5 candidates vie in Wellton vote Tuesday

Wellton voters will head to the polls Tuesday to fill four town council seats in the primary election. Four incumbents and a newcomer are seeking three four-year terms and one two-year term.

Candidates who receive more than half the votes will be automatically elected and will not have to run in the May 21 general election. Candidates who do not garner enough votes will runoff in the general election.

Incumbent Alejandro M. Bejarano is running unopposed for his second term. Bejarano, director of public relations for the Regional Center for Border Health, is seeking a two-year term, which begins July 1 and ends June 30, 2015.

Incumbents James L. Deermer, who is currently serving as mayor, Cecilia C. McCollough and Lisa J. Jameson and newcomer Victor Frankfather are vying for three four-year terms beginning July 1 and ending June 30, 2017.

Deermer, a trailer park owner, has been serving on the council for eight years and as mayor for the past four years.

McCollough, an RV park owner, has been serving on the council for four years.

Jameson, a teacher at Wellton Elementary School, was appointed to the council last year to fill the seat left vacant after Vice Mayor John Keith Milam retired. She is now seeking a full term.

Frankfather, a retired postal worker, is seeking his first term on the council.

Yuma County is running the election, with one polling place. Voters may cast their votes in the Council Chambers at Town Hall, 28634 Oakland Ave.

Voter registration for the general election closes April 22.

For more information, call the Yuma County Elections Department at 373-1014 or Wellton Town Hall at 785-3348.

Mara Knaub can be reached at mknaub@yumasun.com or (928) 539-6856. Find her on Facebook at Facebook.com/YSMaraKnaub or on Twitter at @YSMaraKnaub.