PORT ANGELES — The face of Port Angeles politics — or at least of those trying to get into public service — is about to get a bit younger.
A new generation of aspiring elected officials is challenging several incumbents on the City Council in this year’s general election.
Out of the four positions up for grabs, three have challengers no older than 30. The incumbents in each of those races are in their 60s.
Like many first-time candidates, they say they want to bring a fresh perspective to City Hall. But perhaps unlike past years, that statement comes with a much younger voice .
“Anyone who is in any leadership role is typically older,” said Drew Schwab, 26, who owns Anime Kat in downtown Port Angeles.
“That’s not a bad thing. But for more representation, it’s always good to have one or two younger people also so that they have their points of view represented also.”
Schwab is running against Councilman Brad Collins.
Collins, 62, joked that he still thinks there’s a place on the council for his generation.
“I think experience still counts for something,” he said with a laugh.
The four incumbents are not longtime, entrenched politicians. Each is serving his or her first term.
But during interviews Friday, several expressed a common outlook that the council needs members with institutional knowledge. (None of the seven council members has served more than one four-year term.)
“We got a lot of things going on in the city,” said Mayor Dan Di Guilio, adding that he would like to see several significant projects, such as the waterfront redevelopment, end successfully.
“We made a lot of progress over the last three to four years. I’d like to continue to be a part in making those things happen.”
Noelle Fuller, owner of the alternative clothing shop Twisted, is challenging Di Guilio, 62.
Fuller, 26, said she is running for the City Council to be an advocate for the youth of Port Angeles.
“I’m mostly running for the principle that there is a huge population in the community that are the youth that have nothing and access to nothing,” she said.
Fuller said she would like the city to provide more programs and activities for teenagers and noted that youths loitering downtown has become a “huge problem.”
“If you don’t want them to loiter, you got to give them somewhere to go or something to do,” she said.
But does age really matter?
No, said Councilwoman Cherie Kidd.
“There’s a place for everyone who loves this town,” she said.
“Volunteering isn’t a matter of age; it’s a matter of energy . . . We need volunteers; we need everyone to volunteer.
“Age is irrelevant.”
Cody Blevins, 30, an employee of Hi-Tech Electronics, is challenging Kidd, 65.
Blevins, who could not be reached for comment, ran unsuccessfully for City Council in 2008.
Deputy Mayor Don Perry, not one to shy away from talking about his age, acknowledged that he questioned whether he was getting too old for the job.
“Initially, I had really thought about not doing it,” said Perry, 66, adding that he would like to spend more time renovating the Port Angeles Underground.
But the call to serve the community on the council was more important, he said.
“I think things on the council have leveled out, and I think we are working well as a council now,” Perry said.
“I think we’re finally getting things done, and it’s something I’d like to be a part of.”
Sissi Bruch, a 50-year-old Port Angeles Planning Commission member and senior planner for the Lower Elwha Klallam tribe, is running against Perry.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
