POULSBO — With an August primary election instead of the traditional September event on the horizon, Poulsbo City Councilman Jim Henry decided to move up his plans as well.

He publicly declared his intent to seek a third term Tuesday afternoon.

“This is February, and the primary is in August,” Henry said. “I decided I was going to go ahead and get it out there.”

Over the course of his near decade of service on the council, Henry said he has remained committed to one principle even as the city has grown by leaps and bounds.

“I want to keep some of the old feel of Poulsbo, which we have done,” he said.

Wal-Mart and The Home Depot and the rest of College Marketplace development have taken root on Poulsbo’s northwestern edge, but city officials have managed to maintain the aura of a quaint Norwegian hamlet in the midst of historic growth, he said.

As the city prepares to embark on the state mandated 10-year update of its comprehensive plan, Henry said he expects the public to be involved as always.

“The community really keeps us connected,” he said. “There is a lot of public involvement in this town, which is unique.”

Henry welcomes that input on issues ranging from the Critical Areas Ordinance to the new city hall, even though it can be judgmental at times.

“On city hall, I thought we had everyone on board,” he said. “But no matter where it goes, we need a new one.”

With the $14.9 million State Route 305 widening project currently creating traffic challenges in the city, Henry said he has come to understand over the years that widening highways isn’t always the answer.

“I met with Jerry Lamb, and he came up with Lev-X,” he said. “The (Suquamish) Tribe is with us. Bainbridge Island is with us. I think it will reduce traffic on 305.”

Lamb’s Lev-X, which Henry has been criticized for supporting, is a magnetic rail propulsion system that would, in concept, transport people down SR 305 from Poulsbo to the Bainbridge Island ferry terminal.

Another transportation alternative Henry said he hopes to see come to being in the near future is passenger-only ferry service from Poulsbo and Suquamish to Seattle. The discussion of which is one result of the city’s close relationship with the Suquamish Tribe.

“Poulsbo is the only city to have a tribal council/city council agreement in the state,” Henry said. “If an issue comes up, we don’t have to fight. We sit down and talk about it.”

By working together, the city and tribe have a stronger voice in addressing issues that affect both groups, he said.

No matter how many residents move to Poulsbo to enjoy its quality of life and small town charm, Henry said those are two things he will fight to preserve for future generations.

“I’m adamant about that,” Henry said.