By Kathleen Stinson | Queen Creek Tribune
The coming election in Queen Creek could result in a sizable shift in the composition of the Town Council with a new mayor a virtual certainty and five candidates vying for two other seats.
Mayor Gail Barney has chosen not to run for re-election after serving on Council since January 2002, when he was appointed to fill a vacancy. He has been mayor for three four-year terms.
In the Aug 2 Primary Election, Councilwoman Julia Wheatley is unopposed for mayor while incumbent Councilwoman Dawn Oliphant and four newcomers are seeking four-year terms to the two council seats. If two of those five candidates get more than 50% of all votes cast, they’ve won. If none of the candidates get more than 50%, a runoff will be on the Nov. 8 ballot.
Also on the ballot are two propositions: Propositions 464 (a permanent base adjustment) and Proposition 465 (a Southwest Gas franchise agreement).