By Anna Haefele
Special to the Islands’ Weekly
There were more people than chairs at the League of Women Voters general election forum Oct. 10. The forum introduced the candidates in the Nov. 5 election.
The forum also served as a source of information on the more contentious issues facing San Juan County in the coming election. First on the evening’s agenda was a debate between Richard Ward and Moanna Kutsche who discussed the potential upsides and downsides of Proposition 1, which would rename changes to the charter initiated by the public from “initiative petition” to “charter amendment petition.”
The amendment could have far-reaching effects on county politics, according to Ward.
“Proposition 1 paves the way to take away county-wide voting,” because “…with Proposition 1 – 31 percent could gerrymander the county,” he said.
Kutsche, however, said that is extremely unlikely, noting that even if the proposition does make charter amendments easier, the process would still be quite arduous.
“I don’t see [amendments] happening repeatedly,” she added.
She also said Proposition 1 will improve voter control over county government, stating “Prop 1 won’t strip you of power – it’ll empower you.”
Also up for the vote are School Board Director positions 1, 2, 3, and 4. Candidates shared certain concerns, with improving student achievement and increased community involvement being high on all candidates’ lists. incumbent John Helding, who is running against Joe Thornton for Position 1, said “As Joe pointed out, we do have low math scores, but we’re making improvements … we got an exemplary rating for our year to year improvement. I think the status quo is working.”
Clive Prout, incumbent running for Position 2, echoed the statement, stating “Now is not a good time to change the leadership team.”
Jay Brant, also a candidate for Position 2, had a different view: “I feel the school board has failed us in our community.”
Speaking of issues he said he feels have gone unaddressed, Brant added, “I don’t feel the current board is looking at the negatives. They’re powering on to the next positive. We need to fix the problems we have.”
The Fire District 4 Commissioner seat is also up for election, with Richard Bangsund and Rebecca Smith as contenders. However, the competition between the two is somewhat less than fierce – when asked by an audience member why the community should consider making a change when they have such a well trained and competent commissioner in Smith, Bangsund, who presented himself as equally competent and dedicated, shrugged, and said, “You want the honest truth? I didn’t think Becky was running again, but then she did, and I’m not a quitter.”
Smith confirmed that at one time she’d considered relinquishing her post, but given the current circumstances, she felt compelled to stay.
“I had talked about stepping down, but I feel a responsibility to see through the changes in the department, many of which I had a hand in creating,” she said.
Also up for election is the Port of Lopez Commissioner 3 position. Bob Porter is running for the position against Dan Post, who has held the office since 1992. Both agreed that transparency and financial solvency are absolutely key. Post also realizes that the port needs to expand to the water in the near future.
“The public overwhelmingly wants marine access,” he said.
Porter said he wants to be more of a team player while Post said he will be more hands-on.
