The RIRA Common Council wrapped up its formal business on Wednesday night of last week, looking forward to November's election, which will create what some call "the Common Council class of 2008."

At the meeting, Island House delegate Frank Farance announced that he will seek the presidency of the organization. The WIRE will publish statements of candidates for president and vice president in the October 25 issue, which will be published one day before nominations close, and four days before a Candidates Night at which contenders will address residents.

Meanwhile, the Residents Association (RIRA) is seeking candidates for 39 seats on its Common Council, as well as candidates for the Association's presidency and vice-presidency. All Island residents 18 and over are eligible to run for Common Council seats, and to vote in the election, regardless of nationality or citizenship. A one-year residency period is required to run for president or vice president.

The top spots are elected Island-wide. The rest of the Council members represent their buildings, apportioned according to population. Within the past few years, the number of Council seats has been expanded to provide for The Octagon and for new buildings in Southtown. It is likely the new "class of '08" will be expanding it further as Southtown construction continues.

Candidates for Council seats may nominate themselves, or be nominated by others; in any case, they must sign off to accept the nomination. Nomination forms are available at the Public Safety office and on line at nyc10044.com/election. The nominating period closes at 8:00 p.m. Sunday night, October 26, at midnight.

On Wednesday, October 29, candidates will speak to the community in a Candidates Night event at the Good Shepherd Community Center, at 8:00.

The Council meets at 8:00 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month except for a traditional summer break. Councilmembers are also expected to serve on a committee. They will hold office for two years, starting immediately after the November 4 election with the meeting of Wednesday, November 5. Their last meeting will be November 3, 2010, when they'll turn over the guidance of the Residents Association to "the class of '10" ¨C the new Councilmembers elected Tuesday, November 2, 2010.