Future of North Bend in the hands of voters

Published 12:39 am Friday, October 3, 2008

It’s interesting how the warm summer weather tends to put a calm spin on life. While your work schedule may remain virtually the same year around, life seems much more hectic in those frozen winter months.

That sense of calm that currently has many Valley residents soaking up the numerous recreational opportunities in the area is an interesting prelude to what is certain to be a busy fall season in North Bend.

When the leaves change color later this year, so will the make-up of North Bend politics. The city’s first female mayor, Joan Simpson, won’t be seeking a third term in November. Mayor Joan will be heading to Chelan to live with her fiancé, leaving behind two remarkable terms as the city’s leader.

Simpson’s absence is sure to be missed – many credit her with bringing a renewed sense of productivity and order to a once contentious city council – but the chance for a new face to step into the leadership role is sure to make for an exciting time in the city.

Although the filing period is about 10 days away, two residents have already announced their candidacy for mayor. Ed Carlson will relinquish his post on the City Council to run, while local business owner and Planning Commission member Ken Hearing also has said he wants the job. Those that follow city politics closely are waiting anxiously to see if a third candidate will challenge at the polls.

Earlier this summer, council members Jack and Elaine Webber stepped down from their posts due to a move out of the city. Those two respective seats were filled by two local business owners, Chris Garcia and Karen Tavenner, who were appointed by the council. What made those selections so important wasn’t necessarily the fact that a council that has been criticized in the past for not being business friendly essentially put its money where its mouth is, but that five, highly-qualified candidates came out to challenge for those seats. In a city where uncontested elections are not uncommon, the interest shown by these candidates marks a new era in community involvement.

Making things even more interesting is the fact that under state law, both Garcia and Tavenner will need to win election to their appointed seats this fall. With the veteran Carlson stepping down from the City Council to run for mayor, it leaves the door open for yet more change in that five-member group.

David Cook, the resident who lead a community-wide charge last year to gain the powers of referendum and initiative to combat a controversial cell-phone ordinance proposed by Carlson, has already announced he’ll be seeking to fill that seat.

The City Council, which guides the city by voting on policy, will have essentially three rookies in its midst come mid-November. With two more positions likely to be added to that group later this year, council veterans Mark Sollitto and Bill Wittress will be charged with the unofficial leadership roles for that group.

Perhaps one of the most important and exciting election seasons in many years is taking shape and the filing period for candidates hasn’t even opened yet.

So what does this all mean?

More than ever residents need to get involved. I’m not suggesting everybody run out and file for candidacy – although if you’ve ever thought about it, this would be a great year to pursue the issue. (Even if you’ve thought about maybe joining an advisory board or the Planning Commission, look into it, the jockeying of positions come election time is sure to leave seats vacant.) What I’m suggesting is that even though it’s early in the election season, when you see a candidate on the street handing out literature, or you get that evening knock on the door from one of them, hit them with the questions you want answered. Don’t let them off your porch without making sure they’ve addressed the issue raised.

There are some serious issues facing the city – a proposed sex-offender halfway house, a water moratorium and the chance of canceling the police services contract with King County – find out what they are going to do about those items. If the person you are talking with is running unopposed, let them know what you want to see happen in the city. Elected officials count on public input to help them shape their decisions, so give it to them loud and clear.

It isn’t too often that residents get the opportunity to elect such a fresh decision-making body and the chance shouldn’t be taken lightly. In the past 10 years the council has come a long way in shaping the vision for the city, let’s ensure that the new group of leaders can take the city even further into the future.

Travis Peterson can be reached at (425) 888-2311 or by e-mail at travis.peterson@valleyrecord.com.