PORT TOWNSEND—Jefferson County candidate filings ended Friday afternoon with many unopposed races and a four-way contest to fill the Port Townsend City Council seat now held by Laurie Medlicott, who is retiring.
Shortly before the 4:30 p.m. deadline, 2011 Heart of Service Award winner Deborah Stinson filed for that seat, facing off against retired chiropractor Pamela Adams, attorney Paul Richmond and investigator Jack Range.
“I have done a lot for the community but wanted to see what I could accomplish from the inside in an official capacity,” said Stinson, 55.
Stinson said she waited until the last minute in order to determine she could serve and still meet her other obligations.
She said she was running for the open seat “because all of the incumbents are doing a good job.”
This was opposite to the sentiment voiced by retired Department of Agriculture employee Robert Gray, who filed his candidacy opposing City Councilman George Randels, who serves as deputy mayor.
“I think that everyone should have the opportunity to serve and should serve only one term,” Gray said.
“And I don’t think anyone should run unopposed.”
Council members Kris Nelson and David King did not draw any opposition.
Gray said he is running for the Position 4 council seat because Randels has been in office the longest of those running for re-election.
On Monday, Steve Tucker, a 61-year-old former Coast Guard Auxiliary operations officer and longtime boater from Port Townsend, filed for the Port of Port Townsend commissioner seat being vacated by John Collins, a seat that represents the city of Port Townsend and the North Jacob area west of the city.
Tucker did not draw any opposition and will become Collins’ replacement in January.
Tucker will not need to campaign for the seat but said he will attend port meetings before he takes office and will be available to answer any questions about his position on port-related issues.
Incumbent Port Townsend School Board member Ann Burkhart did not draw any opposition and will serve a second term.
Earlier this year, Beth Young and Bobby DuBois announced they would not seek re-election to the Port Townsend School Board. They will be replaced by Pamela Daly and Bill LeMaster, who filed Friday morning.
LeMaster had decided to sit the race out but changed his mind when no other candidates emerged for DuBois’ seat.
LeMaster said he would like the school district to draw on community resources.
“There are a lot of local agencies who want to help the school district, but the district doesn’t have the mechanism in place to accept that help,” he said.
“I want to engage the community to develop programs for schools since there are a lot of retired educators in the area who want to become involved.”
The only other primary contest is for the Port Ludlow Fire District, where Raelene Ressart and James Betteley are challenging incumbent William E. Hansen.
Incumbent Bob Pontius is unopposed for his Port Ludlow Fire District seat.
Two people had filed to challenge incumbent Walter Johnson on the Sequim School Board, but Richard L. Fleck withdrew and left Stephen Rosales as the only challenger.
Incumbents John Bridge and Sarah Bedinger are unopposed for the Sequim School Board.
On the Quilcene School Board, incumbent Katie Williams is facing a challenge from Mary Gail Falk, and incumbent Lorna Ward has a challenge from Gena Lont. Incumbent Shona Davis faces no opposition.
On the Quilcene Fire District Board, Herb Beck and Deborah Randall are running for an open seat.
All three positions on the Coyle Water District are challenged, with Beverly Bautista running against incumbent Michael Hayward, Tim McKee running against incumbent Ed Walstead and James Simonen running against incumbent Troy Breitenfeldt.
Other unopposed races are:
â– Suzanna Rose Kalama, David Atkinson and Rowland Mason for the Queets/Clearwater School Board.
â– David Dickson, Bill Rohde and Starla Damon for the Quillayute Valley School Board.
â– David Robocker and Kris Butler for the Chimacum School Board. .
â– Valerie Schindler, Roger Cemper and Bill Barnet for the Brinnon School Board.
â– Richard Houts for Clallam-Jefferson County Fire District commissioner.
â– Ronald Garrison for Brinnon Fire District commissioner.
â– Jim Stehn for Queets Fire District commissioner.
â– Kathy Dickson for West Jefferson County hospital commissioner and Anthony DeLeo for East Jefferson County hospital commissioner.
â– Daniel Carlson for the Brinnon Water District.
â– Gary Elmer and Jillian Coyle for the Coyle/Thorndyke Parks & Recreation District.
â– Vernon Good for the Paradise Bay Water District.
For a list of candidates that will be on the Aug. 16 primary election ballot, visit the Jefferson County auditor’s website at http://tinyurl.com/nhow2a.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.