The Nov. 4 ballot will be crowded with the names of 30 candidates vying for city council seats in Placer County, including a few political newcomers.
In Rocklin – where a citizens group sought challengers to longtime incumbents – seven candidates will fight for three spots.
Incumbents Brett Storey, Peter Hill and George Magnuson filed their candidacy papers, along with business owner Tiffany Wadell, regional transportation specialist Angela Torrens and small business owners Ed Rowen and David Nelson.
Torrens and Nelson are backed by Rocklin Citizens for Council Change, a group that formed after the City Council approved a controversial housing project in Clover Valley.
"There's something about Rocklin that is special, but it's also underperforming in regards to where it needs to be," Nelson said. "I've always believed we could do better as a city in planning, economic development, traffic control and the management of future growth."
Six candidates will compete for three seats in the Roseville City Council race.
Incumbents John Allard and Carol Garcia are both in the running.
Rene Aguilera, a Roseville City School District trustee, and Roseville Planning Commissioner Samuel Cannon have thrown their hats into the ring, along with former Mayor Pauline Roccucci.
George Muntean, a restaurant owner new to Roseville's political scene, also decided to run after receiving a ticket for a sign in front of his business.
"I'm curious what's going on over there and who's doing what," Muntean said. "I have nothing bad to say about anybody, I just think I have good ideas for the city, too."
In Lincoln, five candidates are looking to nab three spots on the council.
Incumbents Spencer Short and Tom Cosgrove are both running for re-election.
Small business owner Paul Joiner, Planning Commissioner Allen Cuenca and former City Councilman Stanley Nader are also seeking council seats.
Lincoln City Treasurer Sheron Watkins is running unopposed for her position.
Two seats are up for election on the Loomis Town Council. Incumbents Rhonda Morillas and Tom Millward are back on the ballot. They are being challenged by small business owner Gary Liss.
Liss could change the dynamics of Loomis politics. He is being endorsed by longtime Councilman Walt Scherer, who has clashed on issues in recent years with both the incumbents and with Mayor Russ Kelley.
Scherer and veteran Councilman Miguel Ucovich have frequently been allies on issues, and the potential election of Liss could swing a majority vote their way.
Also up for election are the Loomis town clerk and the town treasurer. The clerk, Charleen "Crickett" Strock, and treasurer, Roger M. Carroll, drew no opposition.
In Auburn, four candidates are vying for two council seats.
Keith Nesbitt, currently the mayor, is one candidate. The others are physician William Kirby, taxpayer advocate Dan Sokol and Lisa Worthington, who is an Auburn planning commissioner.
Running unopposed for the Auburn city clerk's position is incumbent Joseph Labrie. Also unopposed is the city's treasurer, George E. Williams.
In Colfax, three council positions are up for election, including one with a two-year term because of the resignation on July 2 of Jim Albright, who had been serving as mayor.
Only one candidate filed for the two-year seat, Donna L. Barkle, who described herself as a retired business manager.
Candidates for the four-year seats are incumbents Sherrie Blackmun and Kenneth A. Delfino, business owner Benjamin C. Roberts and retired marine engineer Steve Harvey.
Call The Bee's Jennifer K. Morita, (916) 773-7388.
