HENDERSON — A Town Council seat is up for grabs for Steven C. Cote or James T. Wiggins Jr. on Nov. 4.

The seat has been held by Julie A. West since December, when her husband, Barry C. West, resigned.

Mrs. West is a federal employee, and is prohibited by the Hatch Act from running for office in a partisan campaign. She decided not to run to keep her job.

Mr. Cote is running on the Democratic Party line. He has worked in the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department for more than 21 years and is a detective.

"There's a lack of promotion of the area," he said. "I'd like to find ways for the local government and businesses to start working off one another."

"In the '80s, a lot of people liked to come here," he said. "Now, of the establishments in Henderson Harbor, two establishments are open and four are closed. People are moving out of the area."

Mr. Cote has lived in Henderson since 2002 and Jefferson County for more than 30 years. His mother's side of the family was a founding family in Dexter.

"I like the community," he said. "I like that it's a quiet place."

But he said he thinks it can be improved.

Mr. Cote has watched several Town Council meetings, which are usually rancorous three-hour affairs.

"Everyone can have civil disagreements," Mr. Cote said. "We can have a sensible discussion about issues."

He will have a meet the candidate event at 2 p.m. Oct. 26 at the community center.

Mr. Wiggins, who is retired, was appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals in February.

He has lived in Henderson for 11 years. He unsuccessfully ran for a council seat in 2007 and the supervisor's position in 2005. He will again be running on the Republican Party line.

"I like the way things are happening right now," he said. "A unified board can get there much faster."

He said he would like to see the budget trimmed so that it can absorb the cost increases for items such as fuel and utilities and then cut the tax rate.

"Capital expenses should be kept to a minimum," he said. For example, he opposes a new building for town offices and the court system.

"I say stand back and see what the judicial system is going to do," he said. "But we should build a bench for the judges."

He said the town needs a more family-friendly harbor area.

"That harbor is basically male-oriented. There should be things for kids to do and for women to do."

He suggested using tax incentives to draw businesses here.

"We've got to give them a chance to survive here," he said. "And we've got to have things to keep our young people here."

He often attends council meetings, often voicing his opinion during public comment periods.

"Once you're sitting in that seat, it's a whole different ballgame," he said. He knows people are not always happy with council decisions. But, he said, "I've got ideas and I've got a backbone."