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07/10/2005: "Oops! Webster Lives In Wrong District-Out of Race"

Scott Webster was a canidate for Port Commissioner, District 2, Port of Friday Harbor, but on Friday, July 8th, Dan Gillespie, San Juan County Elections Supervisor, and Mr. Webster discovered that Mr. Webster will not be eligible to run as a candidate for the position. There are three districts on San Juan Island, and a Commissioner runing for office is required by law to reside in the district they seek to serve.

Turns out that when Webster checked with the County as to which District he lived in, he was given incorrect information. In a press release, Mr. Gillespie is quoted as saying: "I regret that I mistakenly told Scott that he was a resident of District 2 when he called the office in June prior to announcing his intention to run." Mr Gillespie said. "I relied on an older record system, one that is in the process of being replaced. Today, as Scott was in the office picking up a set of filing documents, we decided to again confirm his eligibility. A more careful check, using the newer system, revealed that his lot lies on the district boundry line—unfortunately, the wrong side of it," said Gillespie.

"Clearly, I am disappointed at not being able to run, but I'm glad Dan caught the error early in the process. I was looking forward to the campaign," said Webster. "Barbara Marrett is a strong candidate, and I wish her well". While it is expected someone from the proper district will step forward to run prior to the deadline for filing, at this point the only canidate left is Marrett.