So, the Herald endorsed neither Mike Regis nor Jim Henry for reelection to the Poulsbo City Council. The duo, elected in 2000, worked hard and served well but didn’t get the nod from us or the voters. Such is the nature of politics.

But even so, their contributions to the city and its people are no less noteworthy.

The loss of the two incumbents wasn’t the result of residents being displeased with either man, we believe, rather a collective decision to move in a different direction. That’s what some elections are all about. Nobody serves on city council to get rich after all. They do so out of a desire to improve the community in which they live, the city they call home. Jim and Mike were a deep well of knowledge that will be missed at city hall as council and staff lower the bucket and initially come up with less than was there before.

Mike brought a historical perspective that is irreplaceable and Jim brought a fervor for transportation and an ability to build consensus that was unrivaled. Working in tandem, the duo was a source of information, thought-provoking statements and, yes, even controversy. Through it all, the long-time councilmen never seemed to lose their focus on what their constituents wanted for the city.

Thank you, Jim and Mike.

You both truly helped make Poulsbo a better place to live.