By Dennis Box

The Courier-Herald

The gates are open and the race is nearing the clubhouse turn.

The primary vote was certified Oct. 7 and the contested races in Bonney Lake are in full swing.

The mayoral candidates, city council members Neil Johnson and Jim Rackley, are on the mail and doorbell trail, talking with supporters as the Nov. 8 general election date nears.

Mayor Bob Young, who lost his bid for a third term, said he is supporting Rackley for mayor.

&#8221I'm not campaigning and no one has asked,“ Young said. &#8221But I am supporting Jim. I think he has a better understanding of what is ahead.“

Johnson said he has been out talking to folks in preparation for the election.

&#8221I'm getting a lot of feedback that people are excited about a fresh start,“ Johnson said. &#8221I'm hearing ‘no more houses' and a lot of concern about growth. I don't think we can say no more houses, but you can control our borders. We shouldn't be adding to our UGA (urban growth area), like Falling Water (development).“

Rackley said he is sending out a mailer and knocking on doors to get his message out.

&#8221Traffic is the top issue and growth - the South Hill effect,“ Rackley said. &#8221We have to slow down the big projects. There are no new ways off the hill for the next five to seven years. If we don't manage our growth we will choke ourselves to death.“

The contested city council race is between Deputy Mayor Dan Swatman and Melvain Donyes, who are running for the at-large position that has been held by Johnson.

Donyes said he is doorbelling, waving signs and talking to as many people as he can.

&#8221Traffic is an issue of personal interest to me since I'm a bus driver at Bonney Lake High School,“ Donyes said. &#8221I think with the traffic issue at the high school it is a good time to encourage car pooling at a young age. I'd like to work with the school district to encourage car pools. One option would be no parking privileges unless two people are in the car.“

Another central issue for Donyes is parks and open spaces, but he pointed out he is against condemning property for parks.

Swatman said his meetings with residents have been very good and informative.

&#8221What I'm hearing matches with what I think,“ Swatman said. &#8221I believe I can represent the city well. I tell people I'm not pro-growth; I'm pro-planning. The infrastructure has to be there before the growth.“

Two other candidates are running for the Council.

David King is running for a second term in Ward 1. He is unopposed.

David Bowen will be on the ballot for Swatman's seat in Ward 4. Bowen is also unopposed.

Victor Proulx and Tim Corliss are facing off for Fire Commission District 22, Position 4.

Andrew Longstreth and Alan D. Kosko are running for Fire Commission District 12, Position 3.

A complete list of candidates is available at the Pierce County Web site www.piercecountywa. org/pc/abtus/ourorg/aud/.

Dennis Box can be reached at dbox@courierherald.com.