Forks, in Clallam County, Wash., is holding municipal elections on Nov. 2, 2021. Two city council seats are up for election this year. In total, the Sequim City Council is composed of five members and a mayor who serve four-year terms.

Candidates submitted statements to the Washington Secretary of State when they filed a Declaration of Candidacy for use in the Voter’s Pamphlet. Responses are republished here. They have not been altered in any way.

Forks City Council Position No. 2

Clinton W. Wood: “I grew up in this community enjoying our beautiful natural resources. After serving our country I moved back, met my wife and we started a family. I feel truly blessed for having been raised in such a close-knit community and can’t think of a better place to raise a family. I am proud to be a member of this community and would be honored to serve Forks.

My position as the Director of Facilities at Forks Community Hospital has given me many opportunities to work with the city, county, and state. I ensure that Forks Community Hospital is compliant with regulations such as building codes, life safety codes, Revised Codes of Washington State (RCW) and Washington Administrative Codes (WAC). I have also been involved with multiple Community Development Block Grants that have benefitted our community. I have conducted many environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). As the Director of Facilities, I oversee a budget of 3 million dollars. I believe with my background and experience I would be an asset as a member of the Forks City Council.

With your vote, I look forward to serving this community.”

To read Wood’s full statement, click here.

Josef Echeita: “My name is Josef Echeita and I am running for Forks City Council Position 2. I was raised in Forks and graduated from Forks High School in 2006. I moved back to Forks in in 2011 and have started to raise my own children here.

I had a great experience growing up in the city of Forks. I have made the choice to raise my kids here in Forks because I believe that this city is still the best place to raise a family. I want to work to keep Forks a place that is desirable to live. I believe this will be done through a continued positive relationship with local law enforcement and promoting programs targeting positive youth activities.

A vote for Josef Echeita for City Council is a vote for a candidate that believes in this town and knows what it is capable of. Please feel free to reach out to me with questions or concerns through Facebook (search @echeitaforcouncil or go to facebook.com/echeitaforcouncil) or via email at josefecheita@gmail.com”

To read Echeita’s full statement, click here.

Forks City Council Position No. 3

Joe Soha (incumbent) did not submit a candidate statement to the Washington Secretary of State.

Sarah Holmes: “Sarah Holmes is an Independent Progressive Conservative. She is an advocate for justice, individual freedoms, ethical governing, and unbiased politics. Sarah will strive to ensure that the residents of Forks are heard and that the decisions of their government are the collective decisions of its people.

Sarah is a mother of four, with children attending school in Forks. She’s the daughter of a family-operated business owner in Clallam County, and understands the importance of family, education, and a locally based economy. Growing up in rural towns in Washington State, she is a first-hand witness to economic disparities which are a primary cause for divide, and in so understands the need for a community-oriented government that functions well for all its citizens.

To keep Forks strong moving forward, it will be imperative to continually address topics which are relevant to the community and with respect to the future of our community, and to do so with integrity.”

To read Holmes’ full statement, click here.

Clallam County is holding municipal elections in its three cities—Port Angeles, Sequim, and Forks— in 2021. Twenty-six offices are up for election in those cities. Click here to read more about those elections.