COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KOAA) — The Colorado Springs City Council is looking over 25 applications for an open spot on the council this week. The district two seat is vacant after Tom Bailey, who had been in office less than a year, resigned as he faced a recall effort.
- Watch News5's coverage of Bailey's resignation below:
Council members will be selecting applicants for interviews this week. If an applicant receives three or more votes from council members, they'll receive an invitation for an interview.
Former Council President Randy Helms, who held the seat before Bailey, announced Monday he would be withdrawing his application for the appointment. He told News5 he initially applied to bring stability to the council over the next year.
In a statement, Helms said, "politics and divisiveness have already overtaken the process."News5 received emails from some community members expressing their objection to Helms being appointed to the seat.
Bailey was the sole candidate in 2025, at one point he did face an opponent, Frank Chrisinger, who withdrew from the race early on.
The person appointed to the district two seat will serve until the next city election in 2027.
Typically only at-large city council candidates would be on the ballot, but in this case there will also be a special election for district two, the appointee would be allowed to run for the seat if they choose.
Council will make a decision on April 6, candidates will find out if they receive an interview on April 1.
The candidates who have applied for the seat are listed below:
- Jeremy Abbott
- Joseph Bate
- Horace Brown
- Polly Cambron
- Cindy Carter
- Thomas Carter
- Kenneth Casey
- Brian Clements
- Gregory Dahms
- Robert Grimes
- Stephen Jackson
- William Mierkey
- Anita Miller
- Richard Miller
- Shawn Murray
- Deborah Newman
- Eric Pershing
- Andrew Petersen
- Michelle Richart
- Jake Savala
- Daniel Jay Spohn
- John Stagg
- Lisa Townsend
- Karen Willis
- Robert Whited
This southeast Colorado reservoir completely dried out, taking away one of the best recreation spots
All that’s left of the Two Buttes Reservoir is a scattering of lifeless buoys, a rusty lawn chair, empty beer cans, and a number of fishing lures that have fallen into the water over the years.
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