On North Whidbey, this year’s campaign season is on and it’s time to mix some metaphors.

For those Whidbey Island residents who have a bone to pick with local government, this is the year to put your money where your mouth is.

Are you worried about the cost of Oak Harbor’s planned sewage treatment plant? Or maybe you’re concerned about the lack of transparency on the Whidbey General Hospital board?

Perhaps you want to see the turmoil end at the North Whidbey Park and Recreation District.

Then run for office. Candidate filing week starts May 11, which is really just around the corner.

There’s a long list of positions that will be on the ballot this November, both in Oak Harbor and Coupeville. It’s already stacking up to be a very lively election season that could result in significant political changes.

Mayors and three council members in both Oak Harbor and Coupeville will be on the ballot.

Nancy Conard, Coupeville’s long-time mayor, and two council members have already announced that they aren’t seeking reelection.

So far, nobody has announced plans to replace Conard.

In Oak Harbor, Councilman Bob Severns is running for mayor and Scott Dudley, who’s in his first term as mayor, said he likely will run again. There is no love lost between the two men, so the campaigns could get fiery.

Councilman Rick Almberg also announced he’s seeking reelection in order to head off rumors that he’s calling it quits.

In addition, the seats currently held by councilwomen Tara Hizon and Beth Munns will be on the ballot.

There’s two positions open on the Whidbey General Hospital board. It may seem like a daunting task to deal with the complexities of health care, but most board members have traditionally been regular people with no expertise in the medical field.

Like any elected board, it’s about setting policy and tone.

Then there’s the North Whidbey Park and Rec board. After years of dysfunction and a series of board members quitting, only one current member of the board was actually elected to the position. All five positions will be on the ballot.

Both the Oak Harbor School Board and the Coupeville School Board will have positions on the ballot. Neither entity has spawned much controversy or intrigue over the years but has done its job with efficiency and grace.

Yet it’s hard to imagine a more important elected position, whether you consider the oversight of a giant budget or children’s education.

Many other smaller, but important, positions will be on the ballot, including port, fire districts, cemetery districts and more.

In the end, it’s easy to complain but much more difficult — and meaningful — to govern. To mix metaphors once again, the squeaky wheel may get the grease but the true leader leads by example.