Langley has another city council race.
Christy Korrow, chairwoman of Langley Planning Advisory Board, filed for position 1 on Wednesday, the seat formerly held by longtime Councilwoman Rene Neff. Korrow joins Burt Beusch, also a member of the planning advisory board, in seeking the position.
Korrow, a Langley resident for the past seven years, said she was urged by friends to run for the position. She’s interested in government and believes it’s important to serve.
“I’m a believer that I have a responsibility to be active and involved,” she said.
Korrow was involved in the Upper Langley affordable housing project for several years. It was that work that led her to volunteer with the planning board. She said she likes working with a team and is looking forward to “working in a context where opinions have to come together to make an agreement.”
Multiple attempts Monday, Thursday and Friday to reach Beusch by email, the only contact information listed on the Island County Elections Office website, were not successful.
Due to Neff’s resignation on Monday, the council will fill the seat with an appointed person until shortly after the election. Korrow confirmed she will apply.
In another city council race, incumbent Thomas Gill is seeking a second term for position 5, and is being challenged by political newcomer Peter Morton. As of Friday morning, incumbent Dominique Emerson was the only person seeking position 2 on the council.
Filing week, the five-day period where people seeking elected offices formally declare their candidacies, began Monday and ended Friday afternoon. Those names on the finalized list will appear on the November general election ballot.
Another new name to emerge over the week is Joshua Alan Samuel Perry Coleman, who filed for position 3 of the South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District board of commissioners. The seat is currently held by Bob Hezel, who confirmed last week he won’t seek reelection.
Coleman, 31, is a property manager who grew up on South Whidbey. The Clinton resident described the district as “top-notch” and said he wants to contribute.
“I’ve been thinking about getting more involved in the community and this opportunity came up and I decided to just go for it,” he said.
Coleman is a middle school boys basketball coach and coach of the Whidbey Crabs, a club baseball team for 12-13-year-old boys. He said he’s interested in the campgrounds, and if elected wants to explore bringing artificial turf to district practice fields.
“If can be a part of that conversation, that’s what I’m looking for,” he said.
Also filing for a district seat is incumbent Mark Helpenstell. He is seeking reelection to position 2 on the board. Matt Simms filed to retain his seat, position 5, on Monday.
