Candidates have filed to run for all five Islamorada Village Council seats up for election in March 2010, and the field so far includes four incumbents, a former mayor and three past candidates.</p><p>In Seat 1, current Mayor Don Achenberg is running for a second two-year term against challenger Paul Bates, who ran unsuccessfully against Achenberg in 2008.</p><p>In Islamorada, candidates run for seats that are not tied to geographical areas.</p><p>Achenberg, a retired trucking company owner, was appointed in 2006 after then-Councilwoman Patty Schmidt stepped down.</p><p>Achenberg won election in 2008 over Bates, owner of Coconut Cove Resort on Windley Key, by a margin of 1,045 votes to 731 votes.</p><p>In Seat 2, incumbent Jill Zima Borski is seeking a second two-year term. She is being challenged by fishing captain David Purdo, who in 2008 lost a three-way race for Seat 3 held by current Councilman Dave Boerner.</p><p>Boerner said he is not seeking re-election to a third term in 2010.</p><p>Zima Borski, a writer and former public information officer for Islamorada, first won election in 2008 over Rod Halenza, 1,005 votes to 760 votes.</p><p>Halenza, former owner of Tavernier Lawnmower, has filed for Boerner’s open Seat 3 and is so far unchallenged.</p><p>In Seat 4, Councilwoman Deb Gillis is seeking her first election after she was appointed this past July when former Councilwoman Cathi Hill stepped down.</p><p>Gillis, a hotelier, is being challenged by Bob Johnson, who served on the council from 2002 to 2006 and as mayor in 2006. Johnson said he did not run again in 2006 due to health concerns.</p><p>In Seat 5, incumbent Michael Reckwerdt is running for a fourth term and has not yet drawn a challenger.</p><p>Reckwerdt, owner of Robbie’s Marina, was first elected in 2004 and re-elected in 2006 and 2008. Council members can serve a maximum of eight consecutive years.</p><p>Of the current candidates, only Bates and Halenza have filed campaign finance reports.</p><p>Bates reported a $2,000 loan to himself and $200 in expenses for a campaign sign permit and deposit with the village.</p><p>Halenza received a $20 contribution from Kristi Halenza and $50 contribution from resident Dick Avery.</p><p>Candidates officially qualify to run by submitting 50 resident signatures by noon Dec. 8 or paying $480 from noon Jan. 5 to noon Jan. 12.</p><p>Candidates file qualification and campaign documents, including expense reports, with the village clerk, not the Supervisor of Elections Office. The elections office staffs and administers the voting.</p><p>The election is March 9. A runoff would take place April 13 if more than two candidates run for a particular seat and one candidate doesn’t receive more than 50 percent of the votes cast.