EUREKA SPRINGS -- Restaurateur James DeVito is among the "new" faces to step forward and announce his candidacy for the Eureka Springs City Council in the November election.

DeVito is running for the Ward 2 Pos 1 seat, better known as the seat vacated last year by Charlotte Buchanan and the source of much contention after Pat Matsukis was voted to fill it on Dec. 10, 2007, a vote immediately vetoed by Mayor Dani Joy.

A trio of aldermen has joined in a lawsuit filed against Joy alleging she abused her powers by vetoing the appointment.

"I just want to be a council person who can work with the mayor," DeVito said. "And I want to help the council develop a direction for the city."

Wofford to run for two seats

DeVito's opponent in the race for the position is electrician Charles Wofford, who has also registered to run for alderman for Ward 2 Pos 2.

Regarding the legality of running for two separate council seats simultaneously, Carroll County Clerk Shirley Doss said, "He said he talked to an attorney at the Arkansas Secretary of State's office, and that it was allowed. What the election commission will have to say about it is another story."

Byrd pledges to do business

City Advertising and Promotion Commissioner Alvin Byrd joined the race two weeks ago.

Byrd, who co-owns the Inn Convenience Store, A Byrd's Eye View Retail and A Byrd's Eye View Lodging, said he is excited about running.

"It's time to take care of city business, and it's time to focus on the solutions, not the problems," Byrd said.

Byrd will be running for the Ward 2 Position 2 seat.

Byrd's opponents for the seat are Charles Wofford and Robert "Butch" Berry.

Berry, the newest member of the beleaguered Planning Commission, will have to give up that position if he wins the council seat because regulations prohibit anyone occupying positions on both Planning and council.

Asked his thoughts about the possibility of having to step down from Planning, Berry said, "With a council in place that is willing to work with the mayor, I think we'll have no shortage of qualified, concerned people coming forward to fill those positions."

The candidates by ward

*Ward 1 Position 1: Mickey Schneider and Robert Wagner

*Ward 1 Position 2: Patrick Brammer and Melissa Greene

*Ward 2 Position 1: James DeVito, Charles Wofford

*Ward 2 Position 2: Alvin Byrd, Charles Wofford and Robert "Butch" Berry

*Ward 3 Position 1: Joyce Zeller, Lany Ballance

*Ward 3 Position 2: Beverly Blankenship