Council election draws write-ins

Write-in candidates have surfaced for two of the Cathlamet Town Council positions on the November election ballot.

Former mayor and council member Dick Swart announced Friday that he was running as a write-in candidate for position 3.

Incumbent David Goodroe didn't file for re-election, and Angie Pugh, who filed during the regular filing period, has moved out of town and doesn't qualify for office as she is no longer a town resident, Swart said.

Over the weekend, some Cathlamet residents received a letter announcing Swart's candidacy and also urging voters to vote for Dale Jacobson as a write-in candidate for council Position 1. Steven McNicholas is the incumbent and has filed for re-election.

The mailing states that Jerry DeBriae, town fire chief, paid its expense.

Jacobson graduated from Wahkiakum High School in 1967, owned and operated a business in Long Beach, where he served as mayor. He has retired and moved back to Cathlamet.

The Eagle attempted to contact him for comment, but a family member said he was out of town on a trip.

Swart had contacted Auditor Diane Tischer to inform her that he was running as a write-in candidate.

Tischer said Tuesday that she hadn't heard from Jacobson, but notification isn't required.

"It just helps so that we know what the name is supposed to be," she said.

Also, Pugh hadn't formally withdrawn from the race, so her votes will be counted, Tischer said.

If she wins, she can contact the council to withdraw, and the council will appoint a replacement.