Democratic politics is a relay race. The runners in the political race can go a certain distance then they need to hand off their batons.

The temptation is to hold on and go a few more laps when one’s legs are giving out.

This is when democracy turns in on itself, looses its vigor, its ability to adapt and grow, to manage change and involve new generations in the process of governance.

The city of Sammamish is 10 years old and at a critical stage of development.

The long time citizens who lobbied for the establishment of the city ten years ago had a single, unambiguous issue, stop growth.

These days issues are more complex, and this election is important for our newer citizens who commute to jobs, shuffle kids on and off the plateau, struggle with a difficult economy, and wonder if they will ever be able to retire.

Within two weeks candidates for city council will publicly declare their intentions.

In this year’s political race, three incumbents, Jack Barry, Don Gerend, and Kathy Huckabay face a decision.

After a decade in office do they hold on to the political baton and try for four more laps around the track, or do they hand off their batons to new runners?

These are challenging times. New social issues confront us. Demographics are changing. We have more singles, more couples without kids, more working retirees. Our community is more diverse. Cities need to provide more than a bedroom and a backyard.

After 10 years in the race can they pick up the pace?

Even the best runners run out of steam.

If the community is to win there comes a time to hand off the baton.

John Galvin

Sammamish