Bastrop, Tx–Five candidates have filed for three open seats on the Bastrop City Council in an election set for May 9. The candidate filing period is open until March 9.
So far the sole candidate for the Place 1 council seat is Willie Lewis Peterson, better known as Bill Peterson, 58, He lives on MLK Jr. Blvd. and was in the news last year as a candidate for the Democratic nomination for Pct. 1 County Commissioner. Veteran Bastrop council member Dock Jackson won the nomination but was defeated in an extremely close election in November by GOP nominee Willie Pina.
Two candidates have signed up for the Place 3 city council seat. Camilo R. Chavez III, 38, will be on the ballot. “Cam” Chavez lives on Pecan Street and describes himself as a “regional wine manager” who has been a city resident for just more than a year. The second Place 3 candidate is Kay Garcia McAnally, 61, who runs a bed and breakfast inn at 503 Elm Street in the historic Bat Manlove house. She and her husband have lived in Bastrop more than four years.
The Place 5 council seat has also drawn two candidiates. Retired Episcopal priest Kenneth W. Kesselus, 61, has filed for a place on the city ballot. A Bastrop native, for many years he was rector of Calvary Episcopal Church in Bastrop and now lives on Church Street and works as an employee ombudsman for Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative.
Also seeking the Place 5 seat is Christy Jean Kosser, 56, who lists a Tahitian Village address. Her ballot application says she is retired, but from what position or occupation is unstated.
Current council members Willie DeLaRosa, Dock Jackson and Terry Sanders are ineligible for re-election because of a term-limits provision of the city’s home rule charter approved by voters in 2002.