The deadline has come and gone for candidates to file nominating petitions for a seat on the Tusayan Town Council. The primary election is July 21st. Unless someone files paperwork before May 22nd to run as a write in candidate, Mayor Clarinda Vail, Councilman Josh Collet, and Councilwoman Elena Villanueva will be unopposed. All three handed in their nominating petitions on or before the March 23rd deadline.

While there are three candidates on the ballot so far, there are four seats to be filled. Councilman Andrew Aldaz did not file nominating paperwork. If no write in candidate steps up,  it would up to the Town Council to fill the vacancy.

Mayor Vail said, “I'm really happy with the work that the council has been doing thus far, and I want to continue that momentum and finish a lot of the projects that we've started.”

That momentum includes progress on flood control, building community unity and events, a Town Library , and Tusayan’s summer youth program.

“We're growing. We're growing on our opportunities. They're still small compared to a big town, of course, but where there were none of those things, we're growing those services.”

And she enjoys working with the new Town Council, “Because they're all hard working, they all care so much for our community. What Andrew (Aldaz) started in the community awareness meetings. Having a community nurse. It just goes on and on of things that were not a priority with the past council. Giving back to our community that is a priority to this council. I'm proud to serve with these people.”