Welcome to what I thought would be a short 2025 General Election Politiblog. It just kind of grew. Given what is happening at the national level, many of us simply want to climb in our holes and wait for better political weather. Sorry, no can do. We need to maintain and assert those basic rights - and rites - while we have them. I’m still wearing that button that says - VOTE - ITS NOT ILLEGAL YET. When I was given that, we all thought of it as a joke. Not any more. Here we have the federal fascists declaring we should not/cannot vote by mail, challenging equal rights. And so much more. So vote while you still can, even if there are precious few candidates. Vote to demonstrate that here in the blue state of Washington we still adhere to those Constitutional rights.
I’m running behind, and I’m a bit crabby about there being so few contested positions, so I’m not even going to list those people running uncontested – unless they have something interesting to say. Luckily I don’t have to be consistent.
As I work my way through those few candidates who actually do have opponents, I’m getting even more crabby. Many of these candidates fail miserably my 3 minimum standards below. I’m flat finding zero, zip, nada on line about a lot of these candidates. So are they running for office or not? Why are they not speaking up publicly? One has the impression that very few people are taking this election – or the very concept of elections – seriously.
Thank goodness for the League of Women Voters and Sno-Isle Libraries, who are hosting 3 on-line candidate events.
https://www.lwvwhidbey.org/events/2025-virtual-candidates-forum-whidbey-island
10-14-25 6 pm Oak Harbor
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86477323973#success
Council positions 4, 5, 6, 7
School board 4, 5
N Whidbey Fire & Rescue 1 & 2
This one has happened, and they only interviewed Oak Harbor council candidates. Not clear what happened to the other positions.
10-16-25. 6:00 pm Coupeville
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88240202468#success
Council positions 4 & 5
Port Commissioner 2 & 3
Hospital commissioner 3, 4, & 5
10-17-25 6:00 Langley
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86983364473#success
Council positions 1, 2, & 5
School board positions 2 & 5
Coupeville school board
Positions 2, 3, & 5
If the above links don’t work for you, the link will be provided at www.lwvwhidbey.org
Questions were developed by LWV Forum committee
I’m re-running once again Marianne’s minimum standards for any candidate:
1) be able to write a coherent sentence.
2) be able to articulate the job description of the post for which you are filing.
3) have sufficient internet know-how (or the funds to hire that know-how) to create an on-line presence.
You will note that of the precious few candidates on the ballot, most have failed this test.
So, on to the basics:
First, you need to know that you are registered to vote. To check, go to
https://weiapplets.sos.wa.gov/MyVote/#/
If you’re not registered, you can do that online or by mail until October 27. If all else fails, you can register in person at the
Island County Elections Office, 400 Main Street, Coupeville,
up to 8:00 on November 4, election day.
Ballots should go into the mail on October 17. Look for your ballot, and if you haven’t
seen one by about October 22, contact the elections office at
https://www.islandcountywa.gov/423/Elections-Voter-Registration
For more information call
Election Supervisor Michele Reagan at 360-678-8290,
or Voter Registration Coordinator Scott Works 360-240-5590, Elections@islandcountywa.gov
So, to make your vote count -
1. Try not to use the US Mail, since new Postmaster Steiner continues his predecessor’s deliberate and
planned slowdown. If you really have to use the mail, get your ballot in the mail by the Wednesday
before election day, October 29.
2. If you really can’t do it earlier, bring your ballot to the Post Office counter on or before Tuesday,
November 4 during business hours – usually before 4:00 pm. No stamp is needed.
3. Best option: Drop your ballot in one of the ballot drop boxes before 8:00 pm on Tuesday, November 4.
They are located at:
Island County Elections Office
400 N Main Street Coupeville
Trinity Lutheran Church
18341 Hwy 525 Freeland
Ken’s Corner Shopping Center
4141 Hwy 525 (at Langley Road) Clinton
Langley Post Office, front patio
115 2nd Street Langley
Island County Camano Annex
121 N East Camano Drive Camano Island
Oak Harbor City Hall
865 SE Barrington Oak Harbor
Finally, to the ballot:
SJR 8201 Washington Cares Fund
The legislature has proposed a constitutional amendment on allowing money in Washington's long-term care fund to be invested. This amendment would allow the state fund dedicated to providing long- term care benefits for eligible seniors and people with disabilities to be invested as authorized by law.
Should this constitutional amendment be:
Approved
Rejected
Washington has a number of funds – bank accounts, if you will – which support specific state programs. The Washington Cares Fund, officially known as the Long Term Services and Support Trust Fund, is one of those.
In case you were wondering, here’s what Google AI has to say:
The Washington State Long-Term Services & Support Trust Fund, also known as the WA Cares Fund, is a public long-term care insurance program that provides financial benefits to eligible Washington workers to help pay for care services when they need it most. Funded by a 0.58% payroll tax on employees, the fund aims to protect individuals from the high costs of long-term care, which are often not covered by Medicare or health insurance. Eligible individuals can access a lifetime benefit (currently $36,500, adjusted for inflation) once they meet specific contribution and care needs requirements.
The state Constitution dictates how/where such funds are invested, and the Constitution is (I think rightly) rather conservative. Currently the funds are invested in such ‘fixed-income’ instruments as government bonds. Not a huge return. Not a risk (yet). The proposed Constitutional amendment would allow these funds to be invested in “stocks and other equities.” Yeah, they would probably make more $ there – but of course they would also be at higher risk. The stock market, as we see on the daily news, is bouncing off walls, with investors trying to figure out what the would-be dictator will do next to destabilize the economy.
In such a volatile market, I think caution is the better part of wisdom here, in spite of Governor Ferguson’s and the legislature’s support for this measure. I should note that it was proposed in 2020 as well and was voted down then. I don’t see that matters have improved any in the meantime.
As a hard core fiscal conservative, I will be voting REJECT on SJR 8201
Oak Harbor City Council
Position 5
James Marrow (incumbent)
Lots of information, and you can read it for yourself in the Voter’s Guide. Heavy emphasis on Navy and his flying career. Former Pool, Parks & Rec commissioner. Focus on “safety, law & order.” He identifies as a conservative leaning independent. Supports Spin Café but wants to move it away from businesses because he thinks homeless people interfere with business. This man is highly educated, steeped in Navy and police think. Rather than provide services for people with mental health problems he advocates for ‘accountability.’ His sentiments are clearly with the business class and their needs.
Brit Kraner
Current Pool, Parks, & Rec commissioner. Her focus is on transparency, public involvement, affordability, and making sure residents are heard. She seeks the middle ground. “Homelessness is not a crime.” She wants to work to support services for homeless people. She says her highest priority is to foster stronger community ties, including hosting in-person community meetings to resolve problems. She wants more government transparency. She recognizes that sometimes she may have to represent a position she personally does not support but her constituents do. That is a big realization. She’s aware of the high cost of rents, and wants to address that issue. I wish her luck in that.
From what I see in the press and the Voter’s Guide, this one is a no-brainer. I always favor community over law’n order/business. I think Ms Kraner will add a very positive note to Oak Harbor’s governance. If I voted in Oak Harbor I would hands-down vote for
Brit Kraner.
Position 6
Andy Plumlee
Mr Plumlee has run several times for city council. He somehow failed to submit anything for the Voters’ Guide. That does bother me. On the other hand, he responded to the questions I posted, which cannot be said for his opponent. I’m also looking at his responses to my questions 4 years ago when he ran for council. Back then he said he believed there were people in the community whose concerns “could be better represented.” He promised back then to provide advocacy and representation for the 80% he said were going unheard. To quote from 4 years ago:
I want to be the voice on Oak Harbor City council that represents the average community member. I will be objective, reasoned, and focused on the needs and concerns of the community.
Checking his Facebook page, I find “10 creative ideas to help the community with the $6.6 million ARPA funds.” I’m not at all sure what strings are attached to those funds, but his list of ideas would definitely benefit ordinary working people in and around Oak Harbor.
While I’m not sure I agree with some of the ideas expressed, at least Mr Plumlee is expressing ideas. A refreshing change. His support for an independent redistricting commission and for ranked choice voting certainly resonate with me, as do a lot of his other posts.
This year I asked an esoteric question about land use planning and found Mr Plumlee actually knew about the issue and gave a thoughtful response. And he agreed with me that Oak Harbor needs more parks.
Sandi Peterson
www.sandipeterson.com
The precise opposite of most candidates. Ms Peterson swamps us with more information than it is possible to absorb. She’s a realtor, co-founder of Civility First, and sits on many different boards. She’s one of those seasonal election workers. She supports “thoughtful growth that balances housing needs with the character of the community.” She wants to “streamline permitting while protecting neighborhoods. . .”
Well, here is where my bias comes in. While I think Ms Peterson would likely do a good job, I am put off by the fact that she is a realtor and co-founder of Civility First. Here on the island I see some of the most offensive anti-female right wingers touting their participation in Civility First as a reason to accept their warped ideas. I strongly suspect that is not what Ms. Peterson had in mind when she co-founded the group. I also note that Ms Peterson did not respond to my questions.
After hearing the candidates speak, I prefer the responses from Mr Plumlee. If I voted in Oak Harbor, I would vote for Andy Plumlee.
Position 7
Bryan Stucky, incumbent
I said I wasn’t going to write about people running unopposed, but Mr Stucky submitted such a thoughtful response to my questions that I just have to give him a plug. Yes, Oak Harbor needs more parks! Even though he is running unopposed, if I voted in Oak Harbor, I would vote for Bryan Stucky.
Boy am I glad I waited to hear the candidates speak. Gives you a whole different perspective than reading statements and news stories. In this instance it did not change my mind, but it very much validated what I had already found and reported. Oak Harbor could do a whole lot worse than a team of Andy Plumlee and Bryan Stucky. They’re young, they’re bright, and they’ve got their heads on straight. I do wish we could have heard from Brit Kraner. If I’m right, she would make a great board member.
Coupeville Town Council
Position 5
Kristo Allred
Mr Allred did submit a short statement for the Voters’ Guide. He is a banker and otherwise involved in the community. Its hard to glean a whole lot of meaning from the statements in the News Times and the Voters’ Guide. I’ve not found anything other than those two sources. Overall it sounds like he has at least a basic grip on the issues and the community’s composition. I do appreciate that he includes, perhaps as an afterthought, “protecting our unique island ecosystem.” Not sure how he proposes to do that, but at least it is on his radar.
Brandon Roos
Mr Roos has failed my 3 criteria for a candidate. For some reason he failed to submit anything for the Voters’ Guide. That left me the story in the News Times, and a whole lot of Facebook pages about his farm. Mr Roos is a construction contractor with a lot of family farming around the prairie. I was not able to find any substantive statement as to why Mr Roos wants to sit on Coupeville’s council or what he wants to do there. What I did find in council minutes was that Mr Roos was assigned to the Boardwalk project, which others have reported to me was an ecological disaster. Not a positive recommendation.
Given the lack of information about these candidates, and given the fact that one of them is associated with environmental damage while the other espouses ecosystem protection, if I voted in Coupeville I would vote for Kristo Allred.
South Whidbey School District
Position 5
Ann Johnson, incumbent
Ms Johnson has been on the school board for the last 5 years. She is an integral part of a well-oiled machine which is doing a very good job under difficult circumstances. She speaks of high-quality, student first, equitable schools based on kindness, collaboration and empathy. She recognizes the federal government’s war on education and the challenge that raises for the district. I respect her statement “our schools are not a political playground.” She pledges to “provide excellence, equity, and safety for all students.”
Here are her responses to my questions 5 years ago:
- 1. Why are you running for this particular position?
I have loved school since I was in Kindergarten. Though I don't work directly inside schools anymore, I always consider the first day of school as my official calendar reset, and I think that is true for so many citizens of and past school age. Schools are a cornerstone of our communities and must offer a rich, robust blend of academic rigor and safe haven. Schools are a laboratory for social learning and stretching the minds of our students in a setting that encourages comfortable risk-taking and building community. Our society suffers when our schools, and the students they house, aren't tended with the utmost care. I want to continue in my position (currently appointed) as someone who speaks proudly and advocates strongly for the students, staff, families and community we serve, and plays a distinct part in keeping our local schools agile, focused, and able to meet the needs of all students who enter our doors.
2. What do you know about the powers and duties of this position? How does this office/board/commission accomplish its work?
Thank you for positing this question. As a school board member, I work as part of the school board team on behalf of our community, to provide oversight to South Whidbey School District. This work, broadly, includes setting the vision, mission and major district goals (and then monitoring goal progress,) budget oversight, adoption, review, and revision of district policies, and hiring, supervising and evaluating the superintendent. Board members have a wholistic duty to all of their constituents, in that we work as a collective of five, and speak to all board and school district matters with "one voice" after discussion has been completed and a vote or other agreement has been cast. This assures that work progresses, communication is intentional and dedicated to the craft at hand, and goals become fixed, achievable targets.
Lastly, and among my favorite board work, is as a school district ambassador to the greater community. Attending sporting, music, arts and other events and activities sponsored by the district, advocating for and celebrating students in their learning, and watching our community thrive as a result of our youngest contributors’ achievements is amazing work. In our currently drafted working goals as a board, we recognized the importance of the board practicing intentional observation, participation and communication directly in schools, at school activities, and with the folks that are most clearly affected by school infrastructure and culture - our students and staff. This work was in its infancy when Covid hit in March of 2020, and we each hope to re-build opportunities to be more-often in schools as curious visitors as it becomes safer in future months. Concurrently, we will continue to lean in to our commitment to the vision and mission of the district - a global education for every student. This can be accomplished with a variety of mediums - textbook learning, workshops, practicing and modeling behaviors, and creating relationships with similar districts. These methods will assist in us finding tested and best-practice models that inspire and encourage us. Each board member comes to their position with a unique background and scope of understanding, which can serve us well as we discuss and decision-make. As a group, it is up to each of us to be willing to flex our skills in listening and engaging with authenticity and dedication to the work at hand, to promote best outcomes for our students.
3.What do you hope to accomplish in this position? If an incumbent, what have you accomplished? How do you use the powers of this office to accomplish your goals?
I have been in my position five seat for one year. My goals during that time were to engage in the state and local trainings necessary to guide my behaviors and expectations as a public servant on this level, to use my understanding and appreciation for education and community as ballast for my ongoing communications and actions, and to foster camaraderie and teamwork with fellow board members, the students and community we serve, school administration teams, staff and support people. Moving forward and using the accomplished goals above as building blocks, I see myself as a confident, strong voice for students, using the following platform as my guide:
- • Centering social and educational justice, emotional wellness, and basic needs supports as cornerstones for student learning
- • Providing comprehensive educational opportunities at all grade levels using research and best practices for decision-making
- • Raising up the voices of individuals and groups who have historically been unrepresented and ignored
- • Recognizing the value of the competent and caring educators, support staff, coaches, instructors, mentors and programs that are unique to South Whidbey Island and keep our standards for excellence high
4. What problems do you see that you expect to correct or alleviate?
Our challenge together as a citizenry is deep and wide; our response as a board must be to work for our students as if their lives depended upon it, because they do. Climate change makes our late summer dangerous with smoke and the perpetual potential of fire in our beautiful tree stands. Black, brown, indigenous, neurodivergent and physically divergent, and LBGTQIA+ children and youth are still being "othered," under-represented, ignored, and harmed by systems that don't and can't serve them. Masking, vaccinations and other methods for mitigating Covid are being questioned or outright denied by citizens and leaders who have the generational and financial privilege to be role models. This puts strain on already taxed medical systems and personnel, puts vulnerable people (and currently young children) in a precarious limbo of unnecessary stress, and allows almost half of our population to consciously avoid their duties to public health, their neighbors, and their communities, all in the name of sovereignty without accepting consequences. Each of these issues is wrapped in the patriarchal and racist language, action and engagement that has plagued our nation since before its inception.
My role as a school board member is to think, learn and understand from a global perspective, and act on behalf of our local students with an anti-racist, inclusive lens that fosters equity, belonging, and change. This includes insisting that board meetings are safe and accessible for all, including our student leaders. It means actively encouraging and mentoring any student who wishes to raise their voice and become a driver of their own education. It means respecting the name, selected pronouns, gender and presentation of every human being. It means actively speaking out against racism, othering, and other violence against students and adult community members. It means engaging with community members who are willfully uninformed in a thoughtful but clear way that adds to and does not subtract from the district's message of anti-racism, inclusion and belonging. It means engaging in and accepting only quality research and best practice in working on behalf of students, staff, and families. The South Whidbey School Board alone cannot solve our nation's problems. What we can do is practice decision making at a local level that promotes and protects an academically rigorous, emotionally healthy and physically safe environment for students to do their best work.
5.What relevant experience do you have?
I have been working with children and youth professionally for 25 years in both academic and non-profit mediums, with specialties in human services and alternative education. As an undergrad at Washington State University, I spent summers as Hall Director and Academic Tutor Lead at Big Bend Community College's summer high school residential "College Bound" program, for students 9th-12th grade who would be first generation college students after high school graduation. I taught as a classroom teacher at the Middle School and High School levels for seven years at the beginning of my professional career, and was selected to teach in a collaboration with Kent School District and Kent Parks and Recreation in a Work-Study program, with an emphasis in outdoor education through a rigorous Language Arts and Science lens. I also worked with Special Education and other specialists to assure inclusion and proper education for their students, and was on the Gates Foundation Grant Leadership Team in my school to re-format our aging policies, protocols and strategies to create a warm, equitable academic environment for our 1200 students in the eldest and most diverse campus in the Kent school system. After my family's move to Whidbey Island in 2004, I worked as a substitute in all South Whidbey schools, and remained engaged in the school district through a non-profit lens, first as an instructor for the Learning and Community Engagement Program (LACEP,) a three year state-based educational grant to target learning in leadership, prevention, and outdoor education for students who may not have seen themselves as leaders. From there I moved into a Development Coordinator position with Readiness to Learn, engaging in various ways with local children, youth and families who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness, or had other barriers to their education. Currently, I work as the Executive Director at Whidbey Children's Theatre. In the last eight years since moving to our home on the South Whidbey Community Center campus, my team has ensured that our heritage as a 40 year old beloved institution has been honored, while building systems and programs that ensure a solid future for our non-profit organization as a whole.
6.What will be (or is, if you are an incumbent) your operating philosophy in office?
Listen, research, engage, review, adapt, repeat.
7.What message would you like to convey to voters?
These challenging times make it more important than ever to provide the right balance of academic rigor and emotional support to our local students. Your vote for me ensures continued advocacy for South Whidbey School District’s mission to provide a global education, while still celebrating the wonderful, rich history and culture that makes our community so very unique. I pledge to keep our schools and community strong by working with you and for you in my tenure on the board.
I have been educating and advocating for children and youth for 25 years, and I believe that our local young people are the key to a vibrant future here on our beautiful Island. As a parent active in South Whidbey Schools with my husband and children for the last 13 years, I have been privileged to see my daughters splash, roar, and soar to great heights as Orcas, then Cougars, and finally Falcons! As a community leader who takes great pride in our school district’s accomplishments, I want every child to see themselves like we see them - smart, capable, kind and caring, and willing to stretch and grow into future leaders, protectors, scientists, creatives, vocational specialists, caregivers and contributors to their own families, their communities, their nation and their world. You can make that happen when you vote for me for School Board member, Position #5. I believe in the power of progress for South Whidbey Schools, and I know you do too.
Wow. What can I say? Ann is part of a trio of powerful women, all with huge amounts of knowledge and understanding of how schools work (and how they don’t), and a great deal of dedication to making our schools work right.
Gwendy Gabelein
Part of Ms Gabelein’s campaign is “advocating for my special needs child.” That is something I can respect, but I believe in this instance it has warped her point of view. A school board member must advocate for all the children in the school system.
I’ve been getting a ton of emails from people who say that Ms Gabelein is a certified, dyed in the wool, MAGA. They refer to social media which has since been scrubbed. Certainly the financial support for all those yard signs is coming from that quarter.
She has been attending – and commenting on – school board meetings for a long time.
She is unhappy that the School Board at its meetings engages in a land acknowledgement but not in a pledge of allegiance. And she forgot to scrub the “Impeach Biden” post from last November. Or this post: “Public schools should recite the Pledge of Allegiance and shift away from “woke” ideologies.” I take that to mean we should all be sleep-walking. I prefer to face life awake – or “woke.”
She opposed the bond issue which raised the $ to repair, restore, and rebuild various schools.
At a recent “Old Goats” meeting Ms Gabelein said that she had lobbied the superintendent not to replace the Black Lives Matter or Pride banners stolen from the high school – because she found them “divisive.”
And on we go. So, we have an incumbent who has been doing a very good job vs a challenger who is MAGA based and wants to turn the schools into MAGA centers, where the Pledge of Allegiance is more important than treating all students – even those who are LGBTQ or otherwise different – with respect. Kind of odd for someone who is busy advocating for her different child.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The school board very much ain’t broke and doesn’t need this kind of fix. I will be voting enthusiastically for Ann Johnson.
Stanwood Camano School District
Position 1
Hans Hendricksen
He is parent of an elementary student. He values diversity and student empowerment. He wants to bring a younger voice to an aging board. He is an engineering manager. He did submit a short statement for the Voters’ Guide. Gotta give him points for saying his focus is on policies that are “inclusive, equitable, and forward thinking.”
John W Russell
Longtime involvement in such matters as bonds, levies, and facilities maintenance. He values diversity.
The Stanwood Camano News endorses Russell because of his experience, and suggests that Hendricksen gain some of that experience before running again. It mentions that the board is working to rebuild trust and stability. My understanding is that a crowd of mini-van Taliban took over the board and all but destroyed it a few years ago. One of those was the woman who was recently found guilty of invading the Island County election center and refusing to mask. Citizens for a Better Stanwood-Camano School Board are solidly behind Mr Russell and find Mr Hendricksen an unknown upstart.
I’m afraid I can’t find enough information on this one. Mr Russell, as the incumbent or nearly so, is strongly supported by the people who are trying to rebuild their school board. Mr Hendricksen is an unknown who has done little to make himself and his views know. If I voted in Stanwood-Camano I would likely but somewhat reluctantly vote for John Russell.
Whidbey Health
Position 3
James Canby, incumbent
https://canby4hospitalcommissioner.com/about
He was appointed to replace Ms Katy Rose who died a year ago. Mr Canby appears to have a great deal of experience in hospital management and oversight. Funny how many people have gained their experience and expertise in the Navy. Mr Canby is no exception.
I hold against him his support for the Deer Lagoon Grange, which was taken over a few years ago by the ultra MAGA 3% group. I find that he is the author of a book titled Loss of Confidence: the leadership vacuum in America and how to fix it. Not sure what to make of this, since I am able to read no more than the first page, which harkens back to the noble rulers of Rome and the Christian ethic. None of this leaves me particularly comfortable.
I appreciate that Mr Canby has the background. I do not appreciate that Mr Canby appears to carry a load of very uncomfortable baggage.
Christina LeClaire
cristina@harvestinghopecounseling.com
360-516-1576
She did not submit anything to the Voters’ Guide. Gee thanks. She is listed in Psychology Today as a clinical social worker and therapist based near Oak Harbor. It appears her business is Harvesting Hope Counseling.
Information is skimpy, but we are able to glean that Ms LeClair is a mental health counsellor who has helped Island County Sheriffs in dealing with people in crisis. I wish I could find more. I’m striking out.
I’m not sure how to deal with this. I do not want to vote for Mr Canby, and I can find no information about Ms LeClaire. I may just leave this position blank. I refuse to be pressured into voting for an unknown. For now, I’m holding out until the LWV candidate forum. Look for more info after that.
Position 4
Mark Borden
A longtime Whidbey Health surgeon. It appears he publishes books on health. There is one available on line titled Medical Wisdom: The knowledge you need to navigate life’s medical situations.
I found a site on which Dr Borden wrote a memoir about his time in Coupeville. He is clearly heavily embedded in Coupeville. “Practicing medicine in Coupeville has been a privilege. It has taught me the value of patience, the importance of listening, and the power of community.”
His entry in the Voters’ Guide speaks to frustration with the hospital’s failure to meet some very basic needs and his intention, as a board member, to do something about that.
The News Times reports that in 2012 the board stripped Dr Borden of his position and privileges. No reason was given. Dr Borden said only that he would be consulting an attorney. It appears the discredited CEO, Tom Tomasino gave him a list of demands he could/would not meet. To me that speaks to an ethical bottom line which Dr Borden would not cross. Good on him. There have been rumors, unsubstantiated, that Dr Borden is “difficult.” Yep, a lot of people with strong feelings about how things should be are “difficult.”
Juliann Althoff - WITHDRAWN
Well, no need to research Ms Althoff. Please don’t waste a vote on someone who has withdrawn.
Linda Gipson (write-in)
lindagipsonforcommissioner@gmail.com
10 years ago Ms Gipson was charged and found not guilty of physically restraining an out of control patient. In 2017 she was the Chief Quality Officer for the Public Hospital District. In 2018 Whidbey Health refers to her as Dr Gipson. In 2023 she graduated from the Sound Water Stewards course. She appears to have been very heavily and positively involved ever since.
It seems like Whidbey Health is in the habit of hiring less than competent CEOs who then cause competent staff to resign. It seems like we have two good candidates for this position. All other things being equal, I am inclined to vote for Dr Peter Borden.
Position 5
Dennis Rochier
Dennis.rochier@gmail.com
Retired 2020. Lives in Greenbank. Has been involved as a physician and supervisor for many years, including as Chief Medical Officer at Whidbey Health. He gets right to the point: Whidbey Health is in financial trouble. He wants to see it continue and succeed. He says he’s passionate about quality and efficiency, and sees eliminating waste as a way to accomplish that.
He stresses the 3 following: 1) the Hippocratic Oath: “do no harm.” 2) comply with regulatory requirements
3) showcase the people and services for which you are responsible. I definitely like this line: “While I believe this is serious work, I try not to take myself too seriously.” “First, understand; then provide guidance.” He says he only wants to serve 1 term. That kind of bothers me. Just about the time they figure out what’s going on and who’s on first, comes the next election. “Everyone is entitled to high quality health care regardless of political affiliation.”
Kirk Gaspar
gasparforhospitalcommissioner@gmail.com
Lives in Oak Harbor. 20+ years in Navy medicine. He also filled in the Ballotpedia survey. Major help. His 3 big issues are 1) finances. He reminds us that recent federal legislation will cut deeply into hospital funding. 2) He has 12 years of experience in senior hospital leadership. He wants people on Whidbey to be confident that when they need it, that care will be available. He is passionate about quality and efficiency in health care. Hmm, that’s
only 2 issues. Wonder what happened to the 3rd. He calls himself a perfectionist, and says that makes him do deep research to assure he has all the facts before making a decision. Seems as though he gave up after the first few questions.
And here is what I received from candidate Gaspar around the time of the primary. This explains his previous non-responses, given he was out of contact:
Thanks so much for reaching out. My apologies for the delayed response—I’ve just returned from a long-scheduled trip to remote Bolivia, where I had no internet access since July 10th. Unfortunately, the timing overlapped with the election season, but I’m now catching up and happy to address your questions
Why am I running for this position?
There are two main reasons. First, I want to give back to our community—especially by helping our health system be the best it can be. As I near the end of my medical career, this felt like a meaningful and logical way to contribute in an area where I have both passion and expertise.
Second, I believe my professional background uniquely positions me to succeed in this role. As you noted in your blog, my experience as a physician provides valuable insight into how health care systems operate. Beyond that, I spent the last 12 years of my Navy career in leadership roles on the boards of four different Navy medical facilities—experience that directly translates to the responsibilities of a hospital commissioner. I found those leadership roles both rewarding and enjoyable.
What do I understand about the commissioner role?
A hospital commissioner is part of a team responsible for strategic planning and oversight of the Whidbey Health system. My Navy board experience closely mirrors this, with oversight over strategic direction, finances, and care quality across a range of facilities. I also served in multiple roles on those boards, giving me a broad understanding of different aspects of health care delivery. That background gives me a strong foundation to step into this role effectively.
How would I address the looming fiscal crisis?
There are no simple solutions, but the key lies in making smart, informed decisions that balance financial responsibility with high-quality patient care. Knowing that funding streams are under pressure, the organization will need to prioritize wisely and explore innovative ways to deliver value. Some potential areas for improvement include:
- • Pursuing new grants and public funding opportunities.
- • Expanding Telehealth services to improve efficiency and access.
- • Continuously reviewing operations to find cost-saving measures without sacrificing care quality.
Sustainable, data-driven decision-making will be essential.
What sets my oversight approach apart from other candidates?
I believe my deep familiarity with the health care system—as both a physician and a board member—gives me a distinct advantage. At the time I filed to run, I wasn’t aware that any other physicians or nurses were entering the race, and I thought that clinical experience made me uniquely qualified. Since then, I’ve seen Dr. Rochier’s submission, and I agree—he’s a strong candidate as well. Where I may differ is in my extensive experience serving on health system boards, as well as my hands-on involvement with Telehealth services, which I’ve been providing for the past five years.
In the primary I called this race as a toss up. It is still true that either of these two candidates ought to do well for the Hospital district and the people. Still, I think I will be voting for Kirk Gaspar.
North Whidbey Fire & Rescue
Position 1
Mathew Nienhuis
While Mr Nienhuis touts his “considerable amount of experience in public service”, he does not list any of that considerable public service in the space made available in the Voter’s Guide. If the net is to be believed, he is (or may be) the Public Works director in Mukilteo. I can’t see Linked In profiles, but he liked a post by county commissioner Jill Johnson. The News Times reports that he is/was an “independent contractor for the PNW Art School in Coupeville”. He applied for the Fire & Rescue seat which opened up 2-13-24 but lost out to incumbent Miller. He evidently took photos for the Whidbey Island Roller Derby, a lot of them. I find a lot of photos credited to Mr Nienhuis.
Robert Miller, incumbent
He applied for the seat which opened up 2-13-24, and evidently won, as he was seated as a commissioner. He cites a ton of experience. I can get no sense of this man as a human being.
Yet another frustrating situation in which I can not find sufficient information about either candidate to make a reasoned decision. I’m glad I don’t vote on North Whidbey. For lack of any further information, I would likely vote for Robert Miller because of his experience in the field.
Position 2
Marv Koorn
Mr Koorn has been involved with North Whidbey Fire & Rescue for the last millennium or so. I have written favorably about him before. I just like the guy. I think his head is on straight and he is competent to do the work. You can’t ask for a whole lot more than that.
Ryan McCarthy
mccarthyforfirecommissioner@gmail.com
I’m afraid my strong prejudices are showing here. Anyone who touts his religion as a reason we should vote for him gets stricken from my consideration. I got stopped by “To God always be the glory.” I believe in separation of church and state. This is just plain inappropriate.
Given the options, if I voted on north Whidbey, I would vote for Marv Koorn.
Central Whidbey Fire & Rescue
Position 2
Larry Goff
Well, you can read the Voters’ Guide as well as I. There is one Whidbey Record story which cites his long history in fire fighting and management of fire districts. At least he is able to meet my criterion of being able to describe the job he is seeking. He speaks of issues such as budget approval, fiscal accountability, district policies – you know, the messy stuff boards do rather than the exciting part about riding the fire truck or ambulance.
Christopher Chan
Mr Chan says he grew up with Central Whidbey Fire & Rescue because his dad was/is a firefighter there. Good start, but being around doctors does not a surgeon make. Ok, at least he’s been a volunteer firefighter. Good start but not quite enough.
If I voted in central Whidbey, I would vote for Larry Goff.
Camano Fire & Rescue
It’s worse than pulling teeth to find information about any of these candidates. Why are they not putting out any information?
Position 3
Paul Williams, incumbent
https://camanofire.com/about-us/board-of-fire-commissioners/
Another on-line ghost. It appears that he is currently (or was earlier this year), the vice-chair of the board. And other than board minutes, I find only that he is part of a Friends of Camano Fire District. Pretty slim pickings.
Tammy Lancieri
https://www.facebook.com/CraftyWifeSailorLife/
https://www.facebook.com/peterl.tammyl/
One Facebook page shows a whole lot of contentious customer complaints. No idea how real they are, but it seems odd to see so many similar complaints. Her intro is all about patriotism and love for America. They worked on suicide prevention some 5 years ago. Definitely military. Run (or ran) a goat land clearing operation.
Given the serious lack of information I’m inclined to go with the (presumed) known quantity, the incumbent. If I voted on Camano, I would reluctantly vote for Paul Williams.
I agree that the market is on the brink of bubbles, so being fiscally conservative is more important now than 2020. Risk is not what the most disenfranchised need right now, so Reject SJR 8201!
ReplyDeleteCorrection: Dr. Borden is Mark, not Peter?
Marianne, thanks for doing all of this work again!
Delete