PORT TOWNSEND — Although the Port Townsend City Council won’t elect the city’s next mayor until Jan. 4, three of the seven-member council expect Councilwoman Deborah Stinson will be called to serve.
In Port Townsend’s weak mayor system — in which the mayor has no formal authority outside of the council — the mayor is chosen by City Council members on the first meeting of the new year after an election.
Mayor David King and Deputy Mayor Kris Nelson both declined to run for another term this year, thwarting the common practice of elevating the deputy mayor into the top position.
Councilman Bob Gray, who nominated Nelson to the mayor’s position in 2014, said he was disappointed she stepped down, adding “Kris would have been a great mayor. I’m sorry she never got the chance.”
Gray said that King has been active and involved in city issues and has not fit the image of a “weak mayor.”
At 6:30 p.m. Jan. 4, City Clerk Joanna Sanders will call the meeting to order at the City Hall council chambers at 540 Water St., conduct roll call and call for nominations.
Stinson would serve
Stinson, now serving her second term on the council, has fielded questions about the position for several months. She said she would serve if elected although “it’s not a done deal.”
Of the other council members, Pamela Adams, 71; the newly elected David Faber, 32; and Gray, 67, said they expected Stinson would get the nod and they would support her for the post.
Councilwoman Michelle Sandoval, a former mayor, would not disclose a preference or a prediction while Catharine Robinson, 67, and the newly elected Amy Howard, 33, were not available for comment last week.
Adams, Sandoval, Robinson and Faber have said they are not interested in the position this year.
Sandoval, who served two terms from 2007 to 2013, said she expected the office would be filled by “someone who has not been mayor and has experience on the council.”
Wonderful and difficult
“I’ve had my turn and it was wonderful and difficult, with the worst recession, no ferries and no bridge,” said Sandoval, 55.
“I think there are other folks that have leadership skills that we need to see.”
Gray said he found the position attractive but that his election was unlikely because he was “not in lockstep” with the majority of council members.
“I would like to be mayor,” Gray said.
“It’s important that all sides of the issues are represented.”
Adams said she has not heard any discussion about nominations of Stinson, but would do so if the opportunity arose.
“She has a lot of experience chairing various organizations,” Adams said of Stinson.
“She’s very thoughtful and in her second full term, so she has some experience.”
Obvious choice
Faber called Stinson “the obvious choice.”
“She lives and breathes for the city and everyone knows and likes her,” Faber said.
“She’s competent and smart, with the experience and commitment that the mayor needs.”
Stinson, 59, had a career in information technology before moving to Port Townsend, where she has been involved in the Local Investment Opportunities Network/Local 2020 and Quimper Mercantile, among others.
Once the new mayor is appointed by a majority of four votes, he or she will take over the meeting, according to City Manager David Timmons.
“I’m not taking anything for granted,” said Stinson, who was first elected in 2013 with a 19-vote margin over Jack Range and re-elected in 2013 with no opposition.
“I’ve learned that every vote counts.”
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
