Another prospective candidate for Durango City Council, current Councilor Olivier Bosmans completed his candidate affidavit on Friday. That makes five potential candidates who have went public with their intent to campaign.
The window for petitioning and signature gathering for prospective candidates for the April 1 City Council elections opened on Wednesday. Each candidate must acquire at least 25 signatures from registered electors in the city of Durango by 3 p.m. Feb. 4, Faye Harmer, city clerk, said.
Bosmans, 54, was elected to City Council in 2021 and April marks the end of his and his fellow councilor and current Mayor Jessika Buell’s first terms. Councilor Melissa Youssef is ending her second and final term in April. Altogether, three council seats are open for the taking.
Bosmans said his interest in a second term is to represent the people and businesses of Durango, and he stands for transparency and community engagement.
He earned a Master of Business Administration degree and an engineering degree in Europe and owns the international environmental consulting company Globos LLC. He has three children, all of whom were born in Durango and attended public schools.
In a bio on the city of Durango’s website, Bosmans said he is multilingual and has worked in international project management and environmental consulting, including with multinational companies. He has also served on the La Plata County Planning Commission and the Board of Adjustment.
As of Saturday morning, five prospective candidates have completed their affidavits, indicating an interest in running for City Council.
In addition to Bosmans, the anticipated candidates include Charles Elias, 41, who goes by Chris; Kip Koso, 58; Shirley Gonzales, 52; and Buell, 43, the current mayor.
cburney@durangoherald.com