisa Ann Bustichi
 
Lompico County Water District (three four-year terms)
Bill Smallman (incumbent)
Richard Harrington (incumbent)
Lois Henry (incumbent)
Cheryl Trapp
Duane R. Davis
Gail A. Jones
 
San Lorenzo Valley Water District (two four-year terms)
Margaret Bruce (appointed incumbent)
Craig Austin
Stephen Swan
Randall C. Brown
 
Boulder Creek Recreation & Park District (three four-year terms)
Tess E. Fitzgerald (incumbent)
Brian Valdivia (incumbent)
Richard Chatoff
Michael Watson
Kimberly Main
 
The following candidates will be appointed in lieu of an election. In these cases, either no one challenged the incumbents or an incumbent did not file for office.
 
Scotts Valley City Council
Dene Bustichi
Donna Lind
Randy Johnson
 
San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District
Lea Dakota
Laura Dolson
 
Scotts Valley Unified School District
Sue Roth
Michael Shulman
Debbie Johnson (new trustee; incumbent did not file)
 
Bonny Doon Elementary School District
Julia B. Gaudinski
Jennifer Lynn Swift
 
Ben Lomond Fire Protection District
William “Biff” Beltz
Lisa M. Hill
Michael Ayers
Tom Maxson (two-year term)
 
Boulder Creek Fire Protection District
Jack Kuehl
Rick Rodgers
Robert Locatelli
 
Felton Fire Protection District
Robert L. Gelini
Steve A. Richmond
Ritch Cureton
 
Zayante Fire Protection District
Garry “Tick” Herceg
Kenneth Boynton
Lyle Fleming
 
Scotts Valley Water District
Chris Perri
Joe Miller