ELECTIONS 2024: Four vying for District 1 seat on Island County Board of Commissioners

Isabella Loy reports on the Island County elections for the Stanwood Camano News.

Two Democrats’ and two Republicans’ names are on the Aug. 6 primary election ballot for the Island County Board of Commissioners District 1 seat.

Incumbent Melanie Bacon, a Democrat, is running for reelection.

She is facing Steven Myers and Wanda J. Grone — both Republicans — along with Democrat Marie Shimada.

Each candidate submitted information for the voters’ pamphlet and most candidates submitted responses to a questionnaire sent out by the Stanwood Camano News.

They Said It

“I feel blessed to be an Island County Commissioner,” [Melanie Bacon] said in her voters’ pamphlet statement.

“My four top issues are healthy marine and forest ecosystems, water resources, affordable housing and transparency in government,” she said. “I am known for my ability to find wins for our residents by working collegially with partners outside of my political party, for my accessibility to citizens and for my emergency management work.”

“I am running for election to improve accountability and transparency of local government so it is more responsive to the needs of all of its residents and provides better public service for the taxes paid,” [Wanda Grone] said in an email to SC News. “Public service means the needs for ongoing operations and for emergency times.”

Grone said her experience as treasurer prepared her for the role of commissioner — especially in the budget department.

“My experience as treasurer and assisting other departments with their budgets gave me an understanding of the county’s budget process,” she said. “At the City of Langley, preparing all of the administrative and governmental revenues and expenditure projections and compiling the city’s budget enabled an overview of the process and understanding of the inflows and outflows of money to local government, the role played by grants and the statutes regulating government funds and uses for public monies and shared revenues.”

Grone said she is also tuned in to Camano Island issues, and as treasurer, she made sure to work out of the Camano Annex building regularly.

“I administered the debt offering that financed the construction of the new Camano Annex building, garnering lower issuance costs, a reduced interest rate and favorable terms by utilizing the State’s LOCAL program,” she said. “Once the building was completed, I transferred a deputy treasurer to Camano full-time to assist Camano residents with property and tax questions and problems and to provide better customer service.”

“Camano residents should not have to drive for 2 hours to talk to someone who can answer their questions,” she added.

“I am committed to ensuring that every taxpayer dollar is utilized to its fullest potential,” [Steven Myres] said in an email to SC News. “My background in fiscal management and project oversight uniquely qualifies me to navigate the challenges ahead and make informed decisions that benefit our community both now and in the long term.”

When it comes to managing growth, Myres said prioritizing infrastructure should be Island County’s foremost concern.

“For over two decades, the county’s Comprehensive Plan has highlighted deficiencies that continue to be critical issues,” he said. Preserving the unique character of our islands and protecting our shorelines are why I choose to call this my home.”

Myres said that his goal as a commissioner would be to engage with both Whidbey and Camano communities to develop localized emergency response teams.

“These teams will be organized through homeowners’ associations and local water districts, tailored to the unique needs of each community, and will ensure better coordination within the county structure,” he said. “This initiative will foster a deeper understanding of each community’s needs and enhance an often-overlooked aspect of local governance.”

In his commitment to serving all of Island County, Myres said transparency will be on the forefront if elected.

“One of the most important things to understand through this process is transparency,” he said. “Without transparency, trust is nearly impossible to achieve.”

[Marie Shimada] said in an email to SC News that she wanted to run because of concerns expressed to her about stagnant leadership in Island County.

“I am running to change this because I believe our community deserves better,” she said. “We need a community advocate who can champion local interests and issues while retaining and motivating Island County employees.”

“I am bringing back the passion, energy, and enthusiasm local residents have been missing in local government,” she added.

As a commissioner, Shimada said her priority would be retaining quality Island County staff and addressing the housing shortage.

“Beyond current government relationships, I have a strong history of public service having worked in the nonprofit sector and having experience working in the areas of higher education, veteran services, farmland preservation and food recovery, and family homelessness,” she said.

Shimada has served on the Economic Development Council and the Agricultural Resources Committee for Island County and said that experience prepared her to represent both islands.

“I have experience ensuring the voices of Camano Island are heard and understood through my work,” she said. “I am excited to work with District 3 leadership to continue representing Camano’s challenges and goals.”

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On The Ballot in August 2024

Island County Commissioner, District 1	Marie Shimada (D-Freeland) Melanie Bacon (D-Langley), the incumbent Steven Myres (R-Freeland) Wanda Grone (R-Langley)
Island County Commissioner, District 2	Phil Collier (R-Oak Harbor) Christina Elliott (D-Oak Harbor) Jill Johnson (R-Oak Harbor), the incumbent