By Philip Haldiman | The Arizona Republic
When newly elected Cave Creek Town Council members are seated after this spring’s election, they will have more time than usual to get things done.
The next council terms will be 3 1/2 years instead of two years because of a new state law. The law requires all candidate elections must take place in the fall of even-numbered years.
Cave Creek’s first November election will take place in 2016.
In the meantime, municipalities were allowed to either extend or shorten their terms in an effort to eventually align with the new election cycle.
Cave Creek voted to extend the upcoming council term and then return to two years in the next election.
This year’s election is March12.
Town Attorney Marlene Pontrelli said a council vote last November allowed the town to conform with the state law.
“All we are doing now, as did Carefree and other municipalities that have terms expiring in two years with spring elections, is extend it to the next election cycle,” she said.
This year, 11 candidates are running for council:
Adam Trenk, Rose Law Group lawyer, former town councilman.
Shelley Anderson, incumbent.
James Bruce, incumbent.
Ernie Bunch, incumbent.
Mike Durkin, an electronic engineer.
Dick Esser, incumbent.
Steve LaMar, incumbent.
Thomas McGuire, incumbent.
Reg Monachino, planning commissioner.
Charles Spitzer, technical support for a Boston-based computer company.
Eileen Anne Wright, retired.
In addition, Mayor Vincent Francia is running unopposed.
