Cary Bozeman, who serves as Director of the Olympic College Foundation, made official what everyone already knew — or at least suspected. He’s going to run for mayor of Bremerton.

The former three term Mayor of Bellevue and long time President of the King County Boys & Girls Club, Bozeman made the announcement to the press on April 24 at Pete’s Jersey Subs in Manette. He will face incumbent mayor Lynn Horton and former mayor Louis Mentor in the Fall primary. City council president John Law is also rumored to be eyeing the job, but couldn’t be reached for comment. The top two vote getters will face off in November.

Orphaned as a child in Texas, Bozeman struggled from humble beginnings to cap his King County career by earning the Most Outstanding Public Official in King County Award from the Municipal League. He also won the Outstanding Citizen Award from the City of Spokane, as well as the Salute to Cultural Diversity Award from Nordstrom Department Stores and the Women’s Center Award from Bellevue Community College.

Bozeman has lived and worked in Bremerton since 1996 and brings over twenty-five years of hands-on experience working with communities to the table. He says it’s time for the citizens of Bremerton to demand more from their government. “I’m not a believer in grand plans. Let’s keep it simple. Pave the streets. Bring in more ferry service. attract new jobs and businesses with a commitment to making this a first class city.”

He stresses that downtown needs to be a safe and attractive place. In speaking of his experience in the development of downtown Bellevue, he said, “I have been a part of delivering one of the best downtown cores in the country to the citizens of the community.” Bozeman says that experience will be an asset in helping Bremerton reinvent itself.

“Bremerton has enormous potential, but the lack of leadership has kept us from reaching that potential,” he stated. “Bremerton has all the building blocks in place — great waterfront views, a good housing stock, and a highly respected community college. Bremerton needs and deserves a higher level of experience and management ability. I can offer a track record of successful leadership and professional management with results that speak louder than words,” the candidate remarked.

Bozeman can be reached at (360) 405-0961 or carybozeman@qwest.net.