Candidates for office began to emerge Monday, as the filing period began for the Aug. 16 primary and Nov. 8 general elections.
The filing deadline is Friday at 5 p.m. Sixteen North Kitsap positions are on the ballot, among them five of seven Poulsbo City Council positions and three of five North Kitsap School Board positions. Residents will vote on candidates for two of five commission positions in the North Kitsap and Poulsbo fire districts. One of three commission positions will be on the ballot in the Eglon, Indianola, Keyport, Kingston, and Poulsbo port districts. One of five positions on the Village Green Metropolitan Park District commission will be on the ballot.
The Kitsap County Elections Office posts an updated candidates list daily.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the following candidates had filed the paperwork required to be on the ballot:
— County Commissioner District 1: Robert “Rob” Gelder, Poulsbo
— City of Poulsbo Council Position 2: Connie Lord
— City of Poulsbo Council Position 3: Gary Nystul (Councilman Jeff Bauman, appointed to the council, has said he will not seek election for a full term)
— City of Poulsbo Council Position 6: David Musgrove
— North Kitsap School Director District 4: Julie Edwards, Val Torrens
— North Kitsap School Director District 5: Ed Strickland
— North Kitsap Fire & Rescue Commissioner Position 3: Stephen E. “Steve” Neupert, Kingston
— North Kitsap Fire & Rescue Commissioner Position 5: Fernando “Espy” Espinosa, Suquamish
— Kitsap County Fire District No. 18 Commissioner Position 3: Martin Sullivan, Poulsbo
— Kitsap County Fire District No. 18 Commissioner Position 4: David Ellingson, Poulsbo
— Port of Eglon Commissioner District 2: David Roberts
— Port of Indianola Commissioner District 1: Jeff Henderson
— Port of Kingston Commissioner District 3: Thomas A. Coultas, Jerry Kirschner
— Port of Poulsbo Commissioner Position 3: Arnold (Arnie) Bockus
Voter-registration deadline is 29 days prior to an election. If registering by mail, the application must be postmarked by the 29-day cutoff or it will not become effective until after the election. First-time voters and new residents of the state may register up to eight days prior to the election by appearing in person at the Kitsap County Auditor’s Elections Office.
Voter registration forms are available online; at city halls, fire stations, libraries and schools; most state and federal offices; and at the Kitsap County Elections Office, 619 Division St., Port Orchard.
Each Poulsbo City Council term is four years, and members each receive $6,000 a year. The City Council is the legislative branch of city government; members approve the budget, make laws, set policies, and serve on committees.
Linda Berry-Maraist, Position 1, is completing her first term. Connie Lord, Position 2, is completing her second term. Jeff Bauman, Position 3, was appointed in January 2010 to complete the term of Becky Erickson, who was elected mayor. Jeff McGinty, Position 4, is completing his fifth term. David Musgrove, Position 5, was appointed in January to complete the term of Dale Rudolph, who resigned.
On its website, the council lists the completion of the new City Hall and adoption of a Comprehensive Plan among its accomplishments. Among its goals for 2011: Identifying and implementing the best use for the old city hall site, the former museum site and other city-owned properties; establishing a community vision for downtown, Poulsbo Village, and other town centers; further developing the city’s recreation offerings; and revitalization of Viking Avenue.
North Kitsap School Board members serve four-year terms. The school board is authorized to approve compensation for its members, but has chosen to not do so. Dan Weedin, District 2, was appointed in November 2009; his predecessor, Dan Delaney, resigned because of health issues. Val Torrens, District 4, is completing her first term. Ed Strickland, District 5, is completing his second term. The school board has been grappling with budget cuts forced by declines in enrollment and state and federal support for smaller class sizes.
Fire district commissioners serve six-year terms. In the Poulsbo Fire District (officially known as Kitsap County Fire District 18), Martin Sullivan, Position 3, is completing a term to which he was appointed in December 2007. David Ellingson, Position 4, is completing his second term.
In the North Kitsap Fire & Rescue District, Steve Neupert of Kingston is completing his first term. Fernando Espinosa of Suquamish is completing his fourth term; he was a Fire District 4 commissioner before that district merged into what is now the North Kitsap district.
Port commissioners also serve six-year terms. On the ballot are positions held by David Roberts, Eglon; Jeff Henderson, Indianola; Brian Watne, Keyport; Thomas A. Coultas, Kingston; Arnold Bockus, Poulsbo. Among the most notable port district issues this year: The Kingston Port District’s subsidy of, and impending relaunch of, the SoundRunner passenger ferry service.
Last August, Kingston voters created the Village Green Metropolitan Park District and elected five commissioners who serve six-year terms. Jason Manges’ position will be the first up to get a system of staggered terms in place.
