NINE TO WATCH IN '09 | New crew in Coupeville

Democrats took full control of the Island County Board of Commissioners for the first time in the county’s history when Commissioner Helen Price Johnson and Commissioner-elect Angie Homola were sworn into office Friday.

The two Democrats were elected in November; Price Johnson beat incumbent Republican Phil Bakke for the District 1 position and Homola unseated 16-year-incumbent Republican Mac McDowell in District 2.

The pair join current Commission John Dean, a Democrat from Camano Island.

Ripples from the power shift are already being felt, mostly on planning issues.

Keith Dearborn, a Seattle attorney who has helped guide the county on land-use issues for nearly 25 years, told county officials he wouldn’t seek a new consultant contract after it became clear the new commissioners would not support a new contract.

And earlier this week, commissioners pulled back an appointment to the county planning commissioner after Homola raised concerns over McDowell’s preferred pick for the post.

Both Price Johnson and Homola ran on a platform of transparent and open government. And both also vowed to make county government more responsive to citizens.

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