Islanders now must decide between Bill Watson and incumbent Bob Jarman for District 1 County Council seat. The two candidates received the most votes in the primary, and will be on the ballot for the Nov. 8 general election.

San Juan County voters narrowed down the field in the race for District 1 County Council. Watson earned the most support with 34.84 percent percent, followed by Bob Jarman with 32.11 percent. The other candidates followed, Sheryl Albritton(13.84 percent), Steve Wehrly (10 percent), and Frank Penwell (8.9 percent).

“I think people are responding to my message, and the attributes that I put forth in experience and managing expectations, and being willing to listen to what their issues and concerns are,” said Watson after winning the popular vote in the primary.

However, the runner up is still confident in his chances to win the general election.

“I am ok with the outcome because there were so many people running for the office that a lot of those people, who voted for the other group (those eliminated in the primary), would have voted for me,” Jarman said. “I think there is a mixed bag right there.”

When asked about the issues dominating their platform, both candidates had a clear stance on the affordable housing issues in the county, and Jarman thought there were things he could do from his council chair to encourage development.

“We need to look at a way to make it attractive to developers to come and build affordable housing,” Jarman said. “We have to be creative in how we write our land use applications.”

Watson stuck with his four-pronged approach to cut investment costs for developers, which he outlined at the League of Women Voters candidate forum last month.

• A community land trust model that eliminates the cost of buying land for a developer, since the trust owns the land.

• Amortizing utility hook up costs over several years instead of one large charge at time of hook up.

• Zoning for tiny or modular homes to reduce construction costs.

• Revenue stream strategy to offset one of the costs of building property.

Watson also added a specific agenda to deal with issues facing farmers in the San Juans after the primary victory.

• Eliminate the conditional use permit requirement for farm stands.

• Re-working the regulations regarding farm housing and how it currently must be built in an agricultural open space.

• Re-defining the a farm worker to reflect the collaborative farming business model that is popular on the island.

After coming in second in the primary, Jarman said that citizens need him to see through the re-working of the county’s critical areas ordinance and his agenda for the ordinance is clear.

• Giving more control to ordinance directors

• Narrowing down the Island’s national inventory wetlands map.

• Properly defining our wetlands, so better distinguishing between ponds and wetlands.

Watson said that he has the tools for the council position and hopes to lead through effective management.

“I know how to manage people,” Watson said. “I know how to get things done through others.”

Jarman sold his deep roots, and love of the community as the biggest asset he brings to the position.

“I’ve always worked to preserve my community, and I want to protect these islands for my grandchildren and generations to come,” Jarman said.