| Election
2007: Local and county positions up for grabs
By
Pat Grubb
Residents
eager to have their say in government will have to wait
until the November general election.
That’s
because only one elected position, that of fire commissioner,
has attracted more than two candidates. Nevertheless,
here is a rundown of local positions that are up this
year. Remember: this year the primary election takes
place August 21, a move up from the regular September
date.
Whatcom
County positions
Port
of Bellingham commissioner – Blaine
resident Jim Jorgensen is unopposed in his run for a
second term as Whatcom County port commissioner.
County
executive – Seeking
his fourth four-year term as county executive, Pete Kremen
will be facing his first opponent ever for the position,
Lois Garlick, a well-known local environmentalist.
County
treasurer – With Barbara Cory retiring, Bellingham
resident Joe Elenbaas will face Ferndale resident
Steve Oliver in November.
County assessor – Keith Wilnauer is running unopposed
for his fifth full four-year term.
County
sheriff – Former
Blaine police chief Bill Elfo is unopposed in
his bid for county sheriff, a position he has held
since 2003.
County
auditor – Shirley Forslof,
running unopposed, was first elected in 1988.
Blaine
city council
Ward
1, position 1 – Former Blaine
mayor John Liebert is running unopposed.
Ward
2, position 3 – Scott Dodd is running unopposed
for the seat being vacated by Ken Ely.
Ward
3, position 5 – First term council member Jason
Overstreet faces a challenge from planning
commissioner David Gallion.
Blaine school district
District
1 – Blaine resident
Chuck Green will face off against Point Roberts resident
Campbell McClusky.
District
4 – Board member Charles
Gibson who was appointed to his position will seek
voter approval unopposed.
District
employee Joanne Freeman had placed her name on the ballot
but apparently chose the wrong district
and has been disqualified by the
county auditor.
North
Whatcom Fire and Rescue Service commission
(Fire district 21)
Position
3 – The only election
race that will appear on the primary August 21 is this
one.
The top two finishers will
go on to the November general
election. Running is incumbent
Eddie Lathers, Bellingham resident
Roger Hawley and Blaine resident
Kathy Stauffer, a former Blaine
city council member.
Birch
Bay Water and Sewer
District commissioner
Former Blaine teacher, C-Shop owner and incumbent Patrick
Allesse once again will romp home unopposed. |
