LAKE COUNTY – The fall races to fill seats on the city councils of Clearlake and Lakeport have filled up with a list of contenders to challenge the incumbents, according to reports from the city clerks on Friday.

There's also a big surprise in the Lakeport race, with the decision by Mayor Willis “Buzz” Bruns not to seek a third term.

Three seats will be up for election on each of the councils, according to Clearlake City Clerk Melissa Swanson and Lakeport City Clerk Janel Chapman.

On the November ballot in Clearlake are the seats held currently by Mayor Curt Giambruno, and Council members Judy Thein and Joyce Overton, Swanson said.

Swanson reported Friday that all three incumbents had filed their nomination papers and qualified for the November ballot by the deadline.

Also qualifying are James M. Reed, Bill Shields and Estella Creel, Swanson said.

In Lakeport, Chapman reported that the seats up for election are those held by Bruns, Bob Rumfelt and Roy Parmentier.

Chapman said those qualifying for the ballot included Parmentier and Rumfelt, and challengers Marc Spillman – a city planning commissioner who the council recently reappointed to the commission – as well as Suzanne Lyons and Virginia “Ginger” Ingersoll.

Chapman said George Spurr also turned in nomination papers but was a few signatures short and was attempting to get those.

Businessman Kenny Parlet took out papers but hadn't filed them by Friday, said Chapman. Leslie Miller also had pulled papers but he decided he was not going to run.

Lakeport's filing period was set to close on Friday, but with an incumbent – in this case, Bruns – choosing not to run for reelection, it extended the time to file until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 13, Chapman said. That additional time could allow the field to grow further.

Bruns said that, while he has enjoyed his eight years on the council, he didn't want to do four more.

“I'm just too damn old,” joked Bruns, 71.

He said his main reasons for deciding against seeking another term were personal, but he added his health is good. “There's just some issues that came up that made me make that decision.”

Bruns said he hopes someone will succeed him who wants good things for the city's future.

He said he's concerned about some council candidates he called “non-growth,” and added that in recent years the city has been enjoying some positive growth.

“I'd sure like to keep in going,” he said.

Anyone interested in running for Lakeport City Council should contact Chapman at 263-5615, Extension 12.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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