Fueled by outrage over the current city administration, a proposition to institute popular election of a strong mayor and a slate of three candidates took on SeaTac city government in the Nov. 3 election.

On Friday night, Nov. 6, King County Elections reported that only 29 votes separated the yes votes from the no votes on the initiative to switch from a city manager/ council form of government to an elected mayor/council.

As for the reform slate in the SeaTac council races, the early score card is one win, one loss and one too close to call.

In other closely-watched Highline council races, former Burien Deputy Mayor Jack Block Jr. defeated current Deputy Mayor Sue Blazak and Des Moines Councilman Dave Kaplan soundly beat Councilwoman Susan White for White's seat.

As for the long fight to save the Mt. Rainier Pool, Des Moines voters overwhelmingly approved setting up a separate pool district to fund and maintain the pool. But, on Friday night only two votes separated the two sides in a Normandy Park proposition that would have formed a park district to help fund the pool and city parks.

Burien voters decisively voted not to add a $25 license tab fee to fund two sidewalk projects.

SeaTac

In Friday night results, King County Elections reported 1,777 yes votes (49.60 percent) and 1,806 no votes (50.40 percent.) on the SeaTac proposition to elect a mayor citywide.

Currently the seven council members select a mayor from among their ranks. The mayor presides over the council meetings and represents the city at ceremonial events. A city manager, hired by the council, manages city staff.

Craig Ward was suspended and removed from his duties as city manager by council members on Oct. 22. Assistant City Manager Todd Cutts was elevated to acting city manager.

SeaTac Planning Commission chairman Rick Forschler and business process specialist Jonathan Standridge are also locked in a close race. As of Friday night. Forschler had 1,669 votes (50.09 percent) while Standridge had 1,652 votes (49.58 percent.)

Incumbent SeaTac Councilman Tony Anderson (58.10 percent) held off a challenge from Michael T. Kovacs (41.66 percent.)

However, Pam Fernald (54.97 percent) defeated appointed Councilman Barry Ladenburg (44.73 percent.)

Ladenburg was appointed to the council when Councilman Joe Brennan passed away.

Burien

In Burien, Jack Block Jr. (55.26 percent) unseated Councilwoman Sue Blazak (44.30 percent.)

Block had left the council to run for Port of Seattle commissioner but did not make it through the primary in 2007.

Mayor Joan McGilton and Councilwoman Rose Clark ran unopposed and will return to the council.

Burien Planning Commission chairman Brian Bennett will join the council after running unopposed for Councilwoman Sally Nelson's seat.

Nelson, who was elected to the council when Burien incorporated, did not seek reelection.

In the midst of a recession, Burien voters were in no mood to add a $25 charge to their license tab fee to fund sidewalk projects along South 136th Street.

Yes votes were 25.14 percent while the no votes were 74.86 percent.

Des Moines

Des Moines council races have often been contentious and this year followed the pattern.

Councilman Dave Kaplan withdrew his filing to run for his council seat, and, instead, filed to run against Councilwoman Susan White.

It proved to be a successful strategy as Kaplan received 59.42 percent of the votes while White received 40.12 percent.

Former Highline School Board president will succeed his father, Ed Pina, on the Des Moines Council. Matt Pina garnered 54.79 percent of the vote against Anne Farmer, who received 45 percent.

The younger Pina also had followed his father on the school board. Matt Pina's nephew, Michael Spear, has taken his school board seat.

In other Des Moines council races, incumbent Carmen L. Scott (52.08 percent) turned back a challenge from Melissa Ponder (47.63 percent) and school activist Melissa Musser sailed to victory unopposed for Kaplan's old seat.

With no organized opposition, the proposition to create a park district to fund and operate the Mt. Rainier Pool passed overwhelmingly with 64.19 percent of the vote.

With the proposition's successful passage, five commissioners were also elected to form the pool board. They are Gene Achziger, Eric Kasnick, Bernadette Barrett, Marty Martinson and Nancy Kuehnoel.

Normandy Park

While Des Moines voters handily approved formation of a pool district, in Normandy Park the vote was about as close as you can get in results reported Nov. 7. The proposition in Normandy Park called for setting up of a park district to fund the city's parks as well as the Mt. Rainier Pool.

The proposition received 1.255 yes votes (50.04 percent) and 1.253 no votes (49.96 percent.)

Incumbents Clarke Brant, John L. Rankin and Marion Yoshino ran unopposed.

Tukwila

Allan Ekberg garnered 62.41 percent of the vote in his council race against Jeremy J. Eide (36.88 percent.)

Verna Griffin, Joe Henry Duffie Sr. and De'Sean Quinn were reelected to the council without opposition.

Port of Seattle

Rob Holland (55.56 percent) bested David Doud (44.23 percent) in their race for Port commissioner.

Tom Albro (57.15 percent) defeated Max Vekich (42.16 percent) in another commission race.

John Creighton ran unopposed for reelection.

The Port commission oversees Sea-Tac International Airport.

Fire districts

Ray Austin (62.35 percent) defeated David Lawson (37.07 percent) in a race for North Highline fire commissioner.

John Rickeert received 63.83 percent of the vote while J. Roger Hershey received 35.99 percent in their race for South King Fire and Rescue commissioner.

Mike Freitas ran unopposed for another South King seat. South King serves Des Moines, Federal Way and parts of unincorporated King County.

School boards

Running unopposed, Angelica M. Alvarez was elected to the Highline School Board. She will replace Julie Burr Spani, who did not seek reelection.

Also running unopposed, Susan Goding was elected to a second term on the Highline board.

Marty Fertakis, Steven Mullet, Alicia Waterton and Dave Larson, all unopposed, were elected to the Tukwila School Board.

King County Council

A replacement will be selected to replace Dow Constantine, who was elected county executive in the Nov. 3 election. Constantine represented parts of Burien, SeaTac and Tukwila as well as Normandy Park, White Center, Vashon Island and West Seattle on the council.

Normandy Park Mayor Shawn McEvoy, state Sen. Joe McDermott and state Rep. Zack Hudgins have expressed interest in Constantine's seat.

Julia Patterson, who represents SeaTac and Des Moines on the council, ran unopposed and will return to the council.

Updated election results are available at www.your.kingcounty.gov/elections/200911.