Residents take out papers for local races
Lewis eyes Treasurer job; two others eye City Council
BARSTOW • Several new potential candidates have emerged in Barstow’s local elections, with three new faces taking out filing papers at City Hall in recent days.
Gus Nassar and Raymond Jenkins both took out papers to run for City Council. A phone number listed for Nassar was disconnected, while Jenkins did not respond to a request for comment about his decision.
Planning Commission Chair Mike Lewis took out papers to run for City Treasurer, city records show. If Lewis were to win election in the Treasurer position, he would have to resign his seat on the Planning Commission, City Clerk Joanne Cousino said. Lewis owns Quigley’s restaurant at 2841 Lenwood Road and Fosters Freeze at 1580 W. Main St. Lewis could not be reached for comment Monday.
Anyone can take out nominating papers but not all will necessarily return them. That’s the case with Margarita Hood, a daycare owner who took out papers to run for City Clerk.
Hood said she plans on returning the papers without running for the position.
Hood, who has lived in Barstow for seven years since moving from Palm Springs, said she thought running for City Clerk would help her get a foothold into local politics. After she talked to City Clerk Joanne Cousino while taking out the papers to run against her, she changed her mind.
“I’m not one to take someone else’s position,” Hood said, adding that she respected Cousino and didn’t want to force her out for a position that pays a $500 per month stipend.
Cousino has served as city clerk since 1998. If she does not win reelection, Cousino would still be employed as the city’s Municipal Records Specialist, she said.
Hood said she hoped to eventually become involved in local politics but doubted she had the resources or visibility to compete in a City Council race.
“If there’s no changes in four years, I’m still here,” Hood said. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Retired police lieutenant Rich Harpole and Planning Commissioner Carmen Hernandez moved close to getting on the ballot, with both candidates returning completed forms that are now being verified at the Registrar of Voters office in San Bernardino. Councilman Tim Saenz also pulled papers to run for reelection and Mayor Pro Tem Julie Hackbarth-McIntyre began the process of running for mayor.
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