Humboldt County: Seats still open on various city councils in Humboldt; Filing papers due Friday in most cities

◼ Declaration of candidacy statements and nomination petitions are due by Friday at 5 p.m. in Arcata, Eureka, Fortuna, Rio Dell and Trinidad. - Megan Hansen, Grant Scott-Goforth and Thadeus Greenson/Times-Standard

Humboldt County Registrar of Voters Carolyn Crnich said there's a special statewide rule that comes into play if the incumbents on each city council don't file their paperwork by the set deadline. ”Then it is extended by five days,” Crnich said, adding that this means filing papers are due Aug. 15 in those cases.

In Fortuna, there are two city council seats up for election currently being filled by Mayor Douglas Strehl and Councilman Ken Zanzi. As of Wednesday, Jensen said, three people have filed papers with the city to run for office, including Strehl. She said Zanzi isn't planning to run for reelection, so papers for his seat will be accepted through Aug. 15 at 5 p.m.

In Arcata, the seats currently held by Mayor Michael Winkler, Councilman Shane Brinton and Councilwoman Susan Ornelas are up for grabs. All three have announced they are running for reelection. City officials said Wednesday that a total of seven people have taken out nomination papers, but only Winkler has filed.

In Blue Lake, there are three city council seats available to the public. The seats are currently held by Councilwoman Karen Barnes, Councilwoman Lana Manzanita and Councilwoman Michele McCall-Wallace. As of Wednesday, city officials said only one person -- Manzanita -- had filed papers. (In Blue Lake, officials said people have until 4 p.m. Friday to file their paperwork before the office closes)

In Eureka, two city council seats are up for grabs in the November election. The 4th Ward seat currently held by Melinda Ciarabellini is open. Ciarabellini was appointed in January 2011 by Mayor Frank Jager to fill his old seat after he won the mayoral election. She has already qualified for the November ballot -- having submitted signatures that were verified.

The 2nd Ward seat in Eureka currently held by Linda Atkins is also up for election. Atkins was elected in 2008, when she defeated appointed incumbent Polly Endert, and is finishing up her first term on the council. Atkins had not yet qualified for the November ballot Wednesday, but has announced her intention to seek reelection.

In Ferndale, there are three open seats on the city council, including the mayor's seat which is elected separately for a two-year term. The seats held by Mayor Jeff Farley, Councilman Stuart Titus and Councilman Ken Mierzwa are all available. As of Wednesday, City Clerk Kaytis-Slocum said no applications have been received for the two city council seats, which are for four-year terms. Only one application, from Titus, has been submitted for the mayor's position. (In Ferndale, City Clerk Nancy Kaytis-Slocum said people have until Monday at 4 p.m. to file their papers because the city's office is closed Friday.)

(I)n Rio Dell, the city seats currently filled by Councilman Frank Wilson and Councilman Jack Thompson are up for grabs. As of Wednesday, city officials said only the two incumbents had filed papers to run for office.

(In Trinidad), there are two seats up for election on the Trinidad City Council. The seats are currently held by Councilwoman Julie Fulkerson and Councilman Mike Morgan. The city clerk was unavailable for comment Wednesday, so it's unknown whether the two incumbents or any other candidates have filed election paperwork.