The filings are in and the races are on. The filing of candidates reflects a definitive shift of power from older neighborhoods to newer neighborhoods. I applaud all the candidates who are so willing to give of their time and talents.

First the hospital district with Carol Hoch, the incumbent, and Julie Ostergard, the challenger. Several questions come to mind in this race. Carol, having served on the board for many years, has a wealth of experience behind her. Julie, on the other hand, has worked for and with the hospital and district for many years as a nurse. Is it time for a change with fresh ideas as the district works to get back into operation at the hospital, or are we better off having experience through the ramp-up to providing services again?

North Bend’s city council filings were disappointing to me in the sense that there are so few candidates to choose from. Unless a serious write-in campaign gets off the ground, the two candidates who filed will likely be elected. It’s great that they are willing to step up and serve, but the ability to pit one candidate against another provides us better insight into each candidate and provokes discussion about qualifications and positions.

The interesting aspect here is the idea that a husband and wife can serve on the same city council. So when a serious issue is facing the council members and Elaine and Jack Webber are opposing each other, who will concede first? Will council business be discussed at home to the extent that opinions can be swayed? Something brought them together as husband and wife at some point in time. Will the values they share, ideals they share and ultimately their partnership in life prevent them from objectively looking at issues without regard to the potential impacts at home?

I know both Jack and Elaine and there is no question they will have the best interest of the city, from their perspective, in mind when voting or deciding issues. I would like to challenge them both, if Jack is elected, to question everything and show their constituents that a husband and wife team on a council can work. They have a big challenge ahead of them in proving they can be unbiased and not let their family relationship get in the way of objective decision making while serving in their respective council positions.

It is also interesting to note that Bill Wittress is filing as well. Four out of the five council members will be from Forester Woods, if all are elected. If residents of North Bend feel the power base is too focused on one neighborhood, just remember you all had the opportunity to run. In fact, Wittress lives just a few doors down from the Webbers. I suppose that is going to make it tough for all to be at a neighborhood barbecue, since, theoretically, they would have a quorum.

In Snoqualmie a new era is emerging. I don’t believe it is a surprise to anyone that planning commission member Matt Larson is running against Colleen Johnson. Matt has been heavily involved in many areas of Snoqualmie government including the issue of parks, ball fields, and more recently the possible building of a new library. Colleen has also been heavily involved in Snoqualmie government for many years and brings that experience with her as the city continues to grow.

The two other incumbents, Frank Lonergan and Cathy Runkle-Reed, also face challengers. If all three challengers are elected, the shift of power within Snoqualmie will move to the Snoqualmie Ridge neighborhood. I think all the candidates running for Snoqualmie’s council positions will look out for the best interests of the city and their constituents. But the race is a classical battle of new blood versus the establishment, fresh ideas versus experience. I just hope it doesn’t turn into the “spitting” match (Anyone who knows me, also knows I am refraining from the word I typically use.) that seems to be playing out in the opinion pages over the library.

Lets not forget that the city, through its elected officials representing their constituents, allowed new development to occur. We cannot fault any new resident for wanting to live in and be involved with such a great community.

Finally, in the Upper Valley, the other race posing an interesting mix is Fire District 38Os commissioner seat, currently held by Gary Stevens. Steve Parsons is running against Jack Quinlin. With Eastside Fire and Rescue on contract with District 38, the biggest challenge for the person in this position will be to assure the residents of District 38 that they are getting the service levels they are paying for.

Commissioners will need to work with Eastside Fire and Rescue to assure that the communitiesO interests are met and that they increase with population changes. The candidate has to be level- headed and objective, focused on the safety of residents as well as the business of running a fire district.

So the race is on. Now its time to formulate those tough questions that will instigate discussion about each candidate. I am already jotting mine down.

Jim McKiernan