Greenbank resident and blogger Rob Born should be applauded for throwing his hat in the ring and running for hospital commissioner after criticizing the hospital’s leadership for years.

Born is a little gruff and may not win, but at least he will bring up tough questions that haven’t come to the surface in previous elections. Too often, hospital commissioners have run unopposed.

After all, it’s easy to criticize from afar. Leadership is much more difficult.

Filing Week, which spans five days from May 11-15, is the chance for all those who’ve dreamed of making a contribution, or fixing problems real or perceived, by running for public office.

It’s a big year in local elections.

The mayors in all three municipalities on Whidbey Island have announced they won’t seek reelection.

Councilmen Bob Severns and Jim Campbell have announced plans to run for mayor. But as things stand right now, nobody has come forward to challenge any of the three council members — Rick Almberg, Tara Hizon and Beth Munns — who are each seeking reelection.

With the debate over the sewage treatment plant heating up, it’s the perfect opportunity for people with different viewpoints to step forward and make a difference.

Other positions that will be on the ballot include three Coupeville Town Council seats, three Oak Harbor school board seats, two Coupeville school board seats and all five commissioner seats on the North Whidbey Park and Recreation Board.

There’s two seats open on the hospital board.

Born is running for the seat currently held by Georgia Gardner, who said she’s running and welcomes challenger.

Nancy Fey, another hospital commissioner, said she does plan to run for reelection but has no challenger — at least not yet. She represents a district that includes much of Oak Harbor.

From the lowliest cemetery commissioner to the president of the United States, no elected position should go unchallenged.

For a democracy to work well, voters need to have options.

For details about how to file for office, visit the Island County Auditor’s Office’s home page or call 360-679-7366.