Dec.31, 2009, From:www.sun-sentinel.com

The federal money-laundering sting and arrest that forced the resignation of Broward County Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion will have an impact on local elections March 9.

When Gov. Charlie Crist tapped Dania Beach Commissioner Albert C. Jones to take Eggelletion's place, the appointment created an opening on the city dais that may lead to a special election.

Next week, candidates hoping to fill that gap should step forward. With city elections just nine weeks away, the qualifying period starts Monday.

In addition to Dania Beach, these seven cities and towns may see changes in their leadership: Davie, Hillsboro Beach, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Lazy Lake, Pembroke Pines, Pompano Beach and Sea Ranch Lakes.

Except for Dania Beach, the qualifying period is from noon Monday through noon Jan. 11. During that time, aspiring candidates must file forms with their respective municipal clerks and pay fees to get on the ballot.

Dania Beach's qualifying period is shorter: just 9 a.m. Monday to noon Wednesday. If more than two candidates qualify, there will be a primary election on March 9, followed by a special election on April 13. The winner will fulfill Jones' term, which expires in March 2011.

Upcoming tasks for all the election winners include getting local populations counted for the 2010 census so that federal dollars return to communities. They also must manage shrinking municipal budgets if property tax revenues continue to decline, as the Broward County Property Appraiser has predicted.

What's at stake in the seven regular elections:

DAVIE: The town has three open council seats, currently occupied by Vice Mayor Michael Crowley in District 2; Susan Starkey in District 3 and Marlon Luis in District 4. Issues include redevelopment during a recession and obtaining state compensation for fire rescue responses to highway emergencies.

HILLSBORO BEACH: Two commission seats are open, that of Commissioner Tom Puleri, who was appointed to complete the term of the late Commissioner Larry Fink and then won a full term, and Commissioner Celinda Sawtelle, who has fulfilled one term. Rebuilding the beach and modernizing the water plant are ongoing projects.

LAUDERDALE-BY-THE-SEA: Three open commission seats are currently held by Mayor Roseann Minnet, District 1 Vice Mayor Jerome McIntee, and District 2 Commissioner James Silverstone, who have each served one term. Sewer and drainage infrastructure costs are being studied.

LAZY LAKE: One council seat remains unfilled from the 2008 election in this village of about 40 people. Mayor Joe Fodera says getting residents to serve in the unpaid job is difficult when people want to work as much as possible during the recession and don't have free time.

PEMBROKE PINES: There will be two open seats: District 1, occupied by Carl Schechter, and District 4, occupied by Vice Mayor Angelo Castillo. Ongoing business includes developing the city center property and resolving a lawsuit over red light cameras.

POMPANO BEACH: Incumbents Mayor Lamar Fisher, District 1 Commissioner Barry Dockswell, District 3 Commissioner Rex Hardin and District 5 Vice Mayor George Brummer have all signaled their intention to run again via already-filed treasurers' reports and candidate statement forms. Development along the ocean, the northwest section of the city and its main roadways, and the issue of whether to return to a municipal police force will be on leaders' to-do lists.

SEA RANCH LAKES: Five of eight village council seats will open up next year. They are now held by Mayor Denise Bryan, and Council members Barbara Kohl, Eric Holtz, Holly Moody and Elliot Sokolow, who is also finance director. If the past is any guide, each empty seat will attract a single candidate, and there will be no election in the village.