UPDATE: Thinking About a Run for City Council or School Board?

It may be hard -- now that we're finally seeing some long, sustained periods of sunshine and warmish temperatures -- to look ahead to November, but that's not keeping King County Elections from getting the ball rolling on elections filing this year. 

In fact, today, May 20, marks the first official day for filing by mail, and if you didn't already know, the follow offices are up for election this year:

Enumclaw City Council

• Position No. 2, currently held by Richard Elfers
• Position No. 4, currently held by Jeff Beckwith
• Position No. 6, currently held by Jim Hogan

Enumclaw School Board

• District No. 1, currently held by Nancy Merrill
• District No. 2, currently open
• District No. 3, currently held by Corey Cassell
• District No. 4, currently held by Tim Nickson

To date, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission today, Elfers is the only local official who has already filed to run for re-election.

So we at Patch wanted to check in with all the incumbents this week to see whether or not they would be running for re-election this year. 

On the City Council, we've learned that Beckwith will not be seeking re-election. In an email to us, he said, "I have been on Council for nine years now and was on the Park Board for six years before that so it is time for a break and to allow others to take their turn."

Hogan and Elfers, as indicated above, will be seeking re-election.

Said Hogan: "Several members of the community have asked me to consider another term.  The learning process for being an effective council member is fairly steep, particularly as it pertains to the city budget process.   The city is currently in a difficult financial situation and we have a lot of tough decisions to be made in the next few years.   I'm very familiar with city operations and feel that I have both the professional and council background to help lead the city through this recession."

And Elfers, who in March  his intention to seek another term: "I found I was successful in moving city government in the direction I think Enumclaw should be going in my first term. The wheels of government move slowly and it takes a long time to bring about lasting change. I found I enjoyed the struggle and challenge of deciding the right direction when I made decisions.  A second term will help me finish what I started."

With the School Board, both Merrill and Nickson had spoken up during of their intentions -- Merrill said she was currently still undecided though Nickson indicated that due to work schedule changes, he would not be seeking re-election.

However, Merrill let us know today that she would be running again.

And just yesterday, that due to an error in geography, Tamarah Hancock, who had filled the District No. 2 position since being appointed in January, had resigned. Therefore the board is currently working to fill the position again, which was vacated when former board member Cathy Dahlquist resigned in late 2010 to serve in the state Legislature. The pending appointment aside, the position is up for election to determine who will complete the final two years of the term.

Patch Update: Cassell indicated Friday that he would be running again.

"Great progress has been made over the past three-and-a-half years!" he said via email to Patch. "There is a very strong teamwork approach to leadership in the district with Mr. [Mike] Nelson at the helm.  I believe the current board works very well together and I’m proud to have been a part of that team over the past three-and-a-half years.  The continuity of keeping the core of the board/superintendent leadership team in tact will be key to maintaining progress toward excellence.  Enumclaw students can, and should, be able to compete with students from high performing schools throughout the United States.  We have made good progress but there is much work left to be done."

Why Should You Run?

Though he will not be seeking re-election, Beckwith has put the call out to citizens during several City Council meetings already this year, encouraging those with a passion to serve the community to consider running.

"It is not as time consuming as people think and is very, very rewarding," he said.

Nickson, during Monday's School Board meeting echoed that sentiment. "It's a chance to be involved in so many opportunities to make a difference."

If you have a desire to serve, Elfers said there are few satisfactions that are as fulfilling as that. "Being on the Enumclaw City Council can have a positive impact that will last for 20 years and more," he said. "Being part of something bigger than yourself is freeing.  Working with people who all care about their city and who differ in their views broadens and enriches one's thinking."

At the same time, it's not an easy job, said Hogan. "This is not a career, but a service to the community that we all live in.   You have to maintain a certain amount of thick skin because people can have an amazing amount of passion about very narrow issues, but as a council person you have to keep the entire mission of the city in mind. ... Make sure you're running for the right reason.   Running the city means that you have to care about everything from parking complaints to roofs to human services to employee issues.  Single-issue candidates who run for or against a single cause don't do anyone any good."

And sometimes, the role changes over time, so be prepared.  "It's a much bigger job than it was when I first got on the board," Merrill said on Monday.

How to File

According to the King County Elections office, filing by mail begins as early as today, Friday, May 20 and in-person or online in June.

In-person:
June 6 – June 10, 2011
Filing opens Monday, June 6 at 8:30 a.m. and closes at 4:30 p.m. on June 10, 2011. 

Mail:
May 20 – June 10, 2011 
Filings made by mail must be received by the filing officer not earlier than ten working days before the first day of filing or no later than the close of business on the last day of the filing period, irrespective of postmark. Failure to meet the deadline renders the filing invalid and it will be returned. 

Online:
Filings made online for regular candidates may begin at 9 a.m. the first Monday in June and continue through 4 p.m. the following Friday. If you lack the sufficient funds to pay the filing fee and are submitting the filing fee petition in lieu of the filing fee, you must file in person at King County Elections. Acceptance of electronic filings are conditional upon receiving the filing fee. (Reference RCW 29A.24 and WAC 434-208-060, 070, 434-215-090)

If you're interested in a School Board position, follow this link for more information about the current board members and maps indicating where candidates must reside.