With islanders just getting over one historic election, another is beginning to heat up.

On Nov. 3, islanders will elect members to 13 positions that are up for grabs in six taxing districts across the island (see box at the bottom of this page).

Thus far, it’s possible that there will be at least seven candidates for Bainbridge City Council. Meanwhile, Bainbridge Island School District board member Michael Foley and Bainbridge Metropolitan Park and Recreation board member Dave Shorett said they will not seek reelection.

Candidates for local office must file with the Kitsap County Auditor’s office by 5 p.m., June 5.

Some of the most closely watched contests will be the council races. Without a mayor to head the city, the council will oversee all affairs of the government. It will also be the first time voters can reveal the issues behind their dissatisfaction with the mayor-council form of government.

Thus far, seven potential candidates have expressed interest in running for the positions held by Kjell Stoknes (Central Ward), Chris Snow (South Ward) and Debbie Vancil (North Ward).

In the South Ward, incumbent Snow said he will likely run for a second term.

“I am leaning more towards running than being undecided,” Snow said this week.

He said the challenge of working with a new government and continually dealing with the financial troubles of the city pushed him towards running. He also hoped for new collaboration on the City Council.

“Someone said politics is the art of the possible and compromise is what makes it all possible,” Snow said. “I’d like to think that that can be the case.”

But Snow will likely face competition from two candidates who have not formally announced, but have expressed interest in running.

Kirsten Hytopoulos, a Blakely Heights resident and community activist, has long been seen by city watchers as a potential South Ward candidate.

When contacted this week, Hytopoulos said she had no comment on whether she would run for council. City officials, who chose to speak anonymously, confirmed this week her intentions to run for council.

Another South Ward resident, Curt Winston, who lost to Kim Brackett in the last council election, said he would run if Snow put his hat back in the race.

“I plan to go to Port Orchard on Wednesday,” Winston said. “If it looks like Snow has signed up, or someone of that persuasion, then I’ll file. I’m real close to that decision.”

Current Council chair Kjell Stoknes has said he will likely run for council again in the Central Ward.

“I’m thinking of running,” said Stoknes, who is looking forward to getting some solid feedback on issues, now that voters have spoken about the government.

“I’d like to take a platform and see where the community stands,” Stoknes said. “I think this is really positive move and now we can all take our stances on issues and let the voters decide.”

Stoknes may also face competition, though the field is far from set.

One potential candidate is Dee DuMont, who has expressed interest in running in the Central Ward. She will make her decision next week, she said when contacted this week.

Stoknes said he wants to concentrate on reining in discretionary spending in a potential second term.

“The council is the one who approves the budget and spending. Why did we choose to spend money on soccer fields and park land and open space. That should be the park district’s job,” he said.

It is the makeup of City Council candidates that incumbent Debbie Vancil is waiting out before deciding whether to run again. But the council-manager vote has a large say in her decision.

“If (the council-manager vote) had failed I was prepared to run for mayor,” she said. “The one thing I did say is that I wouldn’t run for council under strong-mayor government.”

Her decision may also hinge on whether Bob Scales, once a potential candidate for mayor, will run for the North Ward council position.

Both have spoken with each other about their potential candidacy.

“One of the difficulties is not knowing who is going to be running,” Scales said. “I wasn’t planning on running for council. I haven’t made that decision, but obviously I’ll have a week or so to decide.”

Shorett, Foley opt out

Two school board members are up for reelection in November. Current board president Mary Curtis said she will file for candidacy. Board member Michael Foley has decided to not run again.

“It has been a privilege to support the accomplished and dedicated people who are creating a first-class educational experience for our kids on a very tight budget,” Foley said in an email this week. “I have gotten as much as I have given for the time I have spent doing this and will look for other ways to participate.”

Two park district board seats are also open for contest. Board member Ken DeWitt said he plans to file for reelection.

Long-time park board member Dave Shorett will not file. Shorett said he was proud of the district’s accomplishments over the last decade. He also said he felt content leaving after seeing the district secure funding through its levy-lid lift.

“I just think it’s time for me to move on,” Shorett said.

As for his replacement, Shorett said he hopes to see young blood join the board.

“I think it would be especially helpful if it was someone with small children and someone active in sports on the island,” he said.

– Review reporter Tad Sooter contributed to this report.

Filing Time

The local candidate filing period for the Nov. 3 general election will open from 8 a.m. June 1 through 5 p.m. June 5.

Full guidelines for filing can be found on the Kitsap County elections website, www.kitsapgov.com/aud/elections, or by calling (360) 337-7128.

The following Bainbridge positions are open for filing (incumbents in parentheses):

City Council

Position 3, South Ward

(Chris Snow)

Position 5, Central Ward

(Kjell Stoknes)

Position 7, North Ward

(Debbie Vancil)

Park District Board

Position 2

(Ken DeWitt)

Position 4

(David Shorett)

School District Board

Director, District 2

(Michael Foley)

Director, District 5

(Mary Curtis)

Fire Department Commission

Position 1

(Scott Isenman)

Position 5

(Michael Adams)

Other positions: Crystral Springs Water District (three positions); Sewer District No. 7 (one position.)