Three vie for Clallam Conservation District board seat

Three candidates are vying to fill a vacancy on the Clallam Conservation District board in Friday’s election.

In-person voting is set from noon to 8 p.m. Friday at the district office at Armory Square Office Building, 228 W. First St., Suite H, Port Angeles. A space for a write-in candidate also will be on the ballot. All Clallam County registered voters are eligible to vote.

Candidates for the Clallam County district board seat are Lori DeLorm of Sequim, a fisheries technician who has worked for the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe for the past 22 years; Robert Majure, farm operator at River Run Farm in Sequim; and Nina Sarmiento, a kayak guide in Port Angeles, who also works as a consultant and hiking guide for Magic Forest LLC.

They seek to fill the seat now held by Scott Chitwood, whose term expires in May.

Candidate information is available on the conservation district website at clallamcd.org/2021election- candidates.

The Jefferson County Conservation District conducted its mail-in-only election March 2.

Only one candidate applied for the position: Elijah Christian, the present board auditor.

Results of elections in both counties will be certified in May by the Washington State Conservation Commission (WSCC).

Voting

Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, precautions are in place for the in-person voting. Hours have been extended.

Physical distancing will be enforced.

Face masks will be required, and all voting equipment will be sanitized, staff said.

Voters who need special accommodations should contact the conservation district no later than 4 p.m. today by calling election supervisor Judy Minnoch at 360-775-3747, Ext. 4, or emailing judy.minnoch@ clallamcd.org.

State law requires conservation districts hold their elections in the first quarter each year, district officials said.

Clallam County registered voters had an opportunity to request mail-in ballots before Feb. 26.

Applications

Applications for an appointed position on the board will be accepted through March 31.

Appointed positions set to expire in May are those of Ben Smith on the Clallam County board and Janet Aubin on the Jefferson County board.

Each conservation district is governed by a board of five supervisors.

Three are elected, and two are appointed by the WSCC.

Supervisors serve without compensation.

They set policy and direction for the district.

Elected supervisors must be registered voters living in the district.

Appointed supervisors must be registered voters in the state but do not have to live within the district boundary.

Present Jefferson County Conservation District supervisors are Al Latham, chair; Julie Boggs, vice chair; Christian, auditor; and board members Laurie Hannan and Aubin.

Clallam County supervisors are Matt Heins, chair; Ben Smith, vice chair; Christy Cox, auditor; and board members Carolyn Wilcox and Chitwood.

For more information about applying for appointed positions, or to submit applications, contact the WSCC at 360-407-6200, or visit www.scc.wa.gov.

Published appointment procedures can be requested at the district offices: 205C W. Patison St. in Port Hadlock and 228 W. First St., Suite H, in Port Angeles.