Controversy over election petitions

ASHTON — In an unexpected turn of events, three candidates running for Ashton Village Board will not appear on the spring ballot due to a technicality.

Mayoral candidate Don Ross and two trustee candidates, Andrew Kida and Richard Russell, turned in petitions to run for election but did not include receipts that prove they filed statements of economic interest with the Lee County Clerk’s office. Thusly, all three will be forced to run as write-in candidates in the April 9 election.

Ashton Mayor John Martinez said he was bound by law to pursue the review of petitions filed by area candidates or face possible charges for not revealing his knowledge of incomplete petitions.

For the complete article see the 01-09-2013 issue.

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