And then there were two.

Scott Lancaster has announced he will run for county council in the upcoming November election. He will run against Rick Hughes, who released a statement about his candidacy in early May. The two men are competing for council position #4, Orcas West.

“After living here for 20 years, running one of the largest businesses on the island and being president of the Builders Association and on the school board, I think I have a good feel of the issues – from the Critical Areas Ordinance to the shoreline to solid waste,” Lancaster said.

Lancaster was general manager at Island Hardware and Supply before purchasing Ace Hardware in Eastsound four years ago. He and his wife Therese run the business together. Their son Patrick lives in California, where he works at an Ace Hardware in Oceanside. Their daughter Lindsay will be a junior next year at Orcas Island High School.

Scott has been on the Orcas School Board for seven years. His terms expires in November 2013, but if he wins the council election, he will resign. He has also been a Kiwanis member for 35 years and on the San Juan Builders Association for eight years.

One of Scott’s goals was to replace the county administrator, but Pete Rose recently resigned from that position. Last week, the council approved a consultant agreement with veteran government manager Robert W. Jean, who will serve as administrator until a permanent replacement is found. For more on that story, see page 7.

Scott is also concerned about the Community Development and Planning Department.

“The CDPD is a mess and needs to be seriously addressed,” he said.

Hughes said he is running for office because as an operator of a small business in Eastsound – Ray’s Pharmacy – and a former Fortune 100 executive, he has seen what it takes to run an organization in an efficient manner.

“I look forward to a good campaign with Rick,” Scott said. “It’s not going to get nasty. We will still be friends when this is over. But I think I have the edge on him with experience.”

Richard Fralick, who currently holds the Orcas West position, says he will not be seeking reelection.

“I have been actively engaged in county government for the past eight years,” Fralick said in a press release. “I now look forward to having the time and energy to pursue my many other interests. I thank my neighbors for giving me the opportunity to serve as their county council representative. It continues to be an honor.”

Even though his term is coming to an end, he says “it does not mean that my job is done.”

“Between now and the conclusion of my term I will continue to work hard to development strong fiscal policies, including the funding of appropriate fund reserves and consolidation of services that will bring long term financial stability to county government,” Fralick said. “I will also continue to work with my colleagues on the council to conclude the Critical Areas Ordinance update, bringing the county closer to Growth Management Act compliance … It is realistic to expect that a new Communication/ Wireless Ordinance will be passed, making improved emergency, broadband and wireless communication a possibility in San Juan County.”