Bremerton mayor: Wheeler, Lent advance to general election

BREMERTON — Election Day eve must have been tough for veteran campaigner Cary Bozeman.

Patty Lent, the incumbent, was talking to a reporter, deftly seguing from issues on the campaign trail to the need to keep Harrison Medical Center open in Bremerton. She had plans to participate in National Night Out election night.

Greg Wheeler, a three-term City Council member hoping to advance to the mayor’s office, was working at a phone bank.

And here was Bozeman — former mayor of Bellevue, former mayor of Bremerton, current Bremerton port commissioner, and a veteran of economic development and downtown revitalization — sidelined by a sinus infection.

But that didn’t keep him from talking about his vision for Bremerton: Building stronger neighborhoods, building a permanent farmers market, ensuring residents have influence in City Hall on issues close to home.

“Bremerton is on its way to being a whole different place than it was 30 years ago,” Bozeman said July 31. “More people will be living downtown and there will be more small businesses there. Bremerton will still be the urban center of Kitsap County. The future for Bremerton is bright. We can continue the momentum.”

If the eve of Election Day was tough, Election Day was tougher. Voters advanced Wheeler and Lent to the Nov. 7 general election. As of 8:10 p.m., Wheeler had 1,742 votes, Lent 1,566 votes, and Bozeman, 1,260.

Election night, the county Elections Department reported an estimated 3,000 ballots countywide remained to be counted. That includes ballots cast for Bainbridge Island school board and city council, North Kitsap and Central Kitsap school boards, Bremerton mayor and city council, and South Kitsap Fire & Rescue’s Proposition 1 property tax levy.

Lent (LentforMayor.com), seeking a third term as mayor, said on Election Day eve she wasn’t “taking anything for granted.”

“I’ve talked to a lot of people” during the campaign, she said. “There’s a lot of talk about parking and streets, and people know those are things that we’ve budgeted for and we’re addressing.”

She said of her tenure as mayor: “We’ve expanded the police force, and I hope residents feel safe. There’s an electricity, a vibrancy in the air. Bremerton was just selected as a City of the Month for Washington Filmworks and we’re getting a lot of attention. Residents know I’m willing to work, that I have the energy and the passion. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Cary and Greg will split the vote and I’ll move forward to November.”

During the campaign, she said she’s committed to “having our city grow in a responsible way. I also believe that there is nothing more important than providing safe and secure neighborhoods. I am especially proud of the fact that over the last eight years both violent crime and property crime has decreased in the City of Bremerton. Finally, spending taxpayer money is a responsibility I take seriously. I will insist that our budget is balanced yet provides needed services.”

On Election Day eve, Wheeler (GregWheelerforMayor.com) said he was “cautiously optimistic.”

“Job creation has really resonated with voters — our focus on creating an environment that fosters small business and is attractive to bringing that next midsize employer and living wage jobs to Bremerton. I can’t think of one [household] I visited that didn’t like my focus.”

During the campaign, Wheeler said his priorities would be to support business development by accelerating the phase out of the Business & Occupation Tax and streamlining the permitting process; developing an energy conservation plan for city-owned buildings; ensuring parks are adequately funded, maintained and accessible.

“Our city is ready for new, progressive leadership that will focus on ensuring all of Bremerton’s families, neighborhoods, parks, and businesses thrive — not just today, but for generations to come,” he said during the campaign. “With my educational background, career experience, and years of community service, I believe I’m uniquely qualified to lead Bremerton into that prosperous, sustainable future.”

No matter how the election turned out, Wheeler said on Election Eve, “We’ve worked real hard. I’m proud of our efforts.”

Of the three candidates, Bozeman and Lent said they supported Bremerton rejoining the Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council. All three supported partnering with area agencies and housing authorities to make affordable housing more available.

About the job

The mayor of Bremerton is elected to a four-year term, is full-time and is paid $107,004 a year, according to the 2017 city budget.

According to state law, the mayor:

Is the chief executive and administrative officer of the city, in charge of all departments and employees, with authority to designate assistants and department heads.
Ensures that all contracts and agreements made with the city “are faithfully kept and performed” and may cause any legal proceedings to be instituted in the name of the city, subject to approval by the City Council.
Presides over all meetings of the City Council and votes “only in the case of a tie.”
Reports to the council concerning the affairs of the city and its financial and other needs, and shall make recommendations for council consideration and action.
Prepares and submits to the council a proposed budget.
Has the power to veto ordinances passed by the council, “but such veto may be overridden by the vote of a majority of all council members plus one more vote.”
Is the official and ceremonial head of the city and represents the city on ceremonial occasions.