According to a potential official roll of candidates provided by the City, those individuals are: Jason Aula; Tom Benson, a Signal Hill planning commissioner; Larry Blunden, currently serving as the City’s treasurer; Carol Churchill, a former councilmember; Robert Copeland, the City’s existing city clerk; Maria Harris, resident; and Keir Jones, business owner.
As of press time, Los Angeles County officials had verified all the nomination paper signatures except Aula’s and Benson’s. Less than 20 verified signatures on any potential candidate’s paperwork would be cause for exclusion from the election.
Long-time councilmember Mike Noll, who has served six terms on the council, including five times as mayor, said he has decided to step down, leaving an empty seat to be filled.
“It’s time for a change,” Noll said in a recent phone interview. “It looks like we have some good candidates.”
Additionally, Helen Thomas had recently pulled nomination papers but failed to file those official papers by the City’s deadline of 5:30pm on Wednesday, Dec. 14.
Candidates with the most votes in Signal Hill’s municipal election on March 7, 2017 will fill three seats on the council for four-year terms.
The council has chosen consulting firm Martin & Chapman Co. to provide election materials and consultant services.
