Many, but not all, elections in western Palm Beach County settled already
With multiple public office seekers going unchallenged, the spring election season in Palm Beach County's western communities promises to be quiet.
Royal Palm Beach
Two of the five seats on Royal Palm Beach's village council are up for grabs, but the contest is already over.
With no opponents to challenge their re-election bids, incumbents Richard Valuntas and Jan Rodusky will keep their positions for another two-year term. Village council seats are not restricted by term limits and next year will mark the start of the fourth consecutive term for both council members.
Valutas, who is the state's assistant attorney general, first served in the council from 2010 to 2016, before being unseated in an election. Then in 2017 he was elected to a different seat and has represented the village's Group 2 ever since.
Rodusky was first appointed to fill a vacancy in the council in 2016 and was elected to serve a full term a year later. She owns Venn There Grants Consulting, a company that specializes in grant writing.
More Royal Palm news:Royal Palm Beach's growth: Tuttle Royale 'social district' wins first approval from village
Wellington
No elections are scheduled in Wellington until 2024 when the village mayor Anne Gerwig's second term expires and the seats of Michael Drahos and Michael Napoleone open for vote.
More Wellington news:How Wellington is growing: Planners endorse Mark Bellissimo's 'Equestrian Village' proposal
Belle Glade
In Belle Glade, two commission seats are in play.
Zayteck Marin, who served as the executive secretary for Belle Glade's city manager until 2021, is running for Seat A against Stanley Highsmith, a retired U.S. Army veteran.
Mayor Steve B. Wilson will compete for Seat B against Robert Mitchell, founder of Muck City United Inc., a local non-profit that aims to boost civic participation in The Glades.
Wilson has held the position for 14 years and is also seeking to be re-appointed as mayor by the commission. Next year will mark Mitchell's fourth attempt at securing a seat in the local board. Seats in Belle Glade are held for three years and don't come with term limits.
More in Belle Glade:Finally home: Woman gets keys to new house year after losing everything in apartment fire
South Bay
Three of the five seats on the South Bay commission will be open for election next year.
Incumbent Esther Berry, who teaches psychology at Palm Beach State College, will face newcomer John Brockman, a self-employed contractor for Seat 1. Berry was elected to the commission in 2018 and is seeking a second term in office.
For Seat 3, incumbent Taranza McKelvin, a guidance counselor for the county's school district, is being challenged by Barbara King, owner of the local non-profit KTM Youth & Community Network. McKelvin has held the seat since 2013 and is vying to secure her sixth term while this is King's fourth run for office.
Two newcomers are vying for Seat 5. Albert Polk, a Pastor at Miracle by Faith Revival Center, faces George Sandiford, a retired South Bay resident.
South Bay city commissioners hold their seats for three years and are not subject to term limits.
More from South Bay:Season to Share: Losing 2 fingers in farm accident, father of 5 with special needs child struggles to provide
Loxahatchee Groves
In Loxahatchee Groves, incumbent Margaret Herzog, a retired teacher, secured a second and final three-year term with no opponents challenging her bid for re-election. The town limits council members to two terms each.
More from Loxahatchee Groves:Palm Beach State College will break ground for new dental school at Loxahatchee Groves campus in fall
Indian Trail
Voters in the Indian Trail Improvement District have re-elected district president Michael Johnson and newcomers Elizabeth Accomando and Patricia "Patty" Farrell.
No elections are scheduled in Pahokee or Westlake for March of 2023.
More:Indian Trail Improvement District: Accomando, Farrell, Johnson win seats on board
Valentina Palm covers Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, Loxahatchee and other western communities in Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post. Email her at vpalm@pbpost.com and follow her on Twitter at @ValenPalmB.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Election preview for Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, Loxahatchee, Glades
