Just four days into the filing period, the El Cerrito City Council race is already starting to warm up with three potential candidates having taken out nomination papers this week.
Former El Cerrito Councilman Mark Friedman, who served on the council from 1997 to 2004, took out papers Thursday afternoon, according to City Clerk Cheryl Morse.
were former Councilwoman Jan Bridges and incumber Mayor Pro Tem Greg Lyman.
Friedman said he is seeking to serve on the council again because of the challenges currently facing the city. Friedman is CEO of First 5 Alameda County, which provides services for young children.
"El Cerrito is a wonderful place to live and we face a critical time as the state continues to raid local government," he said. "This makes it harder to maintain the quality services El Cerrito citizens depend on. I have the experience and skills to help guide the city through this period."
Three seats on the five-member council are being contested. They are held by Lyman, Ann Cheng and Mayor Bill Jones. Jones, who has served two terms, said he's not seeking re-election, and Cheng, who's finishing her first term, said she has not yet decided. Lyman also is finishing his first term.
The deadline for filing the nomination papers is Aug. 10.
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