Longtime Poulsbo City Councilmember Ed Stern is facing off against former North Kitsap School Board Director Dan Weedin for Poulsbo Mayor in the upcoming Nov. 4 general election.

The position is a four-year term, beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Incumbent Becky Erickson is retiring after serving 16 years as the mayor of Poulsbo. The mayoral seat will be a part-time position beginning in 2026, as the city has previously hired Rob Gelder as its full-time city administrator. The position, under the direction of the mayor, acts as the chief administration officer of the city for day-to-day operations and makes recommendations to the mayor and council for policy, per the job description.

Stern has served on the council continuously since 1998 and has been re-elected numerous times. He is also president of the Association of Washington Cities, boardmember for Puget Sound Regional Council, governor-appointed member of the state Public Works Board and member of the Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council, per the voters pamphlet. Stern has also served on Kitsap Transit, Kitsap Economic Development Alliance and Poulsbo Rotary boards, among other community service roles.

His professional experience includes being former a community development director in the city of Livingston, Montana, and a retired financial advisor in Kitsap County. Stern holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology/Education from the University of California-Berkeley.

Weedin served on the NK School Board from 2009-2014. He is founder and president of Toro Consulting, Inc. (2005-present) and Weedin Insurance Group (2017 to present), per the voters pamphlet. He was the girls basketball coach at NK High School from 2000-2006 and is currently the school’s boys golf coach. Weedin holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Washington.

Both candidates were asked two questions to respond to.

What would be your top priorities if elected?

Stern: The top priority for any mayor has to be to keep the ‘wheels on the bus’ of city operations fluid and functional, with forward momentum to deliver the basic services regarding health, safety and quality of life the community expects with its tax dollars – – and seeing to it the ‘city team’ of dedicated employees is run effectively and efficiently. This is not attention-grabbing work, but it is essential. Cementing the new role of ‘City Administrator’ and its relationship to the revised role of what a ‘part-time’ mayor does and looks like will be critical over the next four years, and I bring deep appreciation and experience for getting this change ‘right!’

Past this basic responsibility, then, my top priorities for my term would begin with exploring alternatives as to what is now scheduled by the city for 2026 – required paid parking for residents to visit our downtown and waterfront park.

I would ask City Council to re-focus on parking with simply a time limit enforcement program for at least two years in order to test, measure and evaluate this step and its effectiveness in relieving parking congestion before assuming the paid parking model as currently being planned.

Another top priority would be to convene in early 2026 a blue ribbon commission of all the many different stakeholders in the question of creating affordable housing.

I would like to explore one approach in the form of a ‘public-private partnership’ solution, taking recently developed Accessory Dwelling Unit ultra-small residential home designs, in clusters of 12 connected ADUs in ‘cottage courts.’ This could afford a first-step ownership opportunity in a tiny home one could afford to buy, in addition to the many apartments that are now under construction in our community for rental. We have an entire generation being priced out of the American Dream of home ownership. This is wrong for our children. And it is wrong for our community to risk having priced out the mix of economic incomes, and young and old of all backgrounds, from being invested community members.

My ongoing long-term priority remains as it has the last three decades of my work on City Council, the buildout of Olympic College and Western Washington University branch campuses here in Poulsbo – an affordable and accessible higher education pathway locally, for our high school students from throughout the five counties of the peninsula/coastal region.

Weedin: Poulsbo is growing, and we need leadership ready to tackle the challenges that come with it. My priorities—strengthening infrastructure, expanding housing affordability, and preserving Poulsbo’s unique identity—are rooted in one belief: our city should work for everyone who calls it home.

Infrastructure: We cannot afford to let vital projects stall. I will push to complete the waterfront boardwalk, improve neighborhood streets, and create safe, accessible connections for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. My leadership style is collaborative and results-driven. I’ve spent decades rallying teams to move complex projects forward, and that’s exactly what Poulsbo needs to finish its “unfinished business.”

Affordable housing: Affordable housing is about creating realistic options for every stage of life, from young families to retirees. I will work with developers, city staff, and community partners to expand options that reflect Poulsbo’s needs. My focus is ensuring that teachers, first responders, and service workers—the people who strengthen our community—can afford to stay and thrive here.

Poulsbo’s identity: Growth is inevitable, but it must be balanced with preserving our charm. Our Scandinavian heritage, walkable downtown, and sense of community are why people love Poulsbo. I will champion responsible growth that respects our history while planning for the future. Transparency and meaningful engagement are key—I want residents to feel heard, included, and confident that Poulsbo’s character will endure.

Finally, I will make city leadership more visible and accessible. That means creating real opportunities for residents to share ideas, concerns, and solutions. Whether online or in person, your voice will help shape Poulsbo’s future.

Why should voters choose you over your opponent?

Stern: The complexity of delivering city services on budget, on time, while balancing ever-changing pressing demands and priorities requires keen experience that affords little room for error and guesswork that even well-intentioned ‘on-the-job training’ for inexperience in municipal government would require.

I also bring years of relationships and experience at every level of local, county, state and federal government, elected and professional people and positions.

I will take these skill sets and apply them starting on ‘day one’ to keep our community special and welcoming for all.

Weedin: Experience and adaptability set me apart. I’ve run businesses, served as school board president, led my Rotary Club, coached youth sports, and advised other leaders on tough challenges. That breadth of experience matters, especially now.

As Poulsbo transitions to a city administrator model, we need a mayor who understands how to build collaboration, communicate clearly, and advocate effectively at every level. That is what I have done my entire career. Whether it’s been as a business advisor, leader of an organization, or as a coach, my ability to communicate, collaborate, and engage others has been at the forefront.

Most importantly, I lead with transparency, urgency, and accountability. I listen before I act, I challenge the status quo when needed, and I always put people first. Poulsbo doesn’t just need a manager—it needs a leader who can reimagine how our city serves its residents.

If you want a mayor who will complete long-delayed projects, expand housing opportunities, protect what makes Poulsbo special, and keep your voice at the center of decision-making, I am ready to serve. Poulsbo is ready for fresh, forward-thinking leadership, and together, we can build a stronger future.