Councilwoman Debbie Vancil just dropped me a line to say she will seek a third term representing the North Ward.
Vancil will face former council colleague Bob Scales, who announced his bid this morning.
Vancil plans to issue a statement tomorrow after filing for candidacy with the county auditor.
Former mayoral candidate Bob Scales today announced his candidacy for the North Ward City Council seat currently held by Debbie Vancil.
Scales, who served a recent four-year term for the second North Ward council seat, said he hopes to help the city’s transition to a council-manager form of government and ease tensions on the council.
“It is time to give the people what they voted for – real change and reform in City Hall,” Scales said in a statement.
Scales’ bid for mayor was cut short on May 19 when voters opted to eliminate the mayor position.
“While the voters probably had many different reasons for wanting a different type of government, one thing is very clear – there is widespread dissatisfaction with the way our city is currently being run,” he said.
Voters, he said, must also alter the current make-up of the council to initiate a new era of efficiency and public trust.
“A city cannot function well when there is constant infighting on the City Council,” he said. “When major decisions are made with one- vote margins, it produces uncertainty and anxiety.”
The 47-year-old North Madison Avenue resident works as a senior policy analyst for Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels. Scales moved to Bainbridge in 1999 after working as a King County deputy prosecutor.
Scales’ council term and his run for mayor focused on non-motorized transportation improvements, environmental preservation affordable housing and boosting cost-effectiveness in City Hall.
Vancil, who has served two terms on the council, has not decided whether she’ll seek reelection. Aware that Scales may run for her seat, Vancil noted late last month that she has a longer track record of community service on Bainbridge and is more of a consensus-builder than her potential opponent.
