Bulletin file photo

With ballots mailed out Wednesday, voters in some districts will soon notice there are a few boards that have open positions but no candidates.

The reason? It’s not always easy finding volunteers for local boards like water and sanitation: Members will tell you that.

Vince Pelly Sr. has served for six years on the board of the Crooked River Ranch Road District, which oversees about 80 miles of roads in its jurisdiction. The local homeowners association maintains the roads, Pelly said.

This election, he has decided not to run. At 84, Pelly wants to take a break; the position isn’t demanding, he says, but it comes with responsibilities, and he’d like to spend more time with his family.

No one is running to take over Pelly’s position.

Pelly admitted that when it comes to finding board members, “Everyone wants to complain, but no one wants to step up.”

Because no candidate filed, his position probably will be filled by write-ins on the ballot, according to Jefferson County Clerk Kathy Marston.

When there is no candidate, the county will total up any write-ins and let the district know who received how many votes. The person that receives the most will be offered the position.

If that person declines, the district then gets to appoint someone.

So as for right now, Pelly said, “It’s kind of up in the air.”

He thinks people should fulfill their civic responsibility.

“That may sound goody-two-shoes … but that’s the way my generation was raised,” said Pelly. “I don’t believe there are problems. There are situations and solutions.”

Other districts in Deschutes and Crook County are also facing a lack of candidates for open positions. Crook County Clerk Cheryl Seely said for small districts, the situation is not uncommon.

In Deschutes County, Dale Peer, district manager for the Laidlaw Water District, said it’s often the case where everyone wants positions filled but no one wants to do it. Two incumbents are running for two positions at Laidlaw, but no candidates filed to run for the remaining two.

Peer explained this was an oversight by the incumbents.

One of the members filled out the wrong paper to run for re-election and another turned in the form a day late; in other words, both want to serve again but didn’t file in time.

“We’re kind of a laid-back board, but we get down to business,” said Peer, who was a board member himself until four years ago, when the district manager decided to retire.

If the write-in option doesn’t work, Peer said the water district usually reappoints the incumbents if they’re interested again. If others come forward after the election filing deadline who want to take the incumbent’s place, then it would become like an interview process. But Peer also thinks that those seeking re-election can’t take their positions for granted.

“Just because they’re an incumbent doesn’t mean they’re best suited for the job,” said Peer.

In Crook County, no candidates filed for the Jordan Water Control District, which covers about 16 households. Fred Hisaw, who has served on the board for about 15 years, said that’s usually what’s expected for elections. Instead of formally filing in advance, residents in the area write in a name on the ballot, and the person who wins the majority of votes then decides to accept or decline.

Service usually rotates among the households, he said. “People will say, ‘I’ve had a break, I’m willing to come back and serve again.’”

But for some reason, Hisaw has stuck around on the board for an extended amount of time. He said even though he didn’t file, he wouldn’t mind serving again if that’s what the voters want.

“It’s up to them,” Hisaw said.

— Reporter: 541-383-0325,

kfisicaro@bendbulletin.com

Editor’s note: This article has been corrected. An earlier version of this article misstated the number of roads in Crooked River Ranch.

The Bulletin regrets the error.