DARRINGTON — Kerry Frable decided against running for re-election to Position 5 on the Town Council, but three people stepped up to enter the primary election for his seat.
Retired teacher Mary Requa, Darrington motel owner David Singer and senior center volunteer Linda Smith are vying for the job.
Caring for older people, keeping kids busy, much-needed road work and economic development are on the minds of the Darrington candidates whose names will appear on the primary election ballot.
In this small town, where most people know each other and lend a hand when there is a need, Requa has even helped Smith with technical aspects of her opponent’s campaign. In the same spirit, Singer believes that it takes everybody in town to accomplish good work.
“It’s possible because when you get down to it, we’re all friends,” Requa said.
Darrington Town Council members earn $35 a meeting and often meet just once a month.
Also in Darrington, four people are on the primary ballot for Position 2 on the fire district board of commissioners and four people are running for the Position 3 seat on the Fire District 24 commission. The number of people running for the two spots is unprecedented.
They are Richard Dahl, Michael Fink, Dale Hamlin and Diane Holz running for Position 2, and Shari Brewer, Dale Coggins, Judith Nations and Daren Wagner running for Position 3.
Longtime fire district Commissioner Holley Ross died in May and Commissioner Steve Ekstrand decided not to run for re-election.
The interest in the commission comes after months of contentious debate about emergency services in the district.
Gale Fiege: gfiege@heraldnet.com; 425-339-3427.
Darrington Town Council Position 5
Mary Requa
Age: 68
Occupation: Retired longtime Darrington school teacher; senior center secretary
Education: University of Washington
In her own words: “If I am elected I will do my darnedest to do the best for this town. We need to move ahead, but keep the friendly ambiance.”
Top priorities: Help keep Darrington a good place to raise children. Encourage economic development.
Linda Smith
Age: 68
Occupation: Retired Walmart employee, senior center volunteer
Education: High school
In her own words: “We need some changes to get young families involved to help each other. And we need to treat everybody the same, with respect.”
Top priorities: Encourage job growth and Darrington Area Business Association; Get parents involved with children; Get illegal drugs out of Darrington.
David Singer
Age: 60
Occupation: Darrington Motor Inn owner, retired Army, Darrington Area Business Association treasurer, fire district volunteer
Education: Central Texas College
In his own words: “I would like to use my leadership and management skills to help the town. We may need to examine our codes and comprehensive plan to see how we can encourage economic growth.”
Top priorities: Start a Boys & Girls Club and keep kids busy; improve city streets; promote growth in the business district and promote tourism.
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