Bernie Herpin will formally announce his candidacy for the Colorado Springs City Council at a 10:30 a.m. event Saturday.

Herpin is running to represent City Council District 4, covering eastern and southeastern portions of the city. He'll face Robert Andrews II and Regina Vigil. The election is set for April 7.

Herpin was appointed to serve on the council in March 2006 to finish the term of at-large Councilman Richard Skorman. He ran unsuccessfully for the seat in April 2007. Now he's trying for a seat being vacated by Councilwoman Margaret Radford, who's barred by term limits from seeking another term.

Herpin's announcement will be at the Radisson Hotel, 1645 N. Newport Road. Anyone may attend.


Come one, come all

Newly elected Democratic State Rep. Dennis Apuan will hold his first town hall meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday. He'll be joined by outgoing Rep. Stella Garza Hicks, a Republican who chose not to seek re-election.

Apuan represents District 17, which includes Fort Carson and much of Security, Widefield and Fountain and Stratmoor Hills.

The meeting will be held at Ruth Holley Library, 685 N. Murray Blvd.

Apuan said in a release he and Hicks invite residents to brainstorm on district-wide issues and concerns for possible consideration by the Colorado General Assembly, which convenes Wednesday.


Civil rights kudos

Gov. Bill Ritter and Roz Duman, founder of the Colorado Coalition for Genocide Awareness and Action, will be honored at a Jan. 27 luncheon by the Anti-Defamation League Mountain States Region with the group's Civil Rights Award.

In a press announcement, the ADL said Ritter had fought for enforcement and expansion of hate crimes laws. He's also signed into law expansions of Colorado's employment discrimination, public accommodations and housing laws to cover sexual orientation.

Duman's organization has sponsored conferences and worked with state policy makers to expose and confront genocide around the world.