OAK HARBOR — First-term incumbent Mayor Patty Cohen appeared on her way to a second term, opening a clear lead in early returns over Eric Gerber and Bob Morrison, both city council members.
Gerber held a slight edge over Morrison for the right to challenge Cohen in the general election Nov. 4, but the race was too close to call.
Morrison said he was not disturbed by the early returns.
"I think there’s a lot of numbers left to count," Morrison said. "It’s not that big a spread. And Eric and I split a lot among the same people. That’s one thing that’s hurting us in the runoff."
Cohen and Gerber could not be reached for comment.
The three candidates are familiar faces in Oak Harbor. Cohen and Gerber are Oak Harbor natives and Bob Morrison moved to town in 1971.
Morrison and Gerber each said earlier that the city needs a change in leadership because they said the city does not have a clear plan for economic development.
Cohen earlier said her experience serving five terms on the City Council and now one term as mayor has taught her that change comes slowly. Altering course now would not make sense, she said, because many of the cultural changes within the city’s staff that she has encouraged are starting to take effect. She supports creating special zones with business incentives and striking a balance between large retailers and small, local businesses.
Morrison said the city currently has a reputation in the business community of being difficult to work with, and he wants to streamline the permit process and make budgets more adjustable year-to-year. He said the city needs his management experience with the Navy and Boeing.
Gerber said the city could benefit from his master’s degree in public administration, which has taught him how to save money and better manage a city. He said the city should promote better jobs for Navy spouses, increasing tourism revenues and keeping utility rates under control.
The three candidates generally agreed that keeping Whidbey Naval Air Station should be a priority.
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