Port Orchard Mayor Jay Weatherill will face his first serious challenge in the 20 years he’s been in office if Kim Abel gets her way. That is, if he runs for re-election. The rumors that he may run for county commissioner continue to be whispered — just as they have for the past eight years.

Abel, an energetic Port Orchard resident and self-proclaimed “government nerd” believes democracy depends on two-candidate elections and said she is always disappointed when incumbents run with little or no opposition.

Her announcement isn’t official since she can’t actually file any paperwork with the elections office until the last week of July, but she’s already started campaigning.

Abel says the mayor must foster good communication between residents and the city government, and that’s the area she believes needs the most improvement in Port Orchard.

“Citizens don’t feel a part of the process,” Abel said, and cited the sparse attendance at city council meetings as evidence. She feels putting city council meetings on BKAT — the local cable-access television channel — would be a good first step in improving the situation. She also serves on BKAT’s Advisory Board.

Abel, who moved to Port Orchard in 1997, previously worked as an attorney for the Washington Public Power Supply System (WPPSS) and recently finished a three-year stint as president of the League of Women Voters of Kitsap County. She also serves on the city’s Solid Waste Advisory Board and the South Kitsap Community Park Advisory Committee.

Abel said the primary thing she’s learned from her various committee work is that people just want to be heard and feel like someone cares about their opinions. “Not too many people in Port Orchard are involved in the process,” she said.

While attending the recent public hearing on ULID#6, the McCormick Woods Urban Growth Area expansion, she cited the anticipated growth that will come with the completion of the second Tacoma Narrows Bridge as something the city should be planning for without sacrificing its sense of community.

Abel believes the best way to do that is to invite individual neighborhoods to the table and find out what is most important to residents and what they might be willing to compromise on.

The Port Orchard mayor’s job is technically part time. The job description only requires a commitment of approximately 20 hours a week. However, Abel said being a public official should always be viewed as a full-time responsibility. “I think when you’re an elected official, you’re on duty 24-7.” she said.