Valley Politics

This summer's political season chatter has focused mostly on the King County and Seattle races. While the rest of the state goes unnoticed, some local candidates' are hard at work. Skagit Valley races, while all non-partisan (yeah right) this year, and not very interesting to some political media junkies, could be a scorcher.

As the ole saying goes, you don't know unless you know. If the names aren't familiar or you never hear about these candidates one might be inclined to vote by any number of uninformed ways or not vote at all. Let us hope that neither is the case.

What affects you,your family or business most intimately in the political sphere are local elected officials. For example- A waste site in downtown Sedro Woolley (averted) and this year the Nookchamps Wetland Mitigation (debacle). No thanks to the elected officials in the Sedro Woolley case,but to the engaged and informed citizens of the community.

There aren't enough citizenry willing to run for local office. Even for what some may say are lessor offices such as cemetery/fire/hospital or sewer districts. The county had to run a special three day filing due to lack of candidates for certain positions. This special filing will end by 4:30 today. At last check (3pm) still many vacancies. No glory,power or money in sewer commish,eh? No matter, there is a quick fix. Those that do step up,run and are elected, get to appoint to the empty seats in certain respective categories. Sweet!

It is not known at this time whether or not there will be any viable candidate forums in the valley, the local political parties are keeping rather quiet. Except, the Skagit GOP getting the upper hand in nominating three candidates (nominating tonight at a local funeral home...not kidding) for the county commissioner's to pick from to appoint county assessor. Current assessor Leader is leaving office this year. The appointed person will serve out the term until the 2010 election. So far no known Dems have solicited for the position. The D's got spanked in this round.

Ahhh, and so goes what others might feel to be a sleepy tip-toe through the tulips valley not worthy of political mainstream discourse. We know, just the opposite couldn't be more true.


Challenging races this year include:


Mount Vernon city council
At large
DORIS BREVOORT
DALE RAGAN
Council Ward #1
KENNETH QUAM
KATHY COMBS
Council Ward #2
JOHN C. CHENEY JR.
GARY MOLENAAR


Anacortes Mayor
H. DEAN MAXWELL
STEVE SONNENBERG

Port Commisioner
Anacortes
District 1
RAY NIVER
ROGER BORN
District 2
BILL SHORT
JOHN PROSSER
McAdams withdrew on the 10th, now a non-primary race.
District 5
KEITH RUBIN
GUY DAVIDSON
Port of Skagit County
District 3
WM. J. BILL SHULER
GLENN ALLEN

Sedro Woolley City Council
At large
BRETT C. SANDSTROM
DENNIS P. LONDON
Council Ward #2
RICK JUDD
TONY SPLANE

This year's top two primary ballot looks to be rather sparse with only a couple of races qualifying. Barring any withdrawals:

Sedro Woolley School District #101
Position 5
MAX ALAWAYS
MIKE JANICKI
ROBERT HICKMAN
Darrington School District #330
(Files with Snohomish County Auditor)
Position 5 At Large
DOUGLAS R. LENKER
ARON HARRIS
JENTRY L. WRIGHT

For a full listing of the Valley's 2009 candidates' and positions click here. Stay tuned!