Next week will be a big one for South Whidbey. By end of the day Friday, we’ll know who is and who isn’t running for public office. And there are scores of positions up for grabs, from the mayoral throne in Langley to political booster chairs on small community water boards.

Filing week, which spans five days from May 11-15, is the chance for all those who’ve dreamed of making a contribution, or fixing problems real or perceived, by running for public office. Not so hot about a funicular, the school board posting the identities of public records requestors online, the port getting into the fairgrounds management business, the prospect of giving the parks district a permanent levy or a lack of hospital transparency? Well, this is your big chance.

In Langley, Mayor Fred McCarthy has announced he will not seek a second term. That means political hopefuls will vie for the office without having to square off against an incumbent, which is often a distinct advantage in political races. We hope to see many step forward for this important position.

The City Council has four seats open: position 2, held by Robin Black; position 3, held by Jim Sundberg; and position 4, held by Bruce Allen. All but position 2 carry four-year terms — Black’s seat is for an unexpired term, which means the successful candidate will serve only two years before having to run again.

Whidbey General Hospital position 2, currently held by Georgia Gardner, is also open. The seat’s district lines stretch from Bush Point Road just north of Freeland to Hastie Lake Road between Oak Harbor and Coupeville. Hospital commissioners serve six-year terms. This also is a seat for which we hope to see challengers.

Moving down the list, four seats on the South Whidbey School Board are available. Damien Greene, position 1; Julie Hadden, position 2; Linda Racicot, position 3; and Steve Scoles, position 4 are all up for election. Seats carry four-year terms, except for position 2, which is another two-year unexpired term.

At the Port of South Whidbey, the seats held by Jack Ng, position 1, and Ed Halloran, position 2, are open as well. Commissioners serve six years, but position 1 is for two years — another unexpired term.

South Whidbey Fire/EMS’s position 3 commissioner seat, occupied by Mike Helland, is up for election, as are South Whidbey Parks and Recreation commissioners Don Wood, position 1, and Joel Gerlach, position 4. Fire district seats are for six years, and park district four.

Finally, Holmes Harbor Sewer District position 1, Stan Walker, and position 5, Bob Miller; and Freeland Water and Sewer District’s position 2, Eric Hansen, are open for challengers.

For details about how to file for office, visit the Island County Auditor’s Office’s home page or call 360-679-7366.