Kingston applicant for county commission disqualified

Kingston's Glen Godfrey is no longer in the running for a county commission position after the Kitsap County Democratic Central Committee disqualified his application Tuesday.

Godfrey did not list a political affiliation on his application, according to a statement from the committee. Applicants to replace departing commission member Steve Bauer must be Democrats.

Godfrey said Wednesday morning he didn't realize party affiliation was a requirement and won't challenge the decision.

"I thought they were going to look at qualifications," he said. "I told the truth on the application."

Godfrey, a Gamble Bay Road resident, was one of six people who applied for the District 1 commission seat by the Feb. 11 deadline. Bauer resigned effective Feb. 28 to spend more time with his family. Four of the candidates — Linda Berry-Maraist of Poulsbo, Rob Gelder of Poulsbo, Clarence Moriwaki of Bainbridge and Laurie J. Serdahl of Poulsbo — expressed interest in the position two weeks ago. Godfrey and Sam Granato of Bainbridge Island were late additions to the field.

The applications are being screened by the Kitsap County Democratic Central Executive Board. Precinct Committee officers will nominate three applicants to commissioners Josh Brown and Charlotte Garrido for a final decision. The appointment could happen as early as Feb. 28.

Commissioners $109,907 a year. The board sets policy, approves laws and manages a $325 million budget. Terms are for four years, but the person appointed to succeed Bauer will have to run in the next election to complete his term, which expires in 2012.

Granato was the mayor of Winslow and first mayor of the incorporated City of Bainbridge Island.

"I gave it a lot of thought and decided that it's a position that will allow me to contribute a great deal to Kitsap County, where I've lived for 32 years," he told the Bainbridge Island Review on Monday.

Contact North Kitsap Herald North End Reporter Tad Sooter at tsooter@northkitsapherald.com or 360-779-4464.

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