PORT TOWNSEND — Voting ends tonight in off-year local elections that include several contested races and measures that could change how county government functions.
This year’s Jefferson County campaign maintained a level of civility, a county commissioner observed Monday.
“It’s been remarkably vigorous campaign but it has been respectful with people on both sides talking to each other,” said John Austin, whose District 3 seat on the Board of County Commissioners is not up for grabs.
“Friends are on both sides of the issues,” Austin said.
The issue with most visibility proposes the establishment of a home-rule county charter that proponents feel would allow the county to modify the government to fit its needs, including the referendum process.
Opponents said that the charter would cost the county money that it does not have.
The measure is in two parts:
■ County Proposition 1 will determine approval of the home-rule process.
■ The second proposes to elect a board of freeholders that will write the charter.
The 15 candidates elected to the board — five from each county commissioner district — won’t be seated if Prop. 1 is defeated.
As of Monday afternoon 9,248 votes, or 40.61 percent of 22,270 ballots mailed out, had been received by the county Auditor’s Office.
Ballots in the all-mail election must be received by the Auditor’s Office at 1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend by 8 p.m. today, or bear today’s postmark if they are returned through the mail.
Last-minute voters can deposit ballots no later than 8 p.m. in drop boxes behind the courthouse off Franklin Street in Port Townsend, or at the Jefferson County Library at 620 Cedar Ave., Port Hadlock.
Results will be posted shortly after 8 p.m. today, after the first count, at www.peninsuladailynews.com.
Three local panels have contests that could change policy direction or continue along the current path. Each features informal “slates” on which candidates are running together.
For Port Townsend City Council, incumbents Michelle Sandoval and Catharine Robinson, both seeking a fourth term, are opposed by Bob Jautz and Patrick Moore, who have aligned themselves with Councilman Robert Gray, who has spent the past two years challenging the city’s fiscal policies.
At a candidate forum, Jautz said there would be “sea change” toward a “more level fiscal policy” if the challengers are elected.
He predicted more 4-3 votes instead of the near-unanimous decisions common in the council.
In the third council race, Pamela Adams, who has aligned herself with Sandoval and Robinson, is running against Jim Sherwood, who has informally allied with Jautz and Moore.
The seat is currently held by Mark Welch, who chose to not seek another term.
There are two races for Port of Port Townsend commissioner: incumbent Leif Erickson is seeking a second term and is challenged by Pete Hanke, the owner of a charter boat service, in District 3.
After the 2010 census, the boundaries for District 2 were redrawn, with Commissioner Dave Thomas no longer living in that district.
So the current election pits entrepreneur Peter Quinn and maritime trades worker Brad Clinefelter.
Quinn and Hanke have aligned themselves in a “vote for Pete” effort that supports the Port’s current direction while Erickson and Clinefelter have said they would like to see changes in the Port’s operation.
While the Port and council races have informal alliances, the Jefferson Healthcare hospital board has clearly defined candidates.
Incumbents Marc Mauney and Jill Buhler have campaigned together and are positioned against challengers Matt Ready and Savannah Hensel.
Both sides have characterized the race as a contest between change and the status quo.
For the Port Townsend School Board, incumbent Jennifer James-Wilson is challenged by her predecessor, Rita Beebe-Caldwell.
Board member Holley Carlson was unopposed in her bid for a second term.
The ballot also includes two property tax levy lid lifts for fire services in Port Ludlow and Brinnon, and proposals to establish parks districts in Port Ludlow and Kala Point, both structured in two stages in the same way as the charter decision.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
