Friday was the last day for candidates to file for the Nov. 4 general election which brought many Island County residents to the Island County Auditor’s office in Coupeville.
Several new and familiar candidates kept Auditor Suzanne Sinclair busy throughout the week.
“It’s been very active,” she said Tuesday.
As of Friday afternoon, the most action on South Whidbey could be seen in Langley, where the mayor’s position — currently help by Lloyd Furman — and three seats on the city council are up for election. Incumbents Lloyd Furman, mayor, and Council Member Ray Honerlah have announced they will not run for reelection, leaving their two positions open.
Filing for the mayor’s position are candidates Neil Colburn, a current council member and mayor pro-tem, and newcomer Will Collins. Colburn will not seek re-election to his seat, leaving his council position available.
Also in Langley, City Council incumbent James S. Recupero and Kirk D. Gardner have both filed for Position 3. Faith Bushby has filed for Position 4 and Position 5 remained empty at press time.
In the school board election, Bob Riggs has filed for Position 1, Greg Gilles for Position 2 and Rich Parker for Position 5 — all running unopposed. Incumbents Ray Gabelein and Barb Schneeman had not filed by press time Friday.
If more than two candidates run for one office, a primary will be held Sept. 16. The general election will be held Nov. 4. As of Friday, the only two primary elections scheduled in Island County are for the Oak Harbor mayor position and Fire District 2 Position 3 in North Whidbey.
The voting this year will take place on the county’s traditional voting machines. New voting machines are in store in coming years as the county has until Jan. 1, 2006 to be in compliance with the Help America Vote Act, an outcome of the “hanging chad” turmoil in Florida in 2000. Like Florida, Island County uses punch card ballots.
The county will hold meetings in the coming months to seek suggestions from the public on how to improve the voting process.
In addition, the county is also looking into new voting machines that are more accessible and easier to use, Sinclair said.
Voters had a sneak peek at video voting machines earlier this year during the Sno-Isle Regional Library System’s levy election.
Although the levy failed, Sinclair said she was pleased with how the County’s borrowed voting machines worked.
Candidates must have officially filed their candidacy papers with the Island County Auditor’s office by 4:30 p.m. Friday.
Here is a list of candidates who have filed as of 2 p.m. Friday:
Langley mayor
Neil Colburn, Will Collins.
Langley City Council
Position 3: Kirk D. Gardner, James S. Recupero. Position 4: Faith Bushby. Position 5: vacant.
Public Hospital
District
Position 2: Paul Zaveruha, Peter R. Borden.
South Whidbey
School District
Position 1: Bob Riggs; Position 2 Greg Gilles. Position 5 Rich Parker.
Fire District No. 3
Position 3: Mike Helland.
Port of South Whidbey
District 2: Rolf Seitle.
South Whidbey Parks
& Recreation District
Position 1: Paul Arand. Position 4: Joel Gerlach, Allison C. Tapert, Linda Cotton.
Admirals Cove
Water District
Position 1: Adel T. Saba. Position 3: Kathleen L. Jones.
Bayview Beach
Water District
Position 2: Jack Leengran. Position 3: vacant. Position 4: Dave Hayworth.
Clinton Water
District
Position 3: Maury Hood.
Freeland Water Dist. Position 1: Chuck Maddox; Position 2: Empty.
Holmes Harbor
Sewer District
Position 1: Stan Walker; Position 5: Robert A. Miller.
Lagoon Point
Water District
Position 3: Don K. Smith.
Ledgewood Beach Water DISTRICT
Position 3: Robert A. Martin.
Saratoga Water District
Position 2: vacant.
Scatchet Head
Water District
Position 3: Joe Hair.
