Vice Mayor Robert Jacob raised and spent a record amount of money in winning his seat on the Sebastopol City Council in November, the costliest campaign in city history.

Only nine votes separate two candidates vying for the final seat on the Sebastopol City Council, a race that may not be decided for days. ‘We will just see what happens,’ said Councilwoman Kathleen Shaffer. ‘I do want to see what the final vote count is.’ Shaffer trails challenger John Eder by nine votes in the contest for her seat. Robert Jacob, 35, led the voting with 28.9 percent, assuring himself of the seat vacated by Mayor Guy Wilson, who did not seek re-election.

In a Sebastopol City Council election perceived as a referendum on the controversial CVS Pharmacy-Chase Bank project, marijuana dispensary executive and CVS opponent Robert Jacob has raised and spent more money than all other candidates combined. Through Oct. 20, Jacob has raised $32,004 and spent $26,004, the most ever by a candidate in Sebastopol history, according to disclosure statements filed Thursday.

In the upcoming election to fill two Sebastopol City Council seats, the defining issue is the CVS Pharmacy-Chase bank branch project at Highway 12 and Petaluma Avenue, one of the city’s most prominent and busiest intersections.

The controversial CVS Pharmacy and Chase Bank branch development and its approval by the City Council emerged as the defining campaign issue during a candidates’ forum Thursday night.

Sebastopol political activist John Jenkel has become a familiar presence at public meetings across the North Coast. He and his paid supporters frequently use the forums to lay out his theory that former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown is behind the 9-11 attacks. Now, Jenkel insists he’s the target of a government plot to silence him. A judge has ordered the sheriff to seize portions of his ranch and sell them to settle a long-running dispute with his neighbor.

The city has a balanced budget, a bustling Main Street and no looming projects that are causing concern. But if the Sebastopol City Council race lacks in substantive issues, it has no shortage of personalities. Today, we turn the WSC spotlight on Sebastopol. Six candidates are running for three seats on the City Council.

Six candidates running for three seats on the Sebastopol City Council faced off in a debate Monday night. Which candidate made the strongest case? Watch the debate and give us your opinion.

All six candidates for Sebastopol City Council agree the city must act fast to keep its budget in the black. But they differ on how to promote growth while upholding the city’s progressive values. Highlights from Monday’s debate for council candidates.

Sebastopol Mayor Sarah Gurney has raised and spent $6,000 in her bid for re-election to the City Council, the most money being spent by far in the low-key election race.