Orcas Elections – School and Fire Districts face challengers

As of last Friday, June 4, candidates filed for election in the Orcas Island School District and the Orcas Island Fire Commission races.

Three positions are open on the Orcas Island School District (OISD) Board of Directors.

Jim Sullivan faces Chris Sutton for the four-year position #1. Sullivan is employed at Islands Sounder and is married to Linda Sullivan, an Orcas school district teacher.

Sutton, graduate of Orcas High school (1988) is a computer programmer and consultant, and the father of current and future Orcas Elementary students.

For position #2, currently held by Tony Ghazel, Bob Connell has filed his candidacy. Ghazel is a former Chair of the School District Board of Directors, the father of past and present Orcas School students, and a computer consultant.

Connell is the father of an Orcas elementary student and the husband of Barb Skotte, PTSA President. He currently serves on the Eastsound Planning Review Committee.

Scott Lancaster is unchallenged in his bid for re-election to the OISD board.

In addition to Lancaster, Janet Brownell and Keith Whitaker currently serve on the OISD Board of Directors.

Two of the three fire commissioner positions are open this year.

The six-year term for Fire Commissioner is being sought by Henry “Duff” Andrews, a former Fire Commissioner, retired dentist and long-time Orcas Island resident.

Clyde Duke currently holds the Fire Commission position #2 and is a contractor who has also lived on Orcas Island nearly 20 years.

Jonathan Loop, who has also filed for the position #2, is a retired furniture maker. He and his wife Tricia have lived on Orcas for nine years.

The slot for Fire Commissioner #3, a two-year unexpired term, is currently held by Barbara Bedell, who is running for re-election. Pierrette Guimond, a retired airline employee has also filed for the position.  

Commissioner Jim Coffin will remain on the three-member Fire District Commission.