Langley council, mayor's office up for grabs

Three council seats and the mayor's position are open in Langley City Council for the fall 2003 election, which means who runs the city and how may be very different after November.

Mayor Lloyd Furman announced in May that he will not seek another term after serving eight years in his position. In a city council meeting July 16, Councilmember Ray Honerlah also announced he also will not seek re-election for his seat.

In addition to these two offices, other seats going on the Nov. 5 general election ballot will be those currently held by Jim Recupero and Neil Colburn. While Colburn has announced his intention to for mayor -- thereby leaving his council seat open -- Recupero said Friday he plans on fighting for his seat.

According to Island County Auditor Suzanne Sinclair, people who intend on running for these offices and others open in Island County must file between July 28 and Aug. 1 at the office in Coupeville.

Because the Langley offices come with salaries or other compensation, it will cost a candidate $10 to run for a council seat and $144 to run for mayor, according to Lynn Hicks, Langley's administrator and attorney.

Other positions on the ballot require no filing fee because they don't offer a salary.

Other offices open on South Whidbey include South Whidbey School Board Positions 1, 2 and 5; Holmes Harbor Water District Pos. 5; Saratoga Water District Pos. 2; and Port District of South Whidbey, Pos. 2.

According to Sinclair, filing applicants will sign the necessary paperwork at the auditor's office, or will have to take it to be signed in front of a notary.

If more than two candidates file for an office, they will have to run off against one another in a primary election Sept. 16.

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