There are seven people running for two seats in the April 11 Arcadia City Council election: Sheng Chang, Charles "Chuck" Chivetta, Mary Dougherty, Vincent J. Foley, John S. MacDonnell, Gino Roncelli and Mark "Mickey" Segal.
Council member Gino Roncelli is unable to vote on race track decisions due to a conflict of interest. Some rival candidates for council question whether he should run for re-election.
The candidacy filing period opens Dec. 22 for two seats on the Arcadia City Council and for a newly configured city clerk's position. The terms for Sheng Chang and Mickey Segal will expire.
For the first time, the majority of the candidates in this April's City Council elections are Chinese immigrants. Seven candidates are vying for the three open seats. The candidates are Mayor John Wuo, Sheng Chang, Sho Tay, Shao Hua Wen, Peter Amundson, Bob Harbicht, and Pamela Blackwood.
Two incumbents, Sheng Chang and Mickey Segal, are seeking additional terms on the City Council. Businessman Sho Tay and former two-time Councilman Roger Chandler are hoping to unseat them.
Most of the seven candidates competing for two seats for the City Council support adopting a floor-to-area ratio, or FAR, in an effort to halt "mansionization."
As part of Arcadia's 2003 centennial celebration, each council member has served as mayor for a three-month period of time. Mickey Segal will lead the city for the last three months until after the April 13 City Council election.
Candidate Charles Chivetta stresses need to have open mind while serving as city councilman. This marks the fifth time that he has run for Arcadia City Council.
City Councilman Gino Roncelli, who was named last year to the board of directors of Santa Anita Park, will also join the board of the race track's parent company, MI Entertainment Corp.
The City Council reviews changes that would allow Santa Anita Park race track to operate the Frontrunner Restaurant and big screen TV year around and to allow for satellite TV wagering until 1:30 a.m. seven days a week.
In a Council meeting frought with political tension, Gary Kovacic was chosen for his second term as Mayor, and new-comer Mickey Segal was named Mayor pro tem.