Challengers do well in Admirals Cove races

By Brian Kelly

Herald Writer

COUPEVILLE — A spirited battle for two positions on the Admirals Cove Water District will continue into November, as one incumbent was trailing and the other commissioner was clinging to a small lead in an unofficial tally Tuesday night.

Commissioner Howard Duncan faced a strong challenge from Sid Iverson, but the outvoted incumbent will again compete for his Position 2 seat against Iverson Nov. 6 in the general election.

Duncan said he was surprised at coming in second.

"I thought I would probably top out in the primary," Duncan said.

He said he thought voters would appreciate his 20-plus years of experience in water districts.

"It’s a surprise. It looks like they voted a different direction. That’s their prerogative," Duncan said, adding that his straight-shooting talk may have hurt him. "I’m not too well liked; I’m an outspoken person."

Adel Saba, the commissioner for Position 1, will face challenger Michael Shannon in the general election. Shannon was trailing by a small margin Tuesday.

There was widespread interest in serving on the district board. Eight residents had filed for two positions on the three-member governing board, which oversees the water district of approximately 365 homes near the Keystone ferry dock.

The race revolved around upgrades to the water district’s infrastructure system, with some wanting to wait before completing expensive improvements, while others said the work was necessary and couldn’t be postponed.

With 404 eligible voters, turnout was about 50 percent in the mail-in election.

It was the only contested race on the primary ballot in Island County.

You can call Herald Writer Brian Kelly at 425-339-3422 or send e-mail to kelly@heraldnet.com.