Election filing period ends with some seats having no candidates

By Pat Grubb

The filing period for candidates for local and county offices has closed and it looks like some local boards will be looking to appoint commissioners once the current term of office ends at the close of 2019. No one filed for Point Roberts Public Hospital District, commissioner position 2, currently held by Dick Williams, according to the county auditors website.

Similarly, the parks district commission position 2 seat, currently held by Stephen Falk, had no applicants. Falk will be running unopposed for the hospital position 1 seat he currently holds. Individuals can only run for one elected position per election cycle. No one tossed their hat into the ring for the cemetery district position 1, currently held by Ernie Loreen. While other Point offices are running unopposed, there will be plenty of competitive elections in the rest of the county positions that will be voted upon by voters in Point Roberts and the rest of the county. Long-time District 3 county council member Barbara Brenner withdrew her candidacy for the newly redistricted District 4 on May 16. Note: Incumbents that are running again are listed first followed by challengers. Current incumbents not running again appear at the end of the list.

Point Roberts Public Hospital Dist.

Commissioner Pos. 1 (4-year unexpired) No candidate, currently Stephen Falk

Commissioner Pos. 2 (6-year) Stephen Falk, currently Dick Williams

Point Roberts Park and Recreation Dist. 1

Commissioner Pos. 1 (4-year) Bennett Blaustein, challenger Hugh Wilson

Commissioner Pos. 2 (4-year) No candidate, currently Stephen Falk

Commissioner Pos. 3 (2-year unexpired) Holly Robinson

Commissioner Pos. 5 (4-year short and full) Chwynyn Vaughan

Cemetery Dist. 8

Commissioner Pos. 1 (2-year unexpired) No candidate, currently Ernie Loreen

Commissioner Pos. 3 (6-year) Pauline deHaan

Point Roberts Water Dist. 4

Commissioner Pos. 3 (6-year) Arthur Reber

Fire Protection Dist. 5

Commissioner Pos. 1 (2-year unexpired) Virginia Lester

Commissioner Pos. 2 (4-year unexpired) Raye Newmen

Commissioner Pos. 3 (6-year) Pat Harper

Blaine School Dist.

Director, Dist. 1 (4-year) Todd Nunamaker, currently John Freal

Director, Dist. 2 (4-year) Todd Berge, challengers Dougal Thomas and Prudence Welch

Director, Dist. 4 (4-year) Charles Gibson, challengers Katie Smith and Tana Perkins Reneau

Port of Bellingham

Commissioner Dist. 3 (4-year) Robert (Bobby) Briscoe, challenger Anthony Distefano

Whatcom County Council Dist. 5

Council Dist. 5 (4-year) Natalie McClendon, Ben Elenbaas, Jaime Arnett

Former county councilmember Barbara Brenner (Dist. 4) withdrew on May 16.

County Council At-Large Pos. B (4-year) Carol Frazey, Bill LaFreniere, Brett Bonner, David Ramirez

Whatcom County

Executive (4-year) Satpal Sidhu, Karen Burke, Tony Larsen, Jim Boyle, currently Jack Louws

Assessor (4-year) John Romaker, Rebecca Xczar, currently Keith Willnauer

Auditor (4-year) Diana Bradrick

Sheriff (4-year) Bill Elfo, challenger Joy Gilfilen

Treasurer (4-year) Steve