Peterson tabbed as new county clerk

In the end, Dave Peterson’s extensive management and information systems background won him the Kitsap County Clerk job.

The Kitsap County Commissioners unanimously voted to appoint Peterson as the interim county clerk on Monday, Oct. 1. The Silverdale resident will serve until the position is up for grabs again in the 2002 election. Peterson was sworn in Tuesday, Oct. 2.

“In trying to figure out who to name as the next county clerk, the question went from ‘Will we find any qualified candidates?’ to ‘Which of these three qualified applicants should we go with?’” said County Commissioner Tim Botkin, who defeated Peterson in the 1998 Democratic commissioner primary. “I went with Dave because he has extensive experience in management, managing records and has been a community leader for years.”

County Commissioner Chris Endresen also wrestled with the decision.

All three commissioners said the two other candidates — current court services manager Shirley Johnson and South Kitsap attorney Susan Daniel — both had impressive experience and leadership qualities.

“Since I’ve been elected, this was the toughest decision I had to make,” said Angel, a first-term Republican. “I came up with Dave because he has shown community leadership and he has administrative experience.”

Peterson replaces Dean Logan, who left Kitsap County in early September to work as the director of elections under Secretary of State Sam Reed. The county was required under state law to name a Democrat to replace Logan, also a Democrat. Peterson is expected to complete Logan’s four-year term.

Peterson said he plans to run for the position in 2002, when it is open again during the election season.

Peterson currently works as an elections deputy in the Kitsap County Auditor’s Office, but will have to leave his post immediately to begin work as County Clerk.

“We’re in the middle of updating thousands of voter registration records,” he said. “I feel a little funny about leaving right now, although it will all work out because the department can reallocate staff and there are temporary folks working.”

Peterson also has nearly 30 years of experience as a teacher, library services coordinator and information services director for the Central Kitsap School District.

In the latter capacity, Peterson supervised 36 technical staff members, oversaw all CKSD technology installations and coordinated the library program, which involved supervising another 42 staff members with a combined total annual budget of $3.7 million by 1998.

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