Lichter to run for commissioner, vows to “bring people together”

“I want to see what I can do to make a difference,” said Alan Lichter, expressing confidence that he has both the skills and the experience to help county government better serve the needs of its citizens and operate more smoothly.

Lichter, who describes himself as a good listener, points specifically to his experience working in conflict resolution where, as a mediator, he was able to “bring people together,” he said.

With that, Lichter, 72, announced his candidacy last week for San Juan County Commissioner from District 2 (Orcas). He will run as a Democrat, and is expected to be opposed by incumbent Republican John Evans, although Evans has yet to formally decide whether to seek reelection. No other candidates have expressed interest in the job to date.

The filing deadline, however, is July 30, which is several months away.

Lichter grew up in Boston, but he and his wife Kate have lived on Orcas Island part-time since 1987, and full-time since 1996.

A licensed airplane pilot, Lichter participates in the Mercy Flight program, transporting cancer patients to mainland medical facilities for treatment. He is president of Airhawk Aviators, a non-profit group that provides scholarships for county teenagers seeking to obtain pilot licenses.

He and Kate are resource stewards at Moran State Park. They hike trails weekly, help trail users, and report problem areas to the park director. Lichter also founded the Tough Trekkers’ men’s hiking club on Orcas, which he still leads. He also does martial arts, and he describes himself as being in excellent physical shape.

A former professor of literature at the University of Kansas, Lichter has presented several lectures in literature and poetry at the Orcas Island Library, where he is a member of its book purchasing committee. He has also directed several Readers Theatre plays for Orcas Center.

Lichter says he loves San Juan County, calling it the most beautiful part of the United States. He expresses optimism about the county’s future, but says local government must “do a better job stewarding our human and natural resources. With other citizens, through a process of on-going and respectful dialogue, I plan to help build a government with vision broad enough to meet the needs of all islanders, and wisdom enough to relinquish power to the common voice.”

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