Sixteen candidates, 12 Democrats and 4 Republicans, are vying for four Coatesville council seats up for election this year, according to petitions filed at county Voter Services.

Only three members of the Bloc of Four are seeking reelection: Patsy Ray, Kurt Schenk and Kareem Johnson. Robin Scott previously announced she would not seek a second term. Both Johnson and Schenk filed as Democrats; both were Republicans when elected in 2005.

Ten candidates are running for the two at large council seats up for election. Running in the Democrat primary are: Ken Allen; Jarrell Brazzle; Joe Hamrick; Matthew Baker; Beverly Phillips; Calvin Culclasure, and incumbent Kareem Johnson. Running in the Republican primary are: Fran Schnering; Winifred Mayo and Joe 'Zeke' DiSciullo.

In the Second Ward, incumbent Patsy Ray faces two Democrat challengers, Ingrid Jones and Falaq Lucas. No Republicans filed for the Second Ward seat.

In the Fourth Ward, incumbent Kurt Schenk, who recently switched his party from Republican to Democrat, will face Karl Marking in the Democrat primary. Republican Eric Lacerte is facing no opposition in the Republican primary.

Seven members make up Coatesville council, one from each of the city's five wards and two at large. Council President Marty Eggleston and council members Karen Jorgenson and Ed Simpson are not up for reelection this year. Eggleston represents the Fifth Ward; Jorgenson the Third Ward, and Simpson the First Ward.

Schnering, Lacrete, and Mayo were endorsed by the Coatesville Republican Party. DiSciullo reportedly lost the GOP endorsement in a close vote with Mayo, a former city council member. DiSciullo is chairman of the city Redevelopment Authority. He has lived in Coatesville for 53 years and owns Zeke's Inc., a local business operating car, laundry and pet washes. He hold a business management degree from West Chester University.

Brazzle and Hamrick have attended council meeting. Hamrick has been an outspoken critic of City Manager Harry Walker while Brazzle has praised the city manager, crediting Walker for getting him a job with the city's Recreation Department.

This year's spring primary comes at a time the city is facing severe financial problems and without substantial redevelopment is likely to slide into bankruptcy, according to independent auditors hired through the state's Early Intervention Program.