Community Council elections

Rodika Tollefson, KP News Months of meetings, researching, discussions and planning are about to culminate for a group of local residents when the newly created Key Peninsula Community Council holds its first election June 26. But the big work is only beginning. One thing organizers have not done was consider any priorities or important issues—a deliberate task left for the officially elected board. When the new directors enter their volunteer jobs in July, a committee that has been surveying residents about priorities will share the results that will help set the course. (Surveys are still available at the Key Center fire station, at the library and Safe Streets office in Key Center and at the two Peninsula Markets, and will be collected until June 26.) Other interim chairs and directors will also share their knowledge. “We want to make sure the elected council has the best information and the best chance to succeed,” Interim Chair Jeff Harris said. “We have not spelled out the book from A to Z…The elected directors will come to their own conclusions.” At press time, self-nominations were still coming in for each of the 14 seats that are determined based on population count per U.S. Census tract, with eight candidates declared so far. Although only one person will be elected per 1,000 people per each area and candidates must run in their precinct only, residents registered with the Community Council will vote for all 14 seats. Those who have not registered to vote will have the chance to do so at the voting polls, and those registered will receive ballots and candidate statements in the mail beginning the first week of June. Ballots may be mailed in (must be received by 4 p.m. June 26) or dropped off on Election Day, and will also be available at the polling locations. Voters do not have to be registered with Pierce County but must be registered with the Community Council. The votes will be counted after 4 p.m. on the same day and certified by a non-Key Pen resident, Harris said. The council will be operated as a nonprofit, nongovernment entity funded entirely by memberships, grants and donations, and will not have the power to tax or make regulations but instead will represent the community as a voice to Pierce County and other agencies and jurisdictions. County and elected representatives have previously expressed wide support for this type of community representation. Related Links: Candidate biographies Community Council seeks nominations (May Key Pen News)