The four-way race for a seat on the board for the Port of South Whidbey got a little tighter this week as one candidate dropped out of the race.

Even so, the three remaining candidates will square off during the Primary Election in August.

Incumbent Port Commissioner Rolf Seitle announced late last week that he wouldn’t run again after his seven-year tenure is over.

Three candidates are hoping to replace Seitle: Chris Jerome, Herb Helsel and Dean Enell.

The fourth candidate, Langley police officer Randy Heston, has rescinded his candidacy.

Jerome is a scientific consultant who does medical research from his home in Langley.

“I’m mainly interested in the economic development aspects of the port,” he said. “I also have a boat in the marina, a San Juan 24, and I believe the future of the harbor is important for the health of the entire South End.”

Helsel owns the Langley Clock and Gallery and served as the civilian representative during negotiations between the city and port last year.

“I have a passion for that marina. My focus as commissioner would be to get Phase I under way, then move on from there,” he said.

Helsel added that he considers himself a “practical guy” who favors finishing one thing before moving on to something else.

The third candidate, Dean Enell, has been active in the Freeland incorporation movement and ran as a Democrat against Republican Mike Shelton for county commissioner in 2004 but lost. He did not return phone calls from the Record.

Only one other race on the South End — for a seat on the board for Island County Fire District 3 — will land on the primary ballot.

Four candidates have filed for the Position 3 commissioner’s seat for Fire District 3; incumbent Mike Helland, Don Carscadden, Gary Gabelein and Frank Mestemacher, all members of the fire service.

Gabelein, 60, of Clinton, who was a commissioner of the district for 18 years before returning to the volunteer firefighter force, hopes to rejoin the board.

A South Whidbey native, Gabelein spent 28 years with the Washington State Ferries as a captain, and 37 years with the fire district.

He said his health is telling him its time to give up active fire service, but he wants to remain with the district.

“If I get a different hat, I’ll turn in the one I have,” Gabelein said. “My body says I better find an easier job.”

Carscadden and Mestemacher, both of Freeland, were unavailable for comment at press time.

Carscadden, owner of Island Crane Services of Freeland, has been a volunteer firefighter in the district since 1999. Mestemacher, a teacher, has been a firefighter and emergency medical technician in the district since 1995.

Helland, 53, mananger of the Clinton Water District, is seeking his third term as commissioner. He has spent 17 years with the district as firefighter and commission member.

He said he’s proud of the board’s record, and wants to see the new Bayview headquarters project brought to completion. He said that during his tenure, the district has built three new buildings and remodeled two others.

“We’ve always tried to be progressive and to learn how to do things better for the taxpayers,” Helland said. “I’m pretty sure you’ll find us in the bottom 10 percent in taxes, and our programs are envied statewide.”

In Langley, City Councilman Russell Sparkman has drawn an opponent in the General Election in his first-ever run for the office. Sparkman was appointed to fill the position vacated by Neil Colburn.

Thomas E. Gill, 25, a 20-year resident of South Whidbey and a 2001 graduate of South Whidbey High School, will challenge Sparkman.

Born in Hawaii, Gill has a computer engineering degree from Kettering University in Flint, Mich., and has been a computer technician with Whidbey Telecom since December. He is single, and is currently living with his parents.

“I keep seeing things that could turn Whidbey into another Mercer Island,” Gill said. “I decided to get involved to prevent something like that from happening.”

He said he’s from the eastern section of Langley, which he feels has been neglected by city officials. He said his emphasis on the council would be to push for improved sidewalks, storm drains and roads in the area.

Gill said Councilwoman Rene Neff was his fifth-grade teacher, and that he agrees with most of her positions on the issues.

He said challenging Councilman Robert Gilman or Sparkman was a toss-up, but he decided that some of Sparkman’s priorities, such as making Langley a premier underwater dive destination area, may be premature.

“We have other, more pressing matters,” Gill said. “I’ll be trying to move the city forward.”

Both Neff and Gilman are unopposed.

Sparkman, 50, has lived in Langley since 2001. He has been involved with city government for three years, working on the Planning Advisory Board and the update to the city’s comprehensive plan before being appointed to the city council.

He has a political science degree from Northeastern University in Boston, Mass., and works at home as a consultant.

“I’m looking for the opportunity to continue the work I’ve been doing for the city the past three years, and to help advance Langley’s economy,” he said.

Sparkman and his wife, Noriko, have a son Guy, soon to be a ninth-grader, and daughter Maia, about to enter eighth grade.

Record reporter Roy Jacobson contributed to this story.