North Olympic Peninsula
VOTER GUIDE
for the general election ending November 6, 2018
n Congress n Clallam County n Jefferson County n Washington state
Published as a public service by the
Peninsula Daily News
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For the election ending November 6, 2018
North Olympic Peninsula VOTER GUIDE
Peninsula Daily News
Introduction
Be sure to vote by 8 p.m. Nov. 6 Guide to contested races in general election This special section of the Peninsula Daily News, available at www.peninsula dailynews.com, provides voters with vital information about the Nov. 6 general election. It includes candidate questionnaires and biographical profiles for contested races in Clallam and Jefferson counties, the 24th state Legislative District, the 6th Congressional District and U.S. Senate. Also included are “About the Job” articles with duties of the offices, compensation, election boundaries, meeting schedules and if they are partisan positions. The Voter Guide includes articles on a levy for Clallam Fire District 3, which also includes 375 Jefferson County voters, and a Sequim Transportation Benefit District sales and use tax proposition. It also includes articles on two North Olympic Peninsula Library System propositions on Sequim Library expansion and on a Port Townsend School District redistricting measure. Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb compiled and coordinated questionnaires, profiles and “About the Job” features. The Voter Guide was edited by Gottlieb and Executive Editor Leah Leach. Questionnaire answers were limited to 75 words per question and were edited for length, grammar and spelling.
UNCONTESTED RACES Six races are uncontested in Clallam and Jefferson counties. These candidates, all incumbents, are automatically elected unless write-in candidates file for the positions and win election. The uncontested positions, and incumbents are:
Clallam County
Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News
A Clallam County voter drops off a ballot at the Clallam County Courthouse last year. Ballots will be mailed to registered voters in Clallam and Jefferson counties Wednesday, Oct. 17, and are due in drop boxes in both counties, and at county auditors’ offices, by 8 p.m. Nov. 6, or must be postmarked by Nov. 6. For voters who are disabled, voting terminals are at the Clallam County Auditor’s Office at the county courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles, and the Jefferson County Auditor’s Office at the county courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend.
Where to Vote in Clallam County • County courthouse: 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles, drive-up drop box in front of main entrance and drop-box across from
disabled parking area. • Auditor’s office: Courthouse, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 6. • Sequim Village Shopping Center: Parking lot, J.C. Penney store, 651 W. Washington St. • Forks City Hall: 500 E. Division St., walk-up box outside at entrance • Clallam Bay Library: 16990 state Highway 112, walk-up at entrance • Neah Bay: Washburn General Store, 1450 Bayview Ave., walk-up to left of entrance • Additional drop boxes: Two are planned for Carlsborg at Sunny Farms Country Store’s parking lot, 261461 U.S. Highway 101, Sequim, and in Sekiu, Clallam County Public Utility District office, 15 Sekiu Air-
port Road.
Where to vote in Jefferson County • County courthouse: 1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend, drive-up drop box, parking lot. • Auditor’s office: Courthouse, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Nov. 6. • Jefferson County Library: 620 Cedar Ave., Port Hadlock, drive-up box, parking lot. • Brinnon Community Center: 306144 U.S. Highway 101, Brinnon, drive-up box, parking lot. • Quilcene Community Center: 294952 U.S. Highway 101, Quilcene, walk-up box, entrance. • Nordland Fire Station: 6633 Flagler Road, Nordland, drive-up box,
• Assessor: Pamela Rushton. • Auditor: Shoona Riggs. • Treasurer: Teresa Marchi.
Jefferson County • Assessor: Jeff Chapman. • Auditor: Rose Ann Carroll. • Clerk: Ruth Gordon. • Treasurer: Stacie Prada. parking lot.
Election Calendar • Oct. 17: Ballots mailed to voters. • Oct. 18: Last day to file as a write-in candidate and avoid paying a filing fee. • Oct. 19: 18-day voting period begins. • Oct. 29: Last day for in-person registration to vote in the general election for residents not already registered in Washington state. The deadline for Washington residents was Oct. 8. • Nov. 6: Ballots are due. • Nov. 27: County canvassing board certifies elec-
tion results. • Dec. 6: Last day for Secretary of State’s Office to certify election results.
Have questions? • Elections Center, Clallam County Auditor’s Office: 360-4172217; email elections@co. clallam.wa.us; online at tinyurl.com/PDN-Clallam Election. • Elections Center, Jefferson County Auditor’s Office: 360-385-9119; email elections@co. jefferson.wa.us; online at tinyurl.com/PDN-Jefferson Voting. • Secretary of State’s Office: tinyurl.com/PDNStateForVoters.
Peninsula Daily News
North Olympic Peninsula VOTER GUIDE
For the election ending November 6, 2018
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Senate
U.S. senator, state of Washington What changes would you propose to the Northwest Forest Plan? Cantwell: The federal government has a responsibility to ensure public forest lands are well-managed and able to continue to provide Washingtonians with living-wage jobs, sustain threatened and endangered wildlife populations and protect water quality. I continue to support the underlying principles of the Northwest Forest Plan. Hutchison: There should be a review of survey and management policies, and those policies that prevent harvesting, unfairly increase the cost of harvesting, or kill timber industry jobs should be repealed. When forests are not properly harvested, catastrophic wildfires are more frequent and more dangerous, harming wildlife, the environment and our quality of life. What steps would you take to address climate change? Cantwell: Washington is experiencing climate change as a result of human actions, and I am doing everything I can to fight and mitigate our changing climate. I’ve worked to grow Washington’s leadership in new energy technology jobs by promoting renewable energy over fossil fuels I oppose offshore drilling. Also, we must work to mitigate the effects of our changing climate by combating extreme wildfires and mitigating ocean acidification, which is harmful to shellfish growers. Hutchison: Concerns about climate change have to be a part of a worldwide effort. I believe in science-based, not political, solutions to issues regarding pollution and climate change. The recent wildfire smoke was
ABOUT THE JOB Partisan or nonpartisan: Partisan. Election boundaries: Statewide. Voters: 4.3 million as of Sept. 1. Term: Six years. Meetings: Year-round, except August. Compensation: $174,000 a year; same health and retirement benefits as federal employees, including eligibility for partial or full subsidies for health care through Affordable Care Act’s health exchanges; eligible for the Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employees Retirement System. Duties: The Senate has advice-and-consent powers under the Constitution. They include ratification of treaties by a two-thirds majority and by a simple majority for approval of appointments of cabinet members, ambassadors, and judges to the U.S. Supreme Court, federal district court and federal court of appeals. The Senate adjudicates impeachment proceedings initiated in the House of Representatives, with a two-thirds majority needed for conviction. not a result of climate change, but of poor forest management. What is your opinion of President Donald Trump? Cantwell: Many of President Trump’s policies are not good for Washington, whether it’s undermining health care, eliminating protections for pre-existing conditions, starting a trade war that is hurting farmers, raising park fees or pushing for offshore drilling. In the Senate, I’m focused on the priorities our state and our communities. Despite President Trump, I’ve worked to overcome partisan gridlock to get things done for students, seniors, veterans, women and working families who make Washington their home. Hutchison: As your senator, I will speak persuasively with the president about our state’s interests, something my #Resist opponent can’t do. Having at least one senator in the majority party is important
for our state to have a voice. And be assured, when President Trump’s policies are good for Washington state, I’ll support him. When they’re not, I can talk to him. What immigration enforcement policies do you favor? Cantwell: Washington state has a long history of welcoming immigrants. I have supported three comprehensive immigration reform proposals that increased border security and provided a pathway to citizenship for millions of people currently living in the shadows, including “Dreamers.” This administration needs to end its zero-tolerance policy that has separated thousands of children from their parents. We need to work to pass comprehensive immigration reform and I will fight for humane, rational and constructive immigration policies. Hutchison: Our immigration system is broken, with laws that
Maria Cantwell
Susan Hutchison
Party preference: Democratic Party. Residence: Edmonds. Occupation: U.S. senator. Education: Bachelor’s degree, public administration, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, 1980. Age as of Nov. 6, Election Day: 60. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? Yes, United States senator (2001-present); U.S. House of Representatives, 1993-1995; Washington state Legislature, House of Representatives, 1987-1993. Do you intend to serve a full term? Yes. Campaign website: www. cantwell.com. Phone: 206-682-7328. Email: info@cantwell.com.
Party preference: Republican Party. Residence: Seattle. Occupation: Last occupation, chair of Washington State Republican Party, August 2013-February 2018 Education: Bachelor’s degree in journalism, University of Florida, 1975; certificate, National Security Forum, U.S. Air Force Air University, Montgomery, Ala. Age as of Nov. 6, Election Day: 64. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? Ran unsuccessfully for King County Executive, 2009. Do you intend to serve a full term? Yes. Campaign website: www. susan4senate.com Phone: 206-880-1820. Email: susan@susan 4senate.com.
are some of the weakest in the world. The Democrats support open borders — a system that hurts workers, encourages human traf-
ficking and drug smuggling, and makes us vulnerable to terrorists. Please
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North Olympic Peninsula VOTER GUIDE
For the election ending November 6, 2018
Peninsula Daily News
House of Representatives
U.S. Representative, 6th District What weight should be given to economic factors when passing environmental laws? Dightman: An individual who cannot afford a tank of gas is not able to travel to a trailhead. We need to focus on ensuring that residents of the 6th District have jobs so they can enjoy the natural wonders it contains. We currently have a good balance of land use for parks and resource harvesting. New laws should not sacrifice jobs significantly or limit opportunities to enjoy the resources that exist. Kilmer: Having grown up in Port Angeles, I know we want a strong economy and strong environment. I brought industry and environmental leaders together to form the Olympic Forest Collaborative to show we can increase harvests and improve forest health. Environmental laws should be based on the best available science. They can also support eco-
nomic opportunities. In fact, America’s bedrock conservation laws have helped our economy grow through increased fishing, recreational tourism and shellfish harvesting. What immigration-control policies do you favor? Dightman: I favor enforcement of current immigration laws, continuing the current levels of legal immigration, revamping visiting worker programs so they can again work effectively, and building a wall to decrease the ease at which our national sovereignty can be violated. I support a pathway to legalization for DACA [Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals] individuals as they are productive members of society and earning the same benefits as other Americans. Kilmer: Our immigration laws aren’t working. That’s why I support comprehensive reform to boost our economy, shore up our nation’s borders and enforce existing laws. I’ve cosponsored the bipartisan USA Act, which would create a pathway to citizenship for
Douglas Dightman Derek Kilmer Candidates’ biographies appear on next page. “Dreamers,” invest in smart border security and address the instability in Central America that has exacerbated these issues. Our nation has complex immigration problems that require people from both parties to come together and focus on solutions. What steps would you take to address climate change? Dightman: We should continue to study the impact of mankind on our environment. We should let the powerful forces of the free market guide our response. An important part of this is taking away existing subsidies for the fossil fuel industry so there is an even playing field between energy dependence on
ABOUT THE JOB Partisan or nonpartisan: Partisan Election boundaries: Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor and Kitsap counties, and portions of Mason and Pierce counties. Voters: 448,000, including 52,000 in Clallam County and 25,000 in Jefferson County. Term: Two years. Meetings: Year-round, except August. Compensation: $174,000 a year; same health and retirement benefits as federal employees, including eligibility for partial or full subsidies for health care through the Affordable Care Act’s health exchanges; eligible for the Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employees Retirement System. Duties: Initiate all spending bills and pass legislation in concert with the Senate. A representative must be at least 25, a United States citizen for at least seven years and live in the state he or she represents. fossil fuels and cleaner, renewable options including wind, solar, biofuels, hydroelectric and nuclear power. Kilmer: Climate change is real. We’re seeing threats to coastal communities, more severe forest fires, changing ocean
chemistry impacting our shellfish industry, and other threats to our state’s economy. Too many politicians are catering to special interests and ignoring the scientific consensus on this issue. Please
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U.S. Senate, state of Washington/continued I support a humane immigration system that promotes legal entry and blocks illegal entry. I will support a border wall in every effective form: physical, electronic and law enforcement. What should be done to lower the cost of health care? Cantwell: I’m fighting every day for universal access to affordable, high-quality health care. I fought to stop this administration from stripping health care from 750,000 Washingtonians and eliminating protec-
tions for pre-existing conditions. I support improvements to the Affordable Care Act, like expansion of the Basic Health Plan, to lower premiums and out-ofpocket expenses. Prescription drugs must be more affordable, which is why I co-sponsored legislation to allow the safe importation of prescription drugs from Canada. Hutchison: As a military daughter and then wife, I know government health care, and I don’t recommend it.
The system was slow and uncaring, and you don’t even have a doctor of your own. I will work to find marketbased solutions to Obamacare’s confusion and skyrocketing premiums, putting patients and families in control of their own health care. I will fight against the inevitable mediocrity of a government-controlled medical system. Why should voters choose you over your opponent? Cantwell: Every day I fight to
do what’s right for Washingtonians. I’ve worked to ensure federal policies lift us all up, which is why I’ve promoted policies to help create family-wage jobs and prepare America’s workforce for 21st century innovation. I believe in protecting the health of our families and the environment. I believe in making smart long-term investments, like caring for our children and veterans, increasing affordable housing, making education affordable, and
rebuilding our infrastructure. Hutchison: The culture in [Washington,] D.C., is corrupted by lobbyists and special interests. Cantwell has been a politician for 25 years. It’s time to retire Cantwell. But don’t take my word for it, take hers, when 18 years ago she went after the incumbent for this Senate seat saying: “It’s time for a change. The issue is longevity in office.” I agree that Cantwell should not have a fourth term.
Peninsula Daily News
North Olympic Peninsula VOTER GUIDE
U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Representative, 6th District/continued
I support efforts to replace fossil fuels with cleaner energy sources; comprehensive, marketbased strategies that will reduce carbon emissions; increased fuel efficiency standards; and reengaging the rest of the world. What was your stand on President Donald Trump’s tax-cut plan? Dightman: I support the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The federal budget cannot be balanced by increasing taxes. The act appears to be resulting in better economic conditions reducing its impact on the deficit. It makes no sense to reverse course now. The best way to stimulate the economy is a reduction in taxes for both corporations and individuals who know best how to invest the money and lead to increased opportunities. Kilmer: This plan was a missed opportunity. America’s tax system is overly complicated and encourages businesses to send jobs overseas. Unfortunately, the president’s plan actually reduced incentives for corporations to invest in American jobs and will explode the national debt by at least $1.5 trillion in the first 10 years. Rather than a partisan plan written behind closed doors, America needs real tax reform that puts the interests of middleclass families and small businesses first. What should be done to lower the cost of health care? Dightman: The fastest growing cost associated with health care is administrative overhead. We need to address this problem directly by revamping the way we provide health care. We should be focusing on reducing cumbersome requirements like electronic medical records that have reduced physician productivity without leading to better patient care. We need to develop a system of care that allows patients more
flexibility to choose their providers so competition can lead to cost savings. Kilmer: Politicians in [Washington,] D.C. have created uncertainty and instability in America’s health-care system — increasing premiums and undermining rural providers. That’s wrong-headed. Rule 1 should be: “Do no harm.” I’ve pushed efforts to protect Medicare, ensure affordable access to prescriptions and maintain protections for folks with pre-existing conditions. Beyond that, I’ve sponsored bills to reduce health care costs for small businesses, stabilize the insurance market, improve access to primary care and Party preference: Repubstrengthen care in rural areas. lican Party. Why should voters choose Residence: Shelton. you over your opponent? Occupation: Family phyDightman: I will work to sician, Mason General Hospilighten our burdens associated tal and Family of Clinics, with a massive federal governShelton. ment. Education: Graduate, I will not vote to reverse the Tumwater High School, Tumrecent tax reform. water, 1988; graduate, UniverI will vote in support of a balsity of Washington, 1993; anced budget amendment so we graduate, master’s degree, stop gambling with our children’s public health, University of futures. Arizona, Tuscon, Ariz., 2002; I will demonstrate and push graduate, University of Washfor term limits and campaign ington School of Medicine, finance reform so that our repreSeattle, 2007. sentative will listen to us, not Age as of Nov. 6, Elec[Political Action Committees] and tion Day: 48. special-interest groups. Have you ever run for My opponent has failed to do or held elective public so. office? No. Kilmer: While middle-class Do you intend to serve families are getting squeezed, a full term? Yes. Congress is too focused on partiCampaign website: san bickering rather than proghttp://dightmanforcongress. ress. com/index.html. I’ve led by example — helping Phone: 360-490-7170. lead a coalition of Democrats and Email: dightman4 Republicans working together congress@gmail.com. toward common-sense solutions. I’m focused on creating more economic opportunities for more people in more places. That’s why a Washington in Congress. Post article named me as one of the 10 most effective Democrats I’m committed to getting this
For the election ending November 6, 2018
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State
Legislature 24th District Position 1 Mike Chapman, Jodi Wilke
Douglas Dightman
Derek Kilmer Party preference: Democratic Party. Residence: Gig Harbor. Occupation: U.S. representative. Education: Port Angeles High School graduate, 1992; bachelor’s degree, public policy, Princeton University, Princeton, N.J.; Ph.D., social policy, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom Age as of Nov. 6, Election Day: 44. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? Yes, member of the Washington state House of Representatives, 2005-2007; member of the Washington state Senate, 2007-2012; elected as a Democrat in 2012, 2014 and 2016 to the U.S. House of Representatives. Do you intend to serve a full term? Yes. Campaign website: www. derekkilmer.com. Phone: 253-572-4355. Email: info@derekkilmer. com economy and this Congress on track.
Candidates’ biographies, About the Job outline appear on next page. What tax increases, if any, would you support? Chapman: I believe that currently the state is collecting an adequate amount of revenue to fund essential services. I voted against a property tax increase in 2017 and for a property tax cut in 2018. Regarding taxes in the next legislative session, I am focused on securing small business and manufacturing [Business and Occupation] tax relief and further property tax reduction. Any proposed tax reform should be bipartisan and reduce property and B&O taxes statewide. Wilke: Washington state spending increased 45 percent over five years while population increased only 8 percent. Despite increased spending, last year’s Legislature voted to divert nearly $1 billion from our rainy-day fund. This excessive tax burden is straining our citizens, our families and our fixed-income residents. I oppose an income tax and resist any new taxes. Please
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North Olympic Peninsula VOTER GUIDE
For the election ending November 6, 2018
Legislature, position 1/continued
Any shift within the existing tax system should result in an overall reduction. It’s your money! You should keep it. Do you support or oppose firearms-control Initiative 1639? Chapman: It’s always preferable for the Legislature to take bipartisan action on firearm safety measures. I-1639 is an attempt by citizens to ensure that our schools and communities are safe. I have a concealed weapon permit and own multiple firearms. I-1639’s main issue is raising the age from 18 to 21 to purchase semiautomatic assault rifles. I co-sponsored similar legislation (HB1387) in 2017. As with all initiatives, the Legislature can adopt amendments if necessary. Wilke: I-1639 is ill-defined, unsafe and intrusive. Should gun owners be treated like second-class citizens? We’re expected to waive medical privacy rights, violating federal law. It defines age restrictions, imposes magazine limits in conflict with Second Amendment rights, and mandatory storage rules that criminalize owners and suggests invasive enforcement. When seconds count, family safety depends on quick, easy access to your protection I-1639 is an offense to so many rights, it doesn’t pass the smell test. What weight should be given to economic factors
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ABOUT THE JOB Partisan or nonpartisan: Partisan Election boundaries: Clallam and Jefferson counties and the northern half of Grays Harbor County, including Hoquiam. Voters: 99,500, including 52,000 in Clallam County and 25,000 in Jefferson County as of Sept. 1. Term: Two years. Meetings: 60 days beginning in January in even-numbered years, 105 days in odd-numbered years. The governor can call for a special 30-day session any time during the year. Compensation: $48,731 a year, $120 per day Duties: Draft bills, vote on state laws, address constituents’ complaints and concerns, serve on legislative and regional committees. when passing environmental laws? Chapman: We can have both environmental protection and a strong economy. The Olympic Peninsula sequesters carbon, reducing the effects of climate change, in our working forests. Products like cross-laminated timber will store carbon, provide affordable building materials and create jobs in rural Washington. My proposed bipartisan manufacturing B&O tax cut bill (HB 2992) will attract cross-laminated and other wood-basedproduct manufacturers to our rural communities to benefit our environment and increase livingwage jobs. Wilke: We struggle for balance between a zero-footprint environmental policy and one that honors the responsible habitation of our lands. Extremism on either side is unhealthy and unhelpful. Environmental laws exceeding federal statutes burden our economy and hurt our citizens. Poverty-stricken communities are less eco-friendly and less healthy. If public health and safety is the first obligation of good governing, then balanced environmental policies must do no harm but must put people first. Should legislators be subject to the state Public Records Act like all other elected officials? Chapman: Yes. I currently make all of my emails, calendar
items, legislative documents, public phone logs and any other information regarding my duties or actions as a state legislator available to the public. I support nothing short of full compliance with the Public Records Act. Wilke: The work legislators do on your behalf should be honorable and transparent. If confidentiality for constituents is required or security is at risk, portions can be redacted. Otherwise, the record should remain open. My opponent voted to exempt legislators from this law. Following public outcry, he joined his caucus in requesting that Gov. Inslee veto the law he voted for. Which is worse, attempting to conceal public records or trying to conceal the mistake? Why should voters choose you over your opponents? Chapman: As chair of the House Democrats Rural Economic Development Caucus, I’ll have the opportunity to continue to work on small business and occupation tax cuts, affordable housing policy, investments in public infrastructure and broadband and workforce training programs at our local colleges. As vice-chair of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, I’ll be in a strong position to continue to support sustainable natural resource management on the Peninsula, a major driver of our local economy. Wilke: Do you want higher
Mike Chapman
Jodi Wilke
Party preference: Democratic Party. Residence: Port Angeles. Occupation: District 24, Position 1, state representative. Education: Associate of Arts and Sciences degree, Shoreline Community College, Shoreline, 1993; bachelor’s degree, organizational management, Northwest College, Kirkland, 1998; master’s degree, leadership and liberal studies, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pa., 2001. Age as of Nov. 6, Election Day: 55. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? Yes. Served as Clallam County commissioner, 2001-2016; state representative, 2017-current. Do you intend to serve a full term? Yes. Campaign website: www. votemikechapman.com. Phone: 360-477-1131. Email: chapman@olypen. com.
Party preference: Republican Party. Residence: Port Townsend. Occupation: Licensed practical nurse. Education: Mercer Island High School graduate, 1978; general studies, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, 1979-1982; English, earth science, education, Eastern Washington University, 1991-1994; licensed practical nurse, associate degree, Skagit Valley College, Mount Vernon, 2012. Age as of Nov. 6, Election Day: 59. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? No. Do you intend to serve a full term? Yes. Campaign website: www. electjodiwilke.com. Phone: 360-301-9460. Email: jodi@electjodiwilke. com.
taxes, including a state income tax? A carbon tax would push costs skyward on the Peninsula. Can we afford it? Housing policies have produced shortages and higher costs. You deserve better! My experience before nursing
includes years of marine industry, contracting and mortgage industry specializing in investment real estate. This experience and my “neverquit” attitude sets me apart. You need a friend in Olympia who will fight for you, not against you.
Peninsula Daily News
North Olympic Peninsula VOTER GUIDE
For the election ending November 6, 2018
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State Legislature
24th District, Position 2
Jim McEntire
Steve Tharinger
Party preference: Republican Party. Residence: Sequim. Occupation: Retired U.S. Coast Guard Captain and federal senior civilian executive. Education: Bachelor’s degree, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, Conn., 1972; master’s degree, public administration, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., 1988. Age as of Nov. 6, Election Day: 68. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? Port of Port Angeles commissioner, 2008-2011, resigning after his election to the Clallam County Board of Commissioners; Clallam County commissioner, 2012Dec. 31, 2015. Do you intend to serve a full term? Yes. Campaign website: mcentireforwa.org. Phone: 360-775-7357. Email: jim@mcentire forwa.org.
Party preference: Democratic Party. Residence: Port Townsend. Occupation: State representative. Education: Bachelor’s degree, political science, Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colo., 1971. Age as of Nov. 6, Election Day: 69. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? Yes, three-term Clallam County commissioner, 2000-2012; 24th District state representative, 2011-present. Do you intend to serve a full term? Yes. Campaign website: None. Phone: 360-460-3079. Email: stharinger@gmail. com.
What tax increases, if any, would you support? McEntire: I would not support any tax or “fee” increase. Each of the quarterly state revenue forecasts for a good while has reported higher state revenues than originally anticipated. With state revenues increasing at a higher than expected rate, I see no need for more state revenue through either tax or “fee” increases. Tharinger: Our state revenues are adequate. The state needs a tax structure less dependent on sales, property, gross revenue and Business and Occupation taxes. I support diminishing these taxes and replacing lost revenue with a 2 percent-3 percent capital gains tax on capital gain investment income of over $500,000 per couple and over $250,000 per single filer, with exemptions for forests, farmlands and primary residences. This tax would affect the top 5,000 wealthiest capital gains taxpayers. Do you support or oppose firearms-control Initiative 1639? McEntire: Oppose. It blatantly discriminates against 18-to-21-year-olds simply on their age — these citizens can vote or join the military, and their Second Amendment rights are equally important. It mandates a state gun registry. It turns law-abiding citizens into potential felons if their firearms are stolen from their homes or businesses. It does not address commonsense school safety measures that also preserve law-abiding citizens’ constitutional rights to keep and bear arms. Tharinger: I support the Second Amendment and I-1639.
The initiative promotes responsible gun ownership that should help make our communities safer by raising the age to purchase a semi-automatic assault rifle from 18 to 21, which is the same as a handgun. I-1639 also strengthens incentives for secure storage of firearms. What weight should be given to economic factors when passing environmental laws? McEntire: Equal or greater weight. Our economy has shrunk by over 6 percent (inflationadjusted) in the last eight years, and 55 percent of our schoolchildren are eligible for free and reduced school meals. Protecting our environment is important. So is our economy. The state is about to go down the same path in trying to protect the marbled murrelet as we did in protecting the spotted owl. In our legislative district, we’ve seen that movie before. Tharinger: Good environmental policy is good economic policy; it is not one or the other, particularly when the long-term costs are factored in to maintain clean water and air. One of the major factors impacting salmon populations in Puget Sound and the orca population is the toxicity of our water from stormwater runoff. There are current costs for clean-up, but there will be returns in the future with a healthier, more productive Puget Sound. Should legislators be subject to the state Public Records Act like all other elected officials? McEntire: Emphatically yes. Legislators should not exempt themselves from the laws that they pass — especially where
openness and transparency are concerned. Local officials have learned how to comply with the Public Records Act, and legislators can, too. Tharinger: Yes, state legislators should be subject to the state Public Records Act. It would be helpful to have a third-party review by a judge to prevent frivolous record fishing expeditions that end up costing taxpayers money and do not serve the public interest. It is also important to protect sensitive personal information that has no bearing on public policy, such as health records of constituents. Why should voters choose you over your opponent? McEntire: I have a strong record in elected office of keeping taxes from taking more from family budgets — I have even cut the county’s sales tax. Having served my country for over 46 years, I understand public service. I have done everything to support our economy and to help it grow faster. I understand the needs of our local citizens, and I know how to listen well and make policy that works in our rural district. Tharinger: It has been an honor serving as your representative in Olympia for eight years, building relationships with Republicans and Democrats to get things done for the Peninsula: funding education, strengthening our rural healthcare system, promoting new forest products, making investments in parks and ports. Being Capital Budget Committee chair and on the Appropriations and Health Care committees, with your vote I will be in a position to continue working for the benefit of the Peninsula.
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North Olympic Peninsula VOTER GUIDE
For the election ending November 6, 2018
Peninsula Daily News
Clallam County
Clallam County commissioner, District 3 How will you fund services with increasingly inadequate revenues? Doherty: I have and will continue to partner with other jurisdictions to accomplish shared goals through distributed funding. I have represented Clallam County and counties statewide to achieve increased broadband in rural areas and preserve and expand public safety programs as well as health and social services in the District 3. I have been successful in bringing state and federal funding to address the local effects of climate change, affordable housing and drug and alcohol treatment. Peach: I do not advocate increasing taxes and have decreased taxes during my term. I support close financial management including monthly forecasts and discussion with all department heads about variances. We need to be careful with taxpayer dollars today and be careful about use of these dollars in the future. This includes careful maintenance of our healthy reserve and implementation of unfunded mandates. Should plastic shopping bags be banned in unincorporated Clallam County? Doherty: The majority of plastic bags are produced from non-renewable, fossil-fuel-based resources and do not decompose. Over time, they break down into small pieces that end up in our land and marine environments, consumed by wildlife and degrading the food chain. The production of these bags is energy intensive and create greenhouse gases, contributing unnecessarily to global climate change. Reusable bags are a better option. The manufacturing of reusable bags creates sustainable products and jobs. Peach: I would support improvements to recycling in District 3 such as including glass and improving the technology used to recycle plastic bags.
ABOUT THE JOB Partisan or nonpartisan: Partisan. Election boundaries: West Port Angeles, including Black Diamond and Dry Creek, to Neah Bay. Voters: 14,350, including 5,300 in six Port Angeles precincts. Term: Four years. Meetings: Work session Monday, regular meeting Tuesday. Compensation: $86,285 per year, not including benefits. Duties: Develop, implement and approve department budgets and a county general fund budget that in 2018 was approved at $39.9 million and pays for 405 fulltime-equivalent position; set a tax levy, approve county ordinances, approve the hiring of all employees and all terminations except for charter-exempt positions; serve on regional and statewide boards, serve on the eight-person county Board of Health, which enacts and enforces, through the public health officer, public health statutes and rules to promote and improve the public health. Banning narrows the scope of what we should recycle when we should broaden the scope. To what degree should the county diverge from state law that allows fireworks? Doherty: While Washington state law does not regulate the use of consumer fireworks purchased lawfully, it does not prevent cities or counties from regulating that use. This is a question of local control. The city of Port Angeles has chosen to ban the use of consumer fireworks within the city limits; the city of Forks has not. Please
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Howard V. “Mike” Doherty Jr.
Bill peach
Party preference: Democratic Party. Residence: Port Angeles. Occupation: Retired District 3 Clallam County commissioner. Education: Port Angeles High School graduate, 1961; associate degree, Peninsula College, Port Angeles, 1966; bachelor’s degree, political science, Gonzaga University, Spokane, 1968; postgraduate studies, constitutional law, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., 1969; master’s degree, juvenile counseling, Gonzaga University, 1972; law degree, Gonzaga University, 1972. Age as of Nov. 6, Election Day: 75. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? Elected to Clallam County Board of Freeholders, 1976-1977; elected county commissioner, 1977-1980; Port Angeles School Board, 1992-1996 and 1996-1998, resigned to run for Clallam County commissioner; Clallam County commissioner, District 3, 1998-2014; Clallam County Charter Review Commission, 2015. Do you intend to serve a full term? Yes. Campaign website: www.mike doherty.info. Phone: 360-457-9135. Email: doherty4commissioner@ gmail.com.
Party preference: Republican Party. Residence: Beaver. Occupation: Clallam County commissioner, District 3. Education: Bachelor’s degrees in civil engineering and forest engineering; master of business administration (MBA). Age as of Nov. 6, Election Day: 63. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? Clallam County commissioner, elected 2014 Do you intend to serve a full term? Yes Campaign website: billpeach4 countycommissioner.com. Phone: 360-640-8303. Email: graywolf7167@gmail.com.
North Olympic Peninsula VOTER GUIDE
Peninsula Daily News
For the election ending November 6, 2018
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Clallam County
Director of Community Development What would be your main role as Department of Community Development director? Gardiner: Oversight of the legal processing of complex development applications; longrange planning and analysis of trends (housing shortage); provide opportunities for ongoing citizen involvement; enforcement of violations that pose a threat to health and safety (sewage on the ground), and to ensure a stable building permit system. Winborn: My main role as DCD director is to serve the public; I take it very seriously and to heart. While I practiced architecture, I served my individual clients and now as your DCD director, I serve you collectively with the same dedication. What, if any, changes should be made in land-use regulations affecting bedand-breakfasts? Gardiner: The existing regulations penalize bed and breakfast inns (owner-occupied) with a five-room limitation as compared to no room
limit on their competitors, which include vacation rentals, motels and hotels (commercial enterprises). I will work with the industry to establish fair standards for owner-occupied inns that level the economic playing field by either raising the number of rooms or eliminating the limit altogether. Winborn: Bed-and-breakfast (B&B) land use regulations should better reflect the building codes in rural residential zoning. Some B&Bs are regulated very strictly under the building code, because they may actually be a motel, a hotel or a boarding house. Depending on their classification, they may require a strict fire-suppression system as well as fire-rated corridors and exit stairs. These types of B&Bs are better suited in urban settings with public sewer and water. What, if any, staffing changes would you make? Gardiner: Provide direct access to the court system for DCD enforcement actions by
hiring a lawyer to represent DCD cases and instruct enforcement officers on proper case development. Winborn: None. During my term in DCD, we have hired a building official and hydrogeologist, and fully staffed code enforcement with a hearing examiner process. We now process permits within two weeks and have the expertise to address countywide water issues and land use code violations. These changes were necessary to fully staff the department for the health of our community today and tomorrow. How aggressively should the DCD address land-use code violations? Gardiner: Code violations that involve raw sewage on the ground from squatting RVs and illegal structures on private land represent a direct threat to the health and safety of our communities, school system and quality of life in single-family neighborhoods. Depositing raw sewage on neighboring lands and into waterways is an act of war and
Julie Gardiner Mary Ellen Winborn Candidates’ biographies appear on next page. should not be tolerated. Very aggressive action is needed to address more than 300 estimated enforcement cases currently on file. Winborn: Our first objective is always to achieve voluntary compliance. Most people who violate our codes are not criminals and should not be treated as such. Land use code violations are now handled methodically and consistently through our newly established hearing examiner process. We then strive for ongoing compliance. Please
ABOUT THE JOB Partisan or nonpartisan: Nonpartisan. Election boundaries: Countywide. Voters: 52,250. Term: Four years. Compensation: $86,285 per year, not including benefits. Duties: Enforce and advise county commissioners on laws — except health — related to the environment, natural resources and land and shoreline development including zoning, land divisions, environmental policy, building and fire codes, forest management, mining, agriculture, watershed planning and floodplains, according to the Clallam County Charter, which establishes the only elected community development director in the U.S. Present comprehensive land use plans and use and development regulations for physical development of the county, according to the charter. Develop an annual general fund budget that in 2018 was approved at $4.1 million, including $2.4 million for long-range planning, and pays for 23.77 full-time-equivalent positions.
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Clallam County commissioner, District 3/continued The county board of commissioners should hold a public hearing to hear public opinions and consider policy options. Peach: Changes to the state fireworks laws in Clallam County should be considered by district. We have a large range in rainfall and population density in Clallam County and a one-sizefits-all solution is not appropriate. Public testimony included over 600 signatures opposing a ban in District 3 and concern about enforcement.
I look forward to meeting with the commissioners on this issue. What would you do to address the lack of affordable housing? Doherty: I have presented a plan to restore foreclosed and abandoned housing that will utilize existing infrastructure (roads, water, sewer, electrical, internet, etc.) while promoting “sweat equity” investments and improving our neighborhoods. The county should work with area cities and unincorporated communities to conduct public
hearings on code changes to encourage residential use in appropriate commercial buildings and more cost-effective restoration of older housing stock. Peach: We need more familywage jobs. Houses that were built when we had more manufacturing jobs are out of the price range of many people today because of their income. New construction costs have increased because of regulations. I will continue to carefully scrutinize regulations that
increase housing costs and inhibit job growth. Why should voters choose you over your opponent? Doherty: I have a long record of seeking public-interest solutions and acting upon them. I worked with residents in each of our diverse communities in District 3, pursuing opportunities to improve their county services. I worked with other local, regional and tribal governments, as well as public agencies, to achieve common objectives.
And I worked with our state and federal legislators and the governor’s office to ensure that Clallam County’s interests were always represented. Peach: I place a high value on transparency and collaboration because they lead to trust. The current county commissioners work well together. County employees recognize this, and morale is high. I am willing to listen and find solutions. Most importantly, I work for you.
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For the election ending November 6, 2018
North Olympic Peninsula VOTER GUIDE
Peninsula Daily News
Clallam County
Prosecuting Attorney-Coroner Julie Gardiner
Mary Ellen Winborn
Residence: Sequim. Occupation: General manager, Craig L. Miller and Associates (law firm), Port Angeles. Education: Sunnyside High School graduate, Sunnyside, 1975; bachelor’s degree, environmental design-anthropology, The Evergreen State College, Olympia, 1980; master’s degree, land use planning, University of Oregon, Eugene, Ore., 1984. Age as of Nov. 6, Election Day: 61. Have you ever run for or held elective public office: No. Do you intend to serve a full term? Yes. Campaign website: https://juliegardiner.com. Phone: cellphone, 360460-2796; office, 360-4573349. Email: julie@gardiner fordcd.com.
Residence: Port Angeles Occupation: Clallam County community development director. Education: Canton Academy High School graduate, Canton, Miss., 1977; studied industrial technology, Holmes Community College, Goodman, Miss., 1977; bachelor of architecture, Mississippi State University School of Architecture, 1991. Age as of Nov. 6, Election Day: 58. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? Yes, elected community development director in 2014. Do you intend to serve a full term? Yes. Campaign website: www. winborn4dcd.com. Phone: 360-417-2068. Email: winborndcd@ olypen.com.
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How much time will you spend in the courtroom prosecuting criminal cases? Barkhuis: About 20 percent of the time, attending Friday’s regular criminal calendars and any other hearings during the week related to cases I will be handling personally. That leaves 80 percent of the time to work on accomplishing the other four goals I have identified for pursuing justice while restoring trust and fiscal responsibility to the prosecutor’s office. Nichols: My leadership philosophy entails putting each employee within the prosecuting attorney’s office to their highest, best use. Consistent with this philosophy, I plan on spending approximately 25 percent of my time in court prosecuting criminal cases during my second term. The remainder of my time will be devoted to managing the office, including overseeing the budget,
implementing policy and engaging in community education and outreach, much as it has been during my first term in office. Would you change current staffing during your tenure? Barkhuis: One of my goals is to carefully review the prosecutor’s staffing and special deputy appointments and to make changes as are necessary to a) pursue equal and fair justice in the county’s courtrooms and b) provide competent and conflict-free legal support throughout the county courthouse, all as consistent with constitutional and statutory rule of law and the oath of office of duly elected officials. Nichols: No. Since assuming office in 2014, I made a number of changes to staffing levels within the office. As a result of these changes, we have increased the percentage of felony case filings by over 10 percent over the last four years and now prosecute the municipal court caseloads for the
Selinda Barkhuis, Mark Nichols Candidates’ biographies, About the Job outline appear on next page. cities of Port Angeles and Sequim under contract. Based on these changes, the office is now running smoothly and providing greater service to the community. How aggressively would you pursue establishment of a mental health court? Barkhuis: State law provides that it is the judiciary having the discretionary authority to establish therapeutic courts, including mental health courts. Please
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Clallam County Director of Community Development/continued Our ultimate goal is to give the citizens of Clallam County the assurance that they live in a safe and healthy community. Why should voters choose you over your opponent? Gardiner: I work well with other professionals-divisions in the county system necessary for the DCD to be effective including the sheriff, prosecutor, health and human services-environmental health, public works-engineering-roads.
When a controversy brews, I show up. I will address challenges before they cripple our economy and damage our quality of life, including rental housing shortage, climate refugees (RVs) and the protection of farm and resource lands from commercialresidential development. I am the only qualified candidate. Winborn: For the past 3½ years, the DCD staff and I have built a culture of camaraderie
and focused on you and your development project, and it shows! I am a development professional. I ran a successful architectural practice in Clallam County for 18 years, designing and administering development projects. I understand the needs of the person on the other side of the counter as well as the needs of the development community.
Peninsula Daily News
North Olympic Peninsula VOTER GUIDE
Clallam County prosecuting attorney-corner/continued
As prosecutor, I would certainly welcome the opportunity to work in conjunction with the judiciary to establish such a court, but I would refrain from “aggressively” pursuing this if the judiciary declines to so exercise its discretionary authority. Nichols: Clallam County sorely needs a mental health court to increase cooperation between two systems that traditionally have not worked closely together — mental health and criminal justice. Too often, individuals reoffend because they lack access to necessary treatment and care. Significant time researching mental health courts has convinced me to make this a high priority. As a result, I have already begun outreach to community stakeholders to discuss establishment of a mental health court. On what basis will you seek plea bargains over outright convictions? Barkhuis: In deciding whether a plea bargain would achieve justice, I will consider such factors as how the crime impacted the victim, the strength of admissible evidence, the impact a trial may have on any witnesses, the input of the arresting law enforcement agency, and the cooperation of the defendant. All the while striving to be fair, evenhanded and objective. Nichols: Plea bargaining is necessary to resolve cases provided the outcome promotes com-
munity safety, honors victims’ wishes and deters future misconduct. The prosecuting attorney’s office charges well over 2,000 criminal cases each year. Trial in every case would bankrupt government, clog courts so civil cases went unheard and result in dismissal of criminal cases under speedy trial rules. Our system simply can’t conduct 2000-plus trials a year; therefore, plea bargaining will continue under the above principles. Why should voters choose you over your opponent? Barkhuis: Voters should elect me as their prosecuting attorney because I have a proven track record of defending personal rights and pursuing access to justice as a busy courtroom lawyer in private practice from 1995 to 2002, a proven track record of executing the duties of elected office consistent with constitutional and statutory rule of law, and a proven track record of ardently championing the rights of taxpayers. Nichols: For over 20 years, I have worked with criminal justice issues: five years as a law enforcement officer, followed by 16 years in prosecution. I served under two different prosecutors, learning what does and does not advance safety, justice or service. I have successfully prosecuted adult and juvenile offenders while developing detailed understandings of the office’s civil function and the county’s legal needs.
For the election ending November 6, 2018
11
ABOUT THE JOB Partisan or nonpartisan: Partisan. Election boundaries: Countywide. Voters: 52,250. Term: Four years. Compensation: $153,588 per year, not including benefits. Duties: Submit, for approval by county commissioners, a general fund budget that in 2018 was approved at $3 million, including $2.6 million for operations, and covers 28 full-time-equivalent employees; act as legal advisor to county commissioners and department heads and all other county officials, precinct officers and school board members in the county; represent the county and county school districts in criminal and civil proceedings. As coroner, determine the manner and cause of death of deceased residents, orders autopsies, conducts death investigations, signs off on death certificates, which allows for disposition of remains.
I have the experience, plans, and expertise to effect positive change.
Selinda barkhuis
Mark Nichols
Party preference: No party preference. Residence: Port Angeles. Occupation: Lawyerwriter. Education: Bachelor’s degree, chemistry, Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, Ariz., 1989; master’s degree, chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, 1990; law degree, University of Washington School of Law, Seattle, 1994 Age as of Nov. 6, Election Day: 56. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? I have twice been elected Clallam County treasurer (2010, 2014) serving seven years (January 2011-December 2017), before resigning. I have also been elected as Charter Review Commission member (2014) serving a oneyear term (2015). Do you intend to serve a full term? Yes. Campaign website: www. barkhuis.com. Phone: 360-775-5658. Email: selinda@olypen. com.
Party preference: Republican Party. Residence: Port Angeles. Occupation: Clallam County prosecuting attorney/ ex-officio coroner. Education: Bachelor’s degree, University of Washington, Seattle, 1995; law enforcement certification, Skagit Valley College, Mount Vernon, 1996; law degree, Seattle University School of Law, Seattle, 2002. Age as of Nov. 6, Election Day: 46. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? Yes, elected Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney, 2014. Do you intend to serve a full term? Yes. Campaign website: https://nicholsforprosecutor. com. Phone: 360-461-7525. Email: markburnsnichols @hotmail.com.
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For the election ending November 6, 2018
North Olympic Peninsula VOTER GUIDE
Peninsula Daily News
Clallam County
Clallam County Sheriff How adequate is current deputy coverage? Benedict: Staffing is adequate for Clallam County. In comparison with all other counties in Washington state, Clallam County is slightly above average with 0.88 deputies per 1,000 population. Three deputy positions have been added over the last five years due to contracting with the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and reinstating cuts made during the financial downturn of 2009. McLaughlin: Coverage is inadequate, and we are putting citizens and deputies at risk. It is not unusual to see no deputy on duty between 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. We take officers from Sequim Police and Port Angeles Police to cover for the county for response calls. We often have two-six deputies on duty to cover the entire county — 2,600 square miles. In terms of deputies per thousand residents, we rank 29th out of 39 counties. Would you change anything in the current budget? Benedict: No, the budget has already been submitted for 2019. Funding is adequate for personnel and programs for the upcoming year. McLaughlin: I foresee no changes for the first three-six months until I know exactly why and where money is spent. My next goal would be to provide better deputy availability by backfilling vacant duty slots, costing roughly $60,000-$70,000 year. This will alleviate the “back-toback calls” dilemma that deputies see often. It would also inspire proactive policing. What is your opinion of deputies wearing body cameras? Benedict: In general, I support the use of technology such as dash cameras and body cameras. However, until the onerous and unworkable public disclosure laws are changed regarding these devices, we (or any medium-size
police agency) cannot afford the ancillary information technology and personnel costs associated with storing, redacting and disclosing these recordings. Once the public disclosure laws have been modified (currently in the works), I anticipate using these devices. McLaughlin: I support all methods of recording events, especially in law enforcement. The issue here would be cost. Ideally, we could fund them with grants. However, I will meet with our county commissioners and other law enforcement leaders to explore ways we can collaborate on common equipment and funding. How would you address the opioid crisis? Benedict: The crisis is being addressed through aggressive enforcement of drug trafficking laws by OPNET [the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team] and using Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT) in the jail to help inmates overcome opiate addictions. MAT was begun three years ago (the first program to be implemented in a Washington state jail) and is showing positive results. OPNET has been aggressive in the past five years, finding and arresting drug dealers selling heroin and opiates to Clallam County residents. McLaughlin: Continue using our jail’s existing program, which provides Suboxone treatment to affected individuals and which should be continued after their release. I will also refer individuals to the various local appropriate outreach-service organizations. It will take proactive communication with the courts to screen and assess drug addicts’ motivations and needs. Why should voters choose you over your opponent? Benedict: Experience and results count. I have been formally endorsed for re-election by both the Clallam
ABOUT THE JOB Partisan or nonpartisan: Nonpartisan. Election boundaries: Countywide. Voters: 52,250. Term: Four years. Compensation: $124,251 per year, not including benefits. Duties: Submit, for approval by county commissioners, a general fund budget that in 2018 was approved at $11.7 million that supports 97 full-timeequivalent positions. Accountable for performance of employees, through delegation to supervisors, of the jail, emergency services and staff engaged in patrol, investigations, detention and emergency services, and for hiring, termination, discipline and size of work staff; make final decisions on purchases; ensure the functions of the Sheriff’s Office are performed in a manner consistent with sound public relations techniques to maintain positive working relationships with elected officials and the general public. County Democratic Party and the Clallam County Republican Party. Additionally, I have been endorsed by the Sequim and Port Angeles Realtors Association, the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and numerous retired law enforcement executives in Clallam County. McLaughlin: I will bring a proactive approach to policing in Clallam County.
Bill Benedict
James “Jim” McLaughlin
Residence: Sequim. Occupation: Clallam County sheriff. Education: Bachelor’s degree, psychology, University of Michigan; master’s degree, applied physics- oceanography and meteorology, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif. Age as of Nov. 6, Election Day: 68. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? Yes, elected and reelected three times to the position of Clallam County sheriff. Do you intend to serve a full term? Yes. Campaign website: None. Phone: 360-460-5936. Email: eggplant@hvalley. net.
Residence: Port Angeles. Occupation: Aerial photography . Education: Bachelor’s degree, criminal justice administration, University of Phoenix, Phoenix, Ariz., 2012. Age as of Nov. 6, Election Day: 61. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? No. Do you intend to serve a full term? Yes. Campaign website: www. jimmclaughlinforsheriff.com/ home. Phone: 360-477-2134. Email: jimmclaughlinfor sheriff2018@gmail.com.
I will make it difficult, if not impossible, to sell stolen property in Clallam County. I will ensure victims of violent crimes are provided more followup care after an incident.
I will ensure background checks are conducted in ways that mitigate many of the loopholes. I will ensure an adequate number of deputies are on duty at all times to respond to our county’s needs.
Peninsula Daily News
North Olympic Peninsula VOTER GUIDE
For the election ending November 6, 2018
13
Clallam County
District Court 1
What is your judicial philosophy? Hayden: To be fair, honest and direct. To make sure people know they have been heard, whether or not I agree. To hold people accountable while allowing them resources for improvement. Neupert: I have heard and decided every type of District Court case. Everyone who appears in District Court must receive dignity and respect. Many people represent themselves in District Court on traffic infractions, small claims and protection-order cases. No one should leave the court wondering what just happened. Everyone deserves equal treatment under the law, regardless of his or her circumstances. I will continue to require offenders to make restitution to victims and to perform community service. How much should District Courts 1 and 2 collaborate? To what degree should they remain independent? Hayden: District Courts 1 and 2 should collaborate whenever taxpayer funds can be saved. By each District Court judge hearing the other District Court judge’s conflicts, there will be no need for the current $65,000 substitute judge fund. Each court should remain independent as reflected in the character and decision-making powers of the presiding judge. A specialty court in Port Angeles may have enough defendants to be feasible. The same may not hold true in Forks. Neupert: Both courts are independent as they serve different areas of Clallam County. My vision is for both courts to collaborate on the 24/7 sobriety program, which monitors defendants on pre-trail release and sentencing. I will work closely with Dis-
ABOUT THE JOB Partisan or nonpartisan: Nonpartisan. Election boundaries: Blyn to west of Lake Crescent. Voters: 47,700. Term: Four years. Compensation: $164,313 a year, not including benefits. Duties: Submit, for approval by county commissioners, a general fund budget that for 2018 was approved at $809,455 and pays for eight full-time-equivalent positions. Jurisdiction over criminal cases including misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, criminal trict Court 2 to develop a comprehensive behavioral health court for substance abuse and mental health issues. I will foster a working relationship with District Court 2 through open communication and improve cooperation with local tribal courts. What should be the court’s role in dealing with alcohol, drug and psychiatric issues that often underlie crime? Hayden: A court must hold offenders accountable no matter the underlying issue. A court should always be willing to allow sentencing to include a solution to any underlying matter in order to stop the revolving-door system. Neupert: Through my judicial experience in District Court and my work with Peninsula Behavioral Health, I know that effective substance abuse and mental health treatment will reduce recidivism and related jail costs. Alcohol abuse fuels the most serious crimes in District Court, including [driving under the influence] and domestic violence assaults.
traffic cases including driving under the influence, smallclaims civil cases. Juries are composed of six people. Impose a maximum penalty for gross misdemeanors of a year in jail and a $5,000 fine. Impose a maximum penalty for a misdemeanor of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Jurisdiction in civil cases such as traffic infractions and for damages and contract disputes totalling up to $75,000. Jurisdiction for small claims of up to $5,000.
Suzanne M.B. Hayden
DAVE NEUPERT
Residence: Port Angeles. Occupation: Clallam Public Defender staff attorney for Clallam County Juvenile Court. Education: Bachelor’s degree, Japan studies, Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington, Seattle, 1990; law degree, Gonzaga University School of Law, Spokane, 1995. Age as of Nov. 6, Election Day: 62 Have you ever run for or held elective public office? No. Do you intend to serve a full term? Yes. Campaign website: suzannehayden4judge.com. Phone: 360-457-1139. Email: SuzanneHayden forDCijudge@hotmail.com.
Residence: Port Angeles. Occupation: General legal counsel, Peninsula Housing Authority, Port Angeles; judge pro tem and court commissioner, Clallam County District Court 1. Education: Bachelor’s degree, journalism, The Evergreen State College, Olympia, 1978, and also attended the University of Washington, Seattle; law degree, University of Puget Sound School of Law, Tacoma, 1986 Age as of Nov. 6, Election Day: 63 Have you ever run for or held elective public office? Yes, ran unsuccessfully for Clallam County Superior Court judge in 2016. Do you intend to serve a full term? Yes. Campaign website: Dave Neupert.com; Facebook.com/ DaveNeupertForJudge. Phone: 360-808-4489. Email: DaveNeupert Campaign@gmail.com.
I will bring treatment providers, District Court probation officers, prosecutors and defense attorneys together to improve access to treatment services while holding offenders accountable. What would be your top priority? Hayden: Eliminating wasteful costs to taxpayers, while using local services to address underlying issues in order to stop the revolving-door system. Neupert: Establishing a collaborative and comprehensive behavioral health court to combine existing therapeutic court programs with new approaches to address substance abuse and mental health issues, especially those affecting our veterans. This forward approach will reduce repeat offenses, which protects crime victims, their families and our community. It will also lower the jail cost for taxpayers. I will always make sure that domestic violence victims are the accused. well protected while safeguarding the constitutional rights of Why should voters choose
you over your opponent? Please
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North Olympic Peninsula VOTER GUIDE
For the election ending November 6, 2018
Peninsula Daily News
Clallam County
District Court 2
What is your judicial philosophy? Black: District courts are rehabilitative courts. I have always given top priority to advocating for recovery from alcohol, substance abuse and addiction. Rohrer: My judicial philosophy is basically an extension of my own personal philosophy. For example, I believe that core concepts such as fairness, honesty and “treating others as you would want to be treated” should play a meaningful role in all settings, including the courtroom. How much should District Courts 1 and 2 collaborate. To what degree should they remain independent? Black: I advocate for worksharing and cooperation between the two courts, but independence regarding administration. Rohrer: The two district courts were intentionally created so that each court is independent and serves its own constituents. That being said, during the 12 years I served as District Court 2 judge in Forks, I not only volunteered to assist District Court 1 by presiding over its “overflow” trials, but also assisted Superior Court by handling West End truancy cases as a commissioner and by serving as an elected judge pro tem (AR 6). What should be the court’s role in dealing with alcohol, drug and psychiatric issues that often underlie crime? Black: Modernizing the court by incorporating the 24/7 program and a DUI court, also recovery houses, opioid treatment for addicts and those who
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ABOUT THE JOB Partisan or nonpartisan: Nonpartisan. Election boundaries: West of Lake Crescent to Neah Bay. Voters: 4,500. Term: Four years. Compensation: As a parttime position — 0.60 full-timeequivalent — the salary is $98,588, not including benefits. Duties: Submit, for approval by county commissioners, a general fund budget that for 2018 was approved at $354,827 and pays for 2.91 full-time-equivalent positions. Jurisdiction over criminal cases including misdemeansuffer from mental health problems to sustain a safe and healthy community. Rohrer: The majority of criminal defendants appearing before me over the past 18 years have had at least some level of mental health or substance use disorder. The court’s role is to be able to identify such issues and to respond appropriately. As the primary judge for Superior Court Adult Drug Court for the past three years, I am a staunch supporter of restorative justice. However, I also have an equally strong focus on victims’ rights. What would be your top priority? Black: Rehabilitative justice in District Court 2 for those who need it, accountability to those who violate the law and refuse to change and give back to the community. Rohrer: My top priority will be to fulfill my oath to support the Constitution of the United States and the constitution and laws of the state of Washington,
ors, gross misdemeanors, criminal traffic cases including driving under the influence, small-claims civil cases. Juries are composed of six people. Impose a maximum penalty for gross misdemeanors of a year in jail and a $5,000 fine. Impose a maximum penalty for a misdemeanor of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Jurisdiction in civil cases such as traffic infractions and for damages and contract disputes of up to $75,000. Jurisdiction for small claims of up to $5,000. and to perform the duties of District Court 2 judge faithfully and impartially and to the best of my ability. Specific goals include meaningfully expanding community service options, revisiting providing service to West Jefferson County and initiating a West End high school mock trial or teen court program. Why should voters choose you over your opponent? Black: I’m not running for this position to retire. I plan on working to modernize this court. Rohrer: I am far more qualified than my opponent. I served as District Court 2 judge in Forks for 12 years and then as Superior Court judge for the past six years. I presided over hundreds of trials during an 18-year judicial career. My opponent has virtually no judicial experience. Additionally, my wife, Cari, and I have lived in the West End since 2001 and have contributed significantly to the community over the years.
JOHN D. BLACK
ERIK ROHRER
Residence: Forks. Occupation: Lawyer. Education: Associate degree, Peninsula College, 1994; bachelor’s degree, liberal arts, University of Washington, Tacoma, 1996; law degree, Seattle University School of Law, 2000; The National Judicial College, Reno, Nev., 2018. Age as of Nov. 6, Election Day: 67. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? No. Do you intend to serve a full term? Yes. Campaign website: None. Phone: 360-374-4533. Email: jdblack@olypen. com.
Residence: Forks area, 18 miles east of Forks. Occupation: Presiding judge, Clallam County Superior Court. Education: High school diploma, Issaquah High School, Issaquah, 1976; bachelor’s degree, philosophy, Western Washington University, Bellingham, 1980; law degree, Willamette University College of Law, Salem, Ore., 1985. Age as of Nov. 6, Election Day: 60. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? Yes, I currently serve as an elected Superior Court judge; appointed District Court 2 judge in 2001, elected in 2002, 2006 and 2010, resigned in 2012. Do you intend to serve a full term? Yes. Campaign website: face book.com/JudgeErikRohrer. Phone: 360-327-3316. Email: erik.rohrer@yahoo. com.
District court 1/continued Hayden: I am the candidate for change. I have very specific plans of action to implement immediately. My endorsements recognize I am the best candidate: State Sen. Kevin Van De Wege, Washington State Supreme Court Justice Susan Owens, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Council, Clallam County Superior Court Judge Brian Coughenour and retired Clallam County Superior Court Judge Kenneth Williams,
just to name a few. Neupert: My community leadership, proven courtroom track record and being rated No. 1 in all categories by the 2018 Clallam County Bar Association poll make me the best choice. I am the only candidate with District Court judicial experience. I volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, Peninsula Behavioral Health, United Way, and Pro Bono Lawyers, which informs me of the community’s needs and priorities.
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Clallam County
PUD commissioner, District 1 What is your strategy for focusing on alternative energy sources such as wind and solar? Simpson: As commissioners, we will comply with the state-mandated Initiative 937 Energy Independence Act. These rules dictate the amount of green energy and conservation that the utility must acquire each year. We need to do this to stay in compliance with state law. Waddell: External to PUD, it is important to take advantage of the shift in the power markets over the last 10 years and seek to incorporate these renewables into the PUD portfolio of power purchases. Important because wind-solar now have competitive price advantages over the PUD’s current portfolio limited to hydroelectric power, fossil fuels and nuclear. Internally, we need to facilitate and/or incentivize solar as it builds resiliency and is a hedge on increasing power costs. Should dams be removed if they cause Bonneville Power Administration rate increase? Simpson: Dams should not be removed at this time. We can and do store water to generate electricity when we need it. There is no successful way to store large quantities of electricity from solar and wind. While this may happen in the next decade, we should not consider dam removal until this is a reality. Other issues need to be considered in dam removal as well, such as cost of energy, irrigation and flood control. Waddell: Yes, that’s just common sense. Dams are different in terms of cost, performance and river flows. Corps of Engineers and BPA reports-studies of federal dams along with cost evaluations and power outputs show that the four Snake River dams are not cost effective and should be decommissioned. BPA is selling large surpluses of power at a loss. Breaching these four dams would
reduce this by 20 percent, reducing rates and/or shifting funds to other dams. What would you do to keep electric rates affordable? Simpson: The electric rates in the Northwest are the lowest in the United States. They are low because of the low cost of hydroelectric generation. I will continue to help protect our existing system so there will be lowcost power for generations to come. Waddell: Because 60 percent of our power bill is the cost we pay BPA for electricity, I would champion an effort with fellow commissioners and PUDs to compel BPA to take serious cost reductions through decommissioning losing assets. The PUD has not aggressively challenged the nearly exclusive marketing of hydropower by BPA in spite of the 1940 charter language stating the PUD will “reduce rates” and “compel electric companies themselves to make rate reductions.” Should employees and commissioners continue receiving 75 cents per mile for travel costs? Simpson: More than 10 years ago, the utility made a choice between maintaining a fleet of vehicles for use of employees on official business, or to pay employees by the mile to use their own personal vehicles when on official business. Our calculations of these costs showed that the PUD saves money by not having a large fleet of vehicles to maintain. We asked the federal government for their formula for determining the federal mileage rate. They would not give us that information, so we did our own calculation. This cost proves to be less than maintaining a fleet of vehicles, which in the end saves the ratepayers money. Waddell: No, it is unfair to continually increase electricity rates for customers while we pay ourselves 20 cents more per mile than the standard government rates across the country.
ABOUT THE JOB Partisan or nonpartisan: Nonpartisan. Election boundaries: Clallam County except the city of Port Angeles. Voters: 39,700. Term: Six years. Meetings: Second and fourth Monday. Compensation: Maximum annual monetary compensation of $48,724 in salary and per-diem payments, health insurance for themselves and their families and 75 cents a mile for official business. Duties: Approve an annual general fund budget that for 2018 is $67 million for electric operations, $7 million for water operations and $58,500 for sewer operations and pays for 132 full-time-equivalent positions. Hire the general manager, treasurer and auditor. How can we demand BPA, the Corps and others reduce costs if we don’t lead with cost-cutting examples like this? Why should voters choose you over your opponent? Simpson: Born and raised in Clallam County, I have a true understanding of our area, its economics and the issues that affect its residents. I am proud to have been a part of the good service the PUD has provided to its customers for the last 34 years. Waddell: I have been a public servant for 35 years with the Army Corps of Engineers, serving at all levels, more often directly addressing
TED SIMPSON
JIM WADDELL
Residence: Port Angeles. Occupation: Current Clallam Public Utility District commissioner, retired owner, Angeles Electric, Inc., Port Angeles. Education: Olympic College, Bremerton; Peninsula College, Port Angeles; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers apprenticeship training program. Age as of Nov. 6, Election Day: 76. Have you ever run for office? Elected to District 2 seat on the PUD board in 1984, 1990; elected to the District 3 PUD board seat in 1994, 2000, 2006, 2012. Do you intend to serve a full term? Yes. Campaign website: tedsimpsonpud.com. Phone: 360-457-9344. E-mail: angelelec@ olympus.net.
Residence: Port Angeles. Occupation: Retired, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Education: Chamblee High School graduate, Chamblee, Ga.; bachelor’s degree, civil engineering, The Citadel, Charleston, S.C., 1975. Age as of Nov. 6, Election Day: 65. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? No. Do you intend to serve a full term? Yes. Campaign website: www. waddell4pud.org. Phone: 360-775-7799. Email: waddell4PUD@ gmail.com.
cost issues on complex projects, such as hydroelectric dams or developing policies to reduce project costs. This experience is important in dealing with BPA, the Corps and
other groups in trying to reduce rates. We can no longer accept an old business model. It is time for fresh thinking and leadership.
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Peninsula Daily News
Clallam Fire District 3 looks for ‘lift’ from voters Levy lid lift proposal will help keep support services, safety By Michael Dashiell Olympic Peninsula News Group
SEQUIM — An increase in emergency calls and constraints on how much funding the district can raise has prompted Clallam County Fire District 3 officials to seek help from taxpayers. The district covers the east side of Clallam County with a small portion in Jefferson County. The district has proposed a six-year levy lid lift, a measure that would “lift” the levy rate for district property owners from $1.26 per $1,000 of assessed valuation to $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. Approval requires a simple majority of 50 percent plus one vote. If approved, the owner of a $250,000 home would pay an additional $60 in property taxes to the fire district in 2019. The proposed levy lid lift with a CPI-based inflator would generate more than $1 million in new revenue for the fire district in 2019 and about $8.3 million over six years, Fire District 3 Chief Ben Andrews said. Auditors in both counties will mail ballots to registered voters Oct. 17. Officials say a levy lid lift is needed to allow the district to keep up with the cost of doing business. Funding would be used to
maintain emergency service levels, improve staffing where possible, train personnel and fund facility and apparatus needs. The fire district has experienced a 33 percent increase emergency call volumes in the past seven years, district officials said. “We have an obligation to be open and transparent with our community about what we’re facing,” Andrews said. “That’s why we are coming to the community now before service levels are impacted. We want to continue providing the quality service people have come to expect from our fire district.” Without a levy lid lift, Fire District 3 would forced to cut services and staff in 2022, according to Andrews’ projections. Voters originally approved a general levy of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value in 2004. Since that time, the general levy has fallen to $1.26. From 2020 to 2024, the levy rate would be tied to the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue consumer price index (CPI) with an annual cap of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. The ballot measure would allow the fire district to maintain its revenue stream for six years by either the statutory 1 percent or the region’s CPI, fire district officials said.
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Clallam County Fire District 3
Firefighters work together to douse flames with the fire truck hose. The district is dedicating most resources to a “boots on the ground” response, officials said in a recent news release — meaning emergency personnel are so busy responding to calls that they have little time for training, commercial building walk-throughs, or other tasks they say are important to public safety. In September 2017, Fire District 3 commissioners considered a three-year federal grant that would have added six firefighters to the workforce. It would have given the district about $1.007 million to cover 75 percent of wage and benefit costs in 2018 and 2019 and
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rom 2020 to 2024, the levy rate would be tied to the SeattleTacoma-Bellevue consumer price index (CPI) with an annual cap of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. The ballot measure would allow the fire district to maintain its revenue stream for six years by either the statutory 1 percent or the region’s CPI, fire district officials said.
35 percent in 2020. However, commissioners turned the grant down when they considered the cost — about $1.1 million over those three years — compared to the district’s reserves. Securing a levy lid lift from voters in November could allow the district to secure grants such as these,
Andrews said. Costs to provide service will exceed revenue in 2019 and start draining reserves to maintain current service levels, fire district officials said. The district’s $9 million annual budget is funded by a general levy (68 percent), an Emergency Medical Services levy (26 percent) and other revenues like charges
for service (3 percent), timber tax funds (2 percent) and donations and grants (1 percent). Fire District 3 responds to about 7,300 emergency calls per year. The district has 47 full- and part-time employees and operates three full-time (24-hour) stations and four volunteer stations.
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Sequim residents will decide in November to renew the Transportation Benefit District’s two-tenths of 1 percent sales tax at the same rate through 2029. Since 2010, it’s generated about $5 million for various street projects such as overlaying roadways such as Govan Avenue.
Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group
Sequim seeking TBD tax renewal Sales tax would remain two-tenths of 1 percent By Matthew Nash
Olympic Peninsula News Group
SEQUIM — Sequim residents will decide Nov. 6 whether to keep the sales and use tax for the Transportation Benefit District for another 10 years. If voters renew the tax, the sales tax rate of two-tenths of 1 percent would continue through Dec. 31, 2029, without a break in collection going into 2020. Voters approved the sales tax in November 200. The tax has brought in more than $5 million for Transportation Improvement Projects since April 2010, when it came into effect. Projects have included rehabilitating roads,
building sidewalks and improving street lighting. Public Works Director David Garlington said the Transportation Benefit District (TBD) tax brings in about one-third of the city’s annual funding for street projects. “[That number] alone shows how incredibly important it is,” Garlington said. “Essentially, these are projects that would not have been done without that funding.” Garlington said funding for some street projects, such as finishing crosswalks compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act on Blake Avenue near Carrie
Blake Community Park, would have come from the city’s general fund if not for the TBD. “It’s allowed us to go beyond doing basic maintenance and to improve upon our transportation program,” Garlington said. In March, the Sequim City Council unanimously approved putting the Transportation Benefit District proposal on the general election ballot. While the 10-year TBD tax doesn’t expire until Dec. 31, 2019, city staff said they wanted to bring a renewal before voters during an anticipated higher voter turnout in the Nov. 6 general election and because it would cost less with more items on the ballot. City Attorney Kristina NelsonGross previously said if the renewal were to fail this year, the city could ask again in 2019. Voters narrowly defeated the TBD in November 2008 on the first attempt with 50.91 percent
(1,701) opposed to the tax. One year later, voters approved it with 58.15 percent (1,373) yes votes. Garlington said he hasn’t heard of any resistance to continuing the tax and no one signed on to write a negative comment for the Clallam County Voter’s Guide against it. He said some may oppose it simply because they don’t want new taxes. “My immediate response is that it is a sales tax, but it’s not a new sales tax,” Garlington said. Funds collected go only toward transportation projects, Garlington said, and city staff estimate about two-thirds of monies collected comes from people living outside of city limits. The Transportation Benefit District has grown from $314,000 in 2010 to more than $700,000 in 2017. Last year, $561,000 paid for pavement preservation and $100,000 for crack sealing.
Through the years, it has also paid for dozens of projects including an overlaying of River Road and reconstructing pavement on McCurdy Road, North Seventh Avenue and West Prairie Street. Garlington said cities across the state including Sequim seek legislation to grandfather in Transportation Benefit Districts so that cities don’t need to keep going to voters. For more information about the Transportation Benefit District, call 360-683-4908 or visit the Sequim Civic Center at 152 W. Cedar St. Ballots will be mailed to registered voters Oct. 17.
________ Matthew Nash is a reporter with the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which is composed of Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. Reach him at mnash@sequimgazette.com.
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Peninsula Daily News
Sequim Library aims to expand location By Erin Hawkins
Olympic Peninsula News Group
SEQUIM — Two propositions on the Nov. 6 election ballot could change the face of the Sequim Library. The propositions on the general election ballot could lead to expanding the 1983 Sequim Library building from 6,050 square feet to 17,000 square feet. Proposition 1 would create the Sequim Library Capital Facilities Area tax district with roughly the same boundaries as Sequim School District — approximately from Blue Mountain Road to the Jefferson County line past Diamond Point. Passage requires a simple majority of 50 percent plus one vote. Proposition 2 would finance the expansion of the Sequim Library by allowing issuance of up to $12.4 million in general obligation bonds, which would mature within 21 years. Approval of the measure also would allow the Sequim Library Facilities Area board to levy property taxes to repay the bonds. Proposition 2 must pass by a supermajority 60 percent plus one vote. The Clallam County elections office will mail ballots to registered voters on Wednesday. The new Sequim Library expansion will cost $13.4 million, with $1 million coming from library system reserves and the rest coming from bond and tax levies. If voters approve both propositions, it will cost taxpayers less than $5 per month for owners of properties with an assessed value of $250,000. Margaret Jakubcin, executive director of the North Olympic Library System — which oversees libraries in Sequim, Port Angeles, Forks and Clallam Bay — said the two propositions are the result of a long-standing community conversation. Jakubcin said library system representatives have worked with community groups and citizens for several years to develop a plan for expanding the Sequim Library. “I think the need is pretty well understood,” Jakubcin said.
Erin Hawkins/Olympic Peninsula News Group
Sequim Library customer service specialist Mary Cote talks with Lindy MacLaine about a DVD at the Sequim Library. “Libraries are all about information,” she added. “We certainly encourage others to inform themselves for the good of the civic process.” If Proposition 1 passes and Proposition 2 does not, the law states that an entity can run the bond measure again once within a two-year period, Jakubcin said. “If you support this, vote ‘yes’ twice,” she said. “A ‘no’ vote on either one is a ’no’ vote on both.” If both of the measures do not pass, Jakubcin said the board will consider how to move forward through a public process.
Campaign efforts “A big part of our effort is educating people about the fact that the [Sequim] library is too small,” said Paula Barnes, a campaign steering committee member. “The library service is being constrained by that small building,” she said. “We’re really lucky to have enough space on the existing property to build a bigger library.” Barnes said it’s important for voters and community members to know there are two propositions on the ballot. “We’re working on educating people on how that will work,”
she said. A “yes” vote on Proposition 1 creates the Sequim Library Capital Facilities Area tax district, and a “yes” vote on Proposition 2 finances the expansion of the project by approving $12.4 million of voter approved bonds, which can be paid off through a property tax levy. A “no” vote on Proposition 1 would not create a tax district and therefore would not allow for the issuance of bonds. A “yes” vote on Proposition 1 and a “no” vote on Proposition 2 would create a tax district but not approve a bond, and the library
system could run the bond proposal again once within a twoyear period. A “no” vote on both would not create a tax district nor would it approve the bond. For more information about the two propositions, visit www. nols.org/sequimfuturelibrary or the campaign website at www. sequimlibraryvoteyes.org.
________ Erin Hawkins is a reporter with the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which is composed of Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. Reach her at ehawkins@sequimgazette.com.
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Jefferson County
County Commissioner, District 3 How will you fund current services with inadequate revenues? Brotherton: The county is currently writing the 2019 budget, and I have been working to become familiar with it. As a business owner, I know to look for efficiencies, to be conservative in estimating revenue and to have capacity to respond to unforeseen situations. I collaborated on difficult budget decisions on the Quilcene School Board, and I want to bring that experience to the county. Cooke: Our current budget shows a bleak future for Jefferson County. The economic focus has been primarily on small businesses. We need to increase our revenue by welcoming a variety of business types and sizes. To accomplish this, we need smart growth and a sewer system in the core of Port Hadlock. Most of the county’s revenue comes from property taxes, so we can expand our property tax base by sharing that burden with new businesses. What weight should be given to economic factors when approving land-use regulations? Brotherton: We are closing in on final comprehensive landuse regulations that were developed through a long process that involved a citizen advisory board and many public meetings. Under current regulations and those developed through this process, economic development is possible, as shown around Chimacum, in Quilcene, and in my own businesses at Discovery Bay. I am running for office to help make it easier to build houses and businesses while preserving our wild and rural character. Cooke: One of the biggest factors that brought my wife and me to Jefferson County was a
longing for living in the country again. We want to maintain the country appeal, but currently people are struggling to make a living in the county. We need smart growth to bring our economic vitality back. I believe a lot of the weight needs to be given to economic factors. Using common sense solutions, we can find a balance. What’s your long-term solution for funding parks and recreation? Brotherton: Finding the funds for non-mandated services is a great challenge. Priorities like the courts and the health department must come first. But we can fund parks and recreation. I worked on similar problems with the playground upgrade and garden program while on the Quilcene School Board. We prioritized them as critical elements in the budget, networked for partners, worked toward their sustainability and were resolute in our support. Cooke: Jefferson County parks attract many of our residents and visitors. Our recreation department serves a growing number of kids and adults. The funding for parks and recreation was cut drastically during the recession. My goal would be to bring back funding to pre-recession levels and bring parks and recreation back to a budget line item. As a member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, I see this, once again, as a revenue problem. What would be your top social services priority? Brotherton: In our county there are many children, seniors, veterans and others whose basic needs are going unmet.
ABOUT THE JOB Partisan or nonpartisan: Partisan. Election boundaries: Countywide. Voters: 24,800. Term: Four years. Meetings: First four Mondays every month. Compensation: $81,108 not including benefits. Duties: Develop, implement and approve department budgets and a county general fund budget that in 2018 was approved at $19.3 million and pays for 275.86 full-time equivalent positions; set a tax levy, approve county ordinances, serve on regional and statewide boards, and serve on the seven-person county Board of Health, which enacts and enforces, through the public health officer, public health statutes and rules to promote and improve the public health. Many desperately need help with behavioral health services, health care, and housing. We have many critical programs that serve them, through our health department, Jefferson Healthcare, OlyCAP [Olympic Community Action Programs] and several nonprofit organizations. We are currently looking at ways to integrate some services, and we are always looking for ways to get services to the people who need them most. Please
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GREG BROTHERTON
JON COOKE
Party preference: Democratic Party. Residence: Quilcene. Occupation: Owner-operator of Disco Bay Detour, Discovery Bay Village Store and Sea Change Cannabis. Education: Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in American studies, The Evergreen State College, Olympia, 1990-1993. Age as of Nov. 6, Election Day: 46. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? I was on the Quilcene School Board from December 2013-December 2017. Do you intend to serve a full term? Yes. Campaign website: www. votegreg.us. Phone: 360-301-4415. Email: info@votegreg.us.
Party preference: Republican Party Residence: Quilcene Occupation: Custodian (Jefferson County), substitute teacher (Central Kitsap School District) Education: Bachelor’s degree, agriculture, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore., 1981; master’s degree, teaching, City University, Tacoma, 1995 Age as of Nov. 6, Election Day: 60. Have you ever run for or held elective public office: Elected precinct committee officer twice. Do you intend to serve a full term? Yes Campaign website: https://www.electjoncooke. com/. Phone: 360-710-4791. Email: friendsofcooke campaign@gmail.com.
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Peninsula Daily News
Jefferson County
Prosecuting Attorney-Coroner How would you describe your personnel management style? Haas: I believe in being patient and hiring excellent people. From there, you give those people access to the tools and training they need, then stay out of their way and let them do their jobs. When members of the prior administration resigned, it gave me the opportunity to hire a much more experienced and qualified team of lawyers. For example, I replaced my opponent, then a three-year attorney, with a 20-year career prosecutor. Kennedy: I believe that the best approach is a collaborative one that involves surrounding yourself with talented individuals and empowering them to make decisions, while at the same time providing them with guidance, structure and opportunities for challenge. It is not enough to simply “stay out of the way” of gifted employees. Even the most talented ones need to be given goals and a pat on the back when they have done a good job. What is the biggest challenge facing the prosecuting attorney’s office?
Haas: Jefferson County continues to have a noticeable number of violent and sex offenders. Holding offenders accountable and protecting their victims remains my highest priority. For example, we have more than doubled sex offender prosecutions over the prior administration. Unfortunately, we have a significant number of substance abusers and mentally ill persons coming through the courts. We utilize therapeutic courts aggressively and have doubled the number of drug court graduations. Finally, the civil department is understaffed. Kennedy: There are several challenges. After seeing unprecedented turnover and loss of institutional knowledge over the past four years, the office has to be put back together from the ground up. Employees must be trained and maintained. The office must find a way to live within its budget so that deficits do not continue to carry over every year. Trust must be rebuilt with our community partners in law enforcement, victims’ services and other county departments. On what basis will you seek plea bargains over out-
right convictions? Haas: Plea bargains are a necessary evil. We have two judges, three criminal deputy prosecutors and around 800 new cases per year. We cannot try all those cases. However, most plea bargains result in a conviction except cases diverted to therapeutic courts. We focus our energy on violent and sex offenses and use therapeutic courts to reduce the revolving jail door by addressing underlying substance abuse and mental health issues that affect most nonviolent offenders. Kennedy: Plea bargains are sought when the community is best served by them. Sometimes, this can be because it’s the only way to obtain needed treatment for chemical dependency or mental health. Other times, it may be necessary based on the way a case evolves with witnesses or other evidence. All plea bargains will be made in the best interests of the community and the crime victim. Would you change anything in the current budget, including staffing? Haas: Yes. We need another civil deputy prosecutor. Our current chief civil deputy must focus on pending litigation
Michael HAAS JAMES M. KENNEDY Candidates’ biographies appear on next page. and providing advice to a number of county departments on many extraordinarily complex issues. By providing high quality advice, we are able to reduce lawsuits. To date, we have saved about $100,000 yearly by not hiring outside law firms. Unfortunately, lesser priority issues such as code enforcement fall by the wayside. This is a near budget-neutral request. Kennedy: I intend to reduce the coroner’s budget, which has nearly quadrupled in the past 3½ years without explanation. I would like to see increased salaries for the staff and greater assistance in the civil law realm so that the county’s lone civil deputy has some help in assisting the county with non-criminal matters. Please
ABOUT THE JOB Partisan or nonpartisan: Partisan. Election boundaries: Countywide. Voters: 24,800. Term: Four years. Compensation: $144,960 per year, not including benefits. Duties: Submit, for approval by county commissioners, a general fund budget that in 2018 was approved at $1.2 million and covers 11.43 full-time-equivalent positions; acts as legal advisor to county commissioners and department heads and all other county officials, precinct officers and school board members in the county; represents the county and county school districts in criminal and civil proceedings. As coroner, determines the manner and cause of death of deceased residents, orders autopsies, conducts death investigations, signs off on death certificates, which allows for disposition of remains.
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Jefferson County commissioner, District 3/continued Cooke: There are many increasing needs on the social services in Jefferson County. With homelessness, subsidized housing, drug abuse and mental health, our resources run thin. There are some places for those with mental health issues to seek help on the Olympic Peninsula, but all too often it ends
up being a cycle through our jail. A mental health professional suggested partnering with Kitsap and Clallam counties to provide a large mental health facility. Why should voters choose you over your opponent? Brotherton: I want to use my experience to serve Jefferson County. I developed strong communi-
cation skills at The Evergreen State College. I have a decade of experience in information technology to help Jefferson County stay abreast of a quickly changing world. I’ve built four thriving businesses in District 3. I’ve built a house and farm with my family.
I’ve served on the Quilcene School Board and learned how to be a proactive representative. Cooke: The county board of commissioners has had individuals with a limited focus on moving our county forward. I would broaden that focus with different ideas and thoughts. The Jefferson County Demo-
crats are an impressive organization, but I don’t think my opponent will stand up against their pressure to continue with this same perspective. We need smart growth to increase revenues and broaden the property tax base. Change must begin on your ballot.
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Jefferson County
Jefferson County Sheriff How would you address the opioid crisis? Nole: Opioid use must be addressed collaboratively by all members of the community. I will work in conjunction with our local substance abuse treatment provider, mental health-care providers, the courts and the medical community to get in front of this issue and work on ways to help current addicts and educate non-users. Wrap-around care that starts in the jail and continues upon release to the community is necessary as well. Stanko: As sheriff, we are ahead of the curve. Deputies carry naloxone as a preventive for overdose. We are working on establishing a medicine-assisted treatment program in our jail with community stakeholders. We are introducing suboxone for heroin addiction. Also, we’re establishing a continuum of care after incarceration in our community. Continued participation in therapeutic courts for non-punitive solutions for addiction. Working for a community field
response for addiction and mental health challenges. How would you describe your personnel management style? Nole: I lead by example and do not expect my coworkers to do anything I would not do. I engage in two-way communication and actively listen. I set clear expectations and realistic goals and provide the necessary tools and training for employees to meet those expectations and goals. I treat others how I would want to be treated. I make it clear where we are and where are we going. We work as a team. Stanko: In my 20-plus years as a leader and manager, I have learned to blend several styles to meet the needs of the organization. I believe in assessment, then a strategic team-approach to solutions. I encourage input and discussion to meet the needs of the organization and employees. I believe in delegating, but not abdicating responsibility. I encourage and mentor an
JOE NOLE, DAVE STANKO Candidates’ biographies, About the Job outline appear on next page. environment of having a plan and a purpose, with developing our employees for success. Would you change anything in the current budget, including staffing? Nole: I will change our current training priorities to reflect a well-planned and thoughtful training program that provides the training we need to be effective in the community we serve. I will provide programs in the jail that will allow inmates to leave jail in a better place than when they entered, including interlocal solutions for ongoing care for mental health, substance abuse and physical health. I will eliminate lawsuits caused by inept leadership. Please
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Jefferson County prosecuting attorney-coroner/continued Why should voters choose you over your opponent? Haas: You elected me overwhelmingly in 2014 to bring change to the prosecutor’s office. I’ve done that. Sex crimes prosecutions more than doubled. Drug Court graduates doubled. All are treated with respect. We give our county clients the advice they need to hear, not
what they want to hear. We have an independent legal team of five attorneys with 117 years’ experience. My opponent is a five-year attorney. Please help keep that team working for you. Kennedy: The office has declined over the past 3½ years. I will fix this. I will restore positive working
relations with law enforcement and victim services. I will be a voice for victims of crime. I will ensure that prosecutors and county staff receive cuttingedge training. I will show up every day, carry a caseload and lead an office of dedicated professionals that will make our community a better place for everyone.
MICHAEL HAAS
JAMES M. KENNEDY
Party preference: Democratic Party. Residence: Port Townsend. Occupation: Jefferson County prosecuting attorneycoroner. Education: High school diploma, Haines High School, Haines, Alaska, 1979; bachelor’s degree, history and American studies, Willamette University, 1983; law degree, California Western School of Law, San Diego, Calif., 1987. Age as of Nov. 6, Election Day: 57. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? Former Democratic Precinct Committee Officer; ran unsuccessfully for Jefferson County Superior Court judge in 2012; elected prosecuting attorney in 2014. Do you intend to serve a full term? Yes. Campaign website: www. voteforhaas.com. Phone: 360-774-6590. Email: ProsecutorHaas@ gmail.com.
Party preference: Democratic Party. Residence: Port Ludlow. Occupation: Clallam County deputy prosecuting attorney. Education: Bachelor’s degree, history, Ithaca College, Ithaca, N.Y.; law degree, Seattle University School of Law, Seattle. Age as of Nov. 6, Election Day: 37. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? No. Do you intend to serve a full term? Yes. Campaign website: www. kennedyforprosecutor.com. Phone: Would not provide. Email: kennedyfor prosecutor@gmail.com.
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North Olympic Peninsula VOTER GUIDE
For the election ending November 6, 2018
Peninsula Daily News
District court judge
Jefferson County
What is your judicial philosophy? Harrison: I believe in restorative justice, and in district court as a rehabilitative court. I have served as a substitute district court judge for seven years and heard
NOAH HARRISON, MINDY LEA WALKER
thousands of cases. In that time I have learned it is much easier to sentence a defendant to jail than to help them change their life for the better. Please
Candidates’ biographies, About the Job outline appear on next page.
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Jefferson County sheriff/continued Stanko: This is my third budget cycle. We are lean and fiscally responsible. We budget with the public and employees in mind. We need seven more deputies by 2020 based on a 2016 WSU staffing study. We have increased, mandated needs in our corrections facility. I believe public safety and employee safety are a priority. I recognize other county needs. We as a community need to prioritize those needs, keeping community safety a priority. What’s your opinion of deputies wearing body cameras? Nole: I like the idea and I am for it. Stanko: I think wearing body cameras is an excellent idea for transparency. They are a great tool for community and officer safety.
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ABOUT THE JOB Partisan or nonpartisan: Partisan. Election boundaries: Countywide. Voters: 24,800. Term: Four years. Compensation: $96,940. Duties: Submit, for approval by county commissioners, a general fund budget that in 2018 was approved at $6.2 million that supports 52.41 full-time-equivalent positions. Accountable for performance of employees, through delegation to supervisors, of the jail, emergency services and staff engaged in patrol, investigations, detention and emergency services, and for hiring, termination, discipline and size of work staff; make final decisions on purchases. Cameras eliminate most questions in incidents in which they are used. They are an excellent tool for deputy-community accountability. The challenge is the onerous current state public records laws. Until technology improves or public records laws change, producing video footage from body cameras is not efficient and is employee-time-intensive for producing public records. Why should voters choose you over your opponent? Nole: I have 35 years of local law enforcement experience in Jefferson County. My leadership ability, fiscal responsibility and connection to the community are qualities that the position of sheriff requires. I have the proven ability to work well with others in both the community and in county government. I have the respect of the com-
munity that is backed by my honesty and integrity. I am committed to serving a full term. Stanko: • Taxpayer since 1989. I have lived in Jefferson County since 2004. • Serve on [Ecumenical Christian Helping Hands Organization] and Dove House boards, Rotarian 25 years, past president; Citizen of the Year 2011. Served on [United Good Neighbor] and Jumping Mouse boards. • Ran on platform of assessment, change, community. • Every pledge made, kept. Citizen Advisory Board installed. • Accreditation, 136 bestpractice policy, standards, in progress • Community- and employeedriven strategic plan in place and reviewed continually. • Hold law enforcement executive certificate for Washington.
Joe Nole
DAVE STANKO
Party preference: Democratic Party. Residence: Chimacum. Occupation: Detective, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Education: Bachelor’s degree, biology-ecology, The Evergreen State College, Olympia, 1983; bachelor’s degree, secondary education, biology major, chemistry minor, Central Washington University, Ellensburg, 1986; Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Law Enforcement Academy, 1993; FBI-sponsored Northwest Law Enforcement Command College, 2015. Age as of Nov. 6, Election Day: 62. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? No . Do you intend to serve a full term? Yes. Campaign website: www. joenoleforsheriff.com. Phone: 360-531-4700. Email: joenoleforsheriff@ gmail.com.
Party preference: No party preference. Residence: Port Townsend. Occupation: Jefferson County sheriff. Education: Bachelor’s degree, public management, University of Redlands, Redlands, Calif.; FBI National Academy, Quantico, Va., Class No. 197. Age as of Nov. 6, Election Day: 70. Have you ever run for or held elective office? Yes, Jefferson County sheriff. Do you intend to serve a full term? Yes. Campaign website: davestankoforsheriff.com. Phone: 360-531-4640. Email: djstanko66@gmail. com.
Peninsula Daily News
North Olympic Peninsula VOTER GUIDE
District court judge/continued
Tools like probation, sentencing alternatives, community service and treatment are options other than incarceration to help lower recidivism. Walker: My judicial philosophy is rooted in a commitment to fairness and neutrality. It is important to approach each case with an open mind, to listen to the participants, look at the information before you, understand it in the context of the applicable law and make difficult decisions that can really affect people and their lives. Applying the law fairly ensures equality and the protection of rights for all. What should be the court’s role in dealing with alcohol, drug and psychiatric issues that often underlie crime? Harrison: The court should help facilitate treatment and recovery. Jail as a tool can be a powerful motivator for many with drug issues and is essential for community safety, but not always for people with mental health disorders. I am endorsed by the heads of both of our local treatment agencies because I support mental health court, and I understand that unless you address the underlying condition, we will continue to see high rates of recidivism. Walker: I believe the court should vigorously encourage therapeutic courts as an avenue to prevent recidivism and support individuals through programs to address underlying issues. Jefferson County District Court oversees the mental health court. It is important to promote training for staff in traumainformed responses and to support growth of the mental health court program. District Court will work with members of the community and surrounding communities to provide better access to treatment and providers. How would you describe your courtroom demeanor? Harrison: Courtroom demeanor is a high priority for me.
For the election ending November 6, 2018
23
ABOUT THE JOB Partisan position: No. Election boundaries: Countywide. Voters: 24,800. Term: Four years. Compensation: $164,313 not including benefits. Duties: Submit, for approval by county commissioners, a general fund budget that for 2018 was approved at $895,076 and pays for nine full-time-equivalent positions. Jurisdiction over criminal cases including misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, criminal traffic cases including driving under the influence, small-claims civil cases. Juries are composed of six people. Impose a maximum penalty for gross misdemeanors of a year in jail and a $5,000 fine. Impose a maximum penalty for a misdemeanor of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Jurisdiction in civil cases such as traffic infractions and for damages and contract disputes totalling up to $75,000. Jurisdiction for small claims of up to $5,000. It sets the tone for the lawyers, litigants and staff. For 14 years, I have represented people who come to court nervous and stressed. I have always appreciated judges who understand that perspective. I am proud of my reputation for professionalism, civility, patience and empathy. When litigants leave court believing the judge was fair and listened to them (win or lose), then you have done your job. Walker: I would describe my courtroom demeanor as firm yet compassionate, courteous and respectful. I listen. I am committed to making fair and unbiased decisions and treating everyone with courtesy and respect. I recognize that the rulings I make can affect a person’s liberty, their financial security, and family stability. The service of a judge includes providing professional attentiveness while enforcing best practices that ensure all parties appearing before the judge are truly heard. What would be your top priority? Harrison: • Lower recidivism for defendants. • Seek additional funding for
mental health court to increase temporary housing for participants • Upgrade the technology in the courtroom to improve greater access to justice and cost savings to taxpayers and improving our website to help litigants and those seeking information about court and its policies. • Institute community service for appropriate individuals to get them involved in the community. • Advocate for treatment and prevention in our community for opioid addiction. Walker: My top priority is to strengthen due process, integrity and professionalism of the court by clarifying office policies, better utilizing pro tem judges, writing opinion memoranda and ensuring fairness and equality for all. Treating each person with civility and respect is key to a fair, balanced and neutral court. I am committed to providing access to justice by encouraging growth in the mental health program and providing services to the west end of Jefferson County. Why should voters choose you over your opponent? Harrison: Greater experience as a judge and a lawyer, judicial training, endorsements of the majority of Jefferson County attorneys, prosecutors, 28 judges throughout the state, and our
Noah Harrison
Mindy Lea Walker
Residence: Port Townsend. Occupation: Lawyer, solo practitioner, Harrison Law Inc., Port Townsend. Education: Port Townsend High School graduate; bachelor’s degree, geography, University of Washington, Seattle, 1996; law degree, Seattle University School of Law, 2003. Age as of Nov. 6, Election Day: 44. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? No. Do you intend to serve a full term? Yes. Campaign website: www. harrisonforjudge2018.org. Phone: 360-379-8303. Email: harrisonforjudge 2018@gmail.com.
Residence: Port Ludlow. Occupation: Attorney. Education: Bachelor’s degree, international studies, Trinity Western University, Langley, British Columbia, 2000; law degree, Gonzaga University School of Law, Spokane, 2006 . Age as of Nov. 6, Election Day: 42. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? No. Do you intend to serve a full term? Yes. Campaign website: www. mindywalkerforjudge.com. Phone: 360-774-6611. Email: mindywalkerfor judge@gmail.com.
current judge and her predecessor. Overwhelming support of law enforcement and the unprecedented, unanimous support of the district court staff. These are the people who have seen my commitment to the law, justice and our community. I serve on the bench because I believe I can make a difference. Walker: I have broader experience, including practicing in 11 counties throughout Washington and in federal and tribal courts, and as pro tem judge in Kitsap County and Bainbridge Island. I have spent my adult life serving others, advocating for children and women worldwide and serving with Port Townsend
Sunrise Rotary. Firefighting instilled an understanding of life’s dangers. My devotion to ethics will lead to fair, unbiased decisions. I am compassionate, professional and worthy of your trust.
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24
North Olympic Peninsula VOTER GUIDE
For the election ending November 6, 2018
Peninsula Daily News
Jefferson County
PUD commissioner, District 3 What is your strategy for focusing on alternative energy sources? Brotherton: Solar is the most feasible alternative energy source available given our geography, and it is already widely embraced by county residents. I would continue and expand the PUD’s Community Solar program by installing more community-funded solar arrays to help meet our needs and let more people participate. I will team with local government and especially schools to aid them in owning their own solar power arrays. Toepper: Information and outreach regarding grid-tied solar (net metering) should continue. More community solar projects like the current proposal for Kearney Street in Port Townsend merit investigation. Electric vehicle options that can be tied to solar development should also be examined. Storage of solar energy for balancing load is problematic. As long as the PUD has a $100 million debt and another 10-year contract commitment to BPA for power, alternative energy options will be limited. Is the PUD headed in the right direction? Brotherton: Yes and no. We now have 98 percent renewable power, all the staff is local so the money stays in the county, and repairs are much quicker. It has 19,500 power customers, 4,000 water and septic customers and no broadband customers. It needs more non-power customers to spread the overhead costs. It needs a measurable strategic plan with substantial public input. It must have a strong finan-
cial position and a strong chief financial officer. Toepper: Yes. There is still much work to be done on community outreach and communication. It is imperative that strategic planning and financial strategies receive greater attention. Identifying, prioritizing and funding of capital projects must be put forward for public review. A commitment to customer service and customer satisfaction has become the culture for PUD employees. Systems redundancy and reliability are improving. Operational and business inconsistencies have stabilized, and audits and financial processes are progressing. What would you do to keep utility rates affordable? Brotherton: We are fortunate to have one of the lowest power rates in the country. I support the PUD’s energy conservation rebates, but I would expand them to reward customers who reduce usage, not just buy newer equipment. I would actively seek new non-energy customers to increase income and spread the overhead costs. I would propose incentives to encourage businesses to add solar generation on their roofs and reduce power purchases from the Bonneville Power Administration. Toepper: First and foremost, the PUD should not take on any more debt than we currently carry. Any capital improvements or new initiatives that the PUD considers should be preceded by some form of business model for return on investment, funding streams and asset depreciation. Using more in-house or community expertise rather than hiring consultants would also keep
ABOUT THE JOB Partisan or nonpartisan: Nonpartisan. Election boundaries: Countywide. Voters: 24,800. Term: Six-year. Meetings: First and third Thursday. Compensation: Maximum annual monetary compensation of $48,724 in salary and per-diem payments, health insurance for themselves and their families and the IRS mileage reimbursement rate of 54.5 cents a mile. Duties: Approve an annual general fund budget that for 2018 is $36.9 million for electric, water, sewer and wholesale telecommunications and pays for 47 full-time-equivalent positions. Hire the general manager. costs down. Finding and hiring a new CFO with full-service utility experience is critical. What’s the PUD’s most pressing, unfunded capital need, and how would you fund it? Brotherton: Broadband access. Good internet attracts more customers to businesses, opens up new markets for existing businesses, and attracts new business. People can live locally and earn a living with their minds. One can be off-the-grid for power, water and septic. One can’t be off-the-grid for
TOM BROTHERTON
DANIEL S. TOEPPER
Residence: Quilcene. Occupation: retired engineering manager, The Boeing Company. Education: Bachelor’s degree, physics, University of California, Riverside, Calif., 1968; master’s degree, system engineering, West Coast University, Irvine, Calif.; University of Washington, Seattle, 1980; master of business administration (MBA), Seattle University, 1981; law degree, Seattle University, 2005. Age as of Nov. 6, Election Day: 73. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? Yes, elected to Kent City Council, Nov. 4, 1997. Do you intend to serve a full term? Yes. Campaign website: www. tombrotherton.com. Phone: 360-765-0901. Email: tomforpud@gmail. com.
Residence: Port Ludlow. Occupation: Heavy equipment operator with International Union of Operating Engineers Local 302. Education: Chimacum High School, 1978 graduate. Age as of Nov. 6, Election Day: 58. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? Ran unsuccessfully for Jefferson County freeholder in 2013 and Jefferson County commissioner in 2014. Campaign website: elect dantoepper.blogspot.com. Do you intend to serve a full term? Yes. Phone: 360-437-9920. Email: Toepper4pud commissioner@gmail.com.
roads or information. Neither generate profit. It’s what you can do because of them that earns profit.
I will help customers establish local utility districts to self-fund broadband. Please
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North Olympic Peninsula VOTER GUIDE
Peninsula Daily News
For the election ending November 6, 2018
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Voters to weigh in on 4 state Voters to decide on measures, one advisory vote re-apportionment By Paul Gottlieb
Peninsula Daily News
Statewide initiatives on pollution, grocery taxes, law enforcement training and new restrictions on semiautomatic assaultrifle are on the Nov. 6 general election ballot. Those four proposals are joined by an advisory measure on repealing or maintaining a tax on crude oil when it’s received through a pipeline, a law already approved by the state Legislature that requires voters to weigh in at the ballot box. Along with a slew of contested races for various county, regional and statewide positions, here’s what voters will decide on when it comes to ballot propositions, according to the state Secretary of State’s Office Voter Guide at tinyurl.com/PDN-Measures. Initiative 1639: It would require “increased background checks, training, age limitations, and waiting periods for sales or delivery of semiautomatic assault rifles; criminalize non-compliant storage upon unauthorized use; allow fees; and enact other provisions.” A semiautomatic rifle is defined as “any rifle which utilizes a portion of the energy of a firing cartridge to extract the fired cartridge case and chamber the next round, and which requires a separate pull of the trigger to fire each cartridge.” The measure does not include firearms manually operated by
bolt, pump, lever or slide action. Under I-1639, buyers of semiautomatic rifles, unlike buyers of other firearms, would be required to complete a firearm safety training program within the last five years. It would be illegal for a person younger than 21 to buy a pistol or semiautomatic assault rifle and prohibit a person between ages 18 and 21 from possessing a semiautomatic assault rifle except in the person’s residence or place of business. A buyer would have to wait at least 10 days before being delivered a semiautomatic rifle. As with pistol purchases, a person with an outstanding arrest warrant would be restricted from purchasing a semiautomatic rifle, and the same requirements for pistols would apply to collecting and maintaining information on semiautomatic rifle purchases. Application forms for purchases of semiautomatic assault rifles also would contain a new warning that firearms in homes are associated with increased risks of suicide, death while domestic violence is occurring, and unintentional deaths to children. A $25 fee on each semiautomatic assault rifle purchase would offset costs of implementing the initiative. The owner of the rifle could be charged with a felony if the rifle is unsafely stored, and a person who cannot legally possess the firearm uses it to cause injury or death. The owner could be charged with
a gross misdemeanor if the person who has taken the gun discharges it, intimidates someone with it or uses it while committing a crime. Felony or gross misdemeanor provisions would not apply if the weapon is stored in a locked box designed for weapons storage or a gun safe, if the person who can’t possess the firearm obtains it through unlawful entry into where the rifle is being kept, or if it is secured with a trigger lock or similar device. Arguments for the initiative point to the use of assaults weapons in school shootings, assert that the firearm is intended to kill large numbers of people, and that if military personnel get firearms training, so should civilians. They say I-1639 would not affect law-abiding, responsible gun owners and that common sense demands that the same regulations that apply to handguns apply to semiautomatic rifles. Those against the initiative say it takes away rights from lawabiding, voting-age, military-eligible 18-20-year-olds, makes the firearms useless for self-defense, will not impact crimes and fails to improve public safety. They say I-1639 targets all semiautomatic rifles, including hunting and target-shooting rifles, and does not increase school security or decrease violent crimes. Please
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for PT School Board By Jeannie McMacken Peninsula Daily News
most recent census data and drawn nearly equally, geographically contiguous and consistent with natural boundaries, according to the board’s resolution, passed in July, to place the measure on the ballot. The two at-large positions would be filled by residents within any of the new three boundary districts. If the measure is passed during the Nov. 6 election, the process to dissolve and reapportion director districts will proceed.
PORT TOWNSEND — Port Townsend School District officials are asking voters to change the way they are represented. Aiming to make serving on the Port Townsend School Board more attractive, the board will ask voters in the Nov. 6 general election to approve a proposition, that would authorize the school district to dissolve the five existing director districts and reapportion them into three director districts and two atRedistricting would start large seats. In March 2019, redistricting Simple majority needed boundaries would be drawn and The measure needs a simple current board members’ terms majority — 50 percent plus one would expire Jan. 1, 2020, regardless of the length of their vote — for passage. “It has been problematic in current terms. In November 2019, School certain areas finding citizens to fill positions on the board,” said Board elections would be held. Connie Welch, District 1 director For the initial redistricting, terms would be staggered, with and chair of the School Board. She said three of the five cur- three directors running for fourrent seats were initially filled by year terms and two directors appointment, and recent elec- running for two-year terms. All subsequent elections would be tions were not contested. The current districts were for four-year terms. Ballots for the November drawn based on population density: three in Port Townsend, election will be mailed to regisone in the Cape George area, tered voters Oct. 17. ________ and one for an area from McPhearson Street south and east to Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Discovery Bay. Jeannie McMacken can be reached at The three new districts 360-385-2335 or at jmcmacken@ would be created based on the peninsuladailynews.com.
PUD commissioner, District 3/continued Toepper: Build-out of the PUD fiber optic backbone, systems redundancy and systems upgrading are all pressing issues. Funding for capital needs comes from the rates we charge, property tax assessments, a few service fees, very few grants and new service hook-ups or tie-ins. I do not want to increase any
of those rates. So, it’s not about how we fund, but how long we take to implement projects on the margins we have. Why should voters choose you over your opponent? Brotherton: I’m an educated, professional manager, and I work hard to improve our community.
I served eight years on the planning commission and helped write the Shoreline Master Plan and the critical areas ordinance. I volunteer for community organizations. I received the Heart of Service award. I believe in science. I believe in teamwork. I make decisions based on facts.
I analyze information and don’t jump to conclusions. My goals: Improve the economy, protect the environment. Toepper: I served as a member of the PUD Citizen Advisory Board for two years. I have faithfully attended PUD commissioner meetings, workshops and rate hearings for five years.
In my career as an operating engineer with Local 302 over the past 28 years, I have gained knowledge and experience with installing and maintaining power, water, sewer and telecommunications utilities. I understand the costs, challenges and needs that Jefferson PUD faces as it moves forward.
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For the election ending November 6, 2018
North Olympic Peninsula VOTER GUIDE
State measures, advisory vote/continued
Initiative 1634: It “would prohibit new or increased local taxes, fees, or assessments on raw or processed foods or beverages (with exceptions), or ingredients thereof, unless effective by January 15, 2018, or generally applicable.” The measure would prohibit local governments such as counties, cities, towns and local taxing districts from imposing taxes, fees and other assessments on grocery items including meat, produce, grains, dairy products, nonalcoholic beverages, spices and condiments. The prohibition on fees and taxes does not include marijuana products, alcoholic beverages or tobacco. The measure would not prevent new taxes from being imposed on groceries by the state, which imposes taxes on prepared food, alcoholic beverages, marijuana products and tobacco but not generally on food and food ingredients. Those for I-1634 say it protects working families and local businesses, keeps groceries affordable, and has broad support from individuals and businesses. Arguments against I-1634 say it cedes local government and voter control to the state, is supported by corporate special interests and sets a bad precedent by allowing special interests to spend millions to limit local control. Initiative 940: It “would require law enforcement to receive violence de-escalation, mental-health, and first-aid training, and provide first-aid; and change standards for use of deadly force, adding a ‘good faith’ standard and independent investigation.” Peace officers are not criminally liable for using deadly force if they act without malice and with a goodfaith belief that their actions were justified. The new law would apply to active police officers, State
Patrol officers, state Department of Fish and Wildlife officers with enforcement powers, reserve officers and volunteers, and any public employee who enforces criminal laws. To determine if the officer used good faith in using deadly force, a new standard would be applied, according to the initiative: The officer must have believed deadly force was necessary to prevent serious physical harm to the officer or another person and that deadly force was warranted in terms of what a reasonable officer would have done under the same circumstances. The officer would have to meet the good faith test to avoid criminal liability if deadly force was used that resulted in death or serious bodily harm. Under the measure, beginning in 2019, all law enforcement officers would take periodic violence deescalation and mental health training developed by the state Criminal Justice Training Commission that would educate officers on the goodfaith standards. The curriculum would include delving into implicit and explicit bias, shoot-ordon’t-shoot-scenario training, rendering first aid, and de-escalation techniques involving people with disabilities and behavioral health issues. First-aid training to save lives would be required. First-year costs for the training are estimated at $1.26 million and ongoing annual costs at $900,000. Local governments may charge a fee for the training. “The initiative would have an indeterminate local expenditure impact,” according to the Secretary of State’s Office. “If, for example, the Commission were to require an additional 40 hours of training for each certified peace officer, the cost for training could have an expenditure
Peninsula Daily News
Phuong Le/The Associated Press
Gov. Jay Inslee speaks to people June 28 in Seattle as he helps to gather signatures for a proposed initiative that would charge large industrial emitters a fee for their carbon emissions. impact of more than $12 million” over multiple years. Those in favor of the measure say Washington ranks fifth in the U.S. in deaths from police use of force, that state law makes it virtually impossible to prosecute officers, and that up to a third of those killed by police in Washington have signs of mental illness. Those against the measure say it would compromise public safety by forcing officers to hesitate when performing their responsibilities, fails to provide funding, and that areas addressed by the initiative are already being reviewed and reformed. Initiative 1631: It “would charge pollution fees on sources of greenhouse gas pollutants and use the revenue to reduce pollution, promote clean energy, and address climate impacts, under oversight of a public board.”
The state of Washington has required that greenhouse gas emissions including carbon dioxide be set to 1990 levels by 2020 and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 50 percent of 1990 levels by 2050. A pollution fee of $15 per metric ton of carbon released into the atmosphere would be imposed on large emitters of greenhouse gases beginning in Jan. 1, 2020, to pay for environmental programs and projects. The fee would increase by $2 per year, adjusted for inflation, until the state’s greenhouse gas reductions goals of 2035 are met and 2050 goals are on a trajectory to be met, according to the 38-page initiative (tinyurl. com/PDN-Initiative1631). At that time, the fee would be fixed except for annual inflation adjustments. The fee would generate $2.3 billion in the first five
fiscal years from the pollution fee and Utilities and Transportation Commission fees. Local government expenditures are estimated to be $158.6 million. If the carbon fee initiative is approved, Washington would become the first state to adopt a carbon fee and first government in the world to do so by ballot referendum, according to an Aug. 15 report in The Atlantic (tinyurl.com/PDN-Atlantic) and to Ballotpedia at ballotpedia.org. It would apply to fossil fuels, including motor vehicle fuel, sold or used within Washington, and to electricity generated within or imported into the state, and would be collected from fuel licensees and sellers of fossil fuels. The fee would not be imposed on fossil fuels brought into the state in a fuel supply tank, sold for
export or supplied to a light or power business that generates electricity. It also would not apply to Indian tribes and not to Native Americans when they are exempt from state taxation. A public 15-person oversight board that would include the state commissioner of public lands, the director of the Department of Ecology, four at-large members and six co-chairs of three investment panels would implement the law and decide on funding for projects. Fees would be placed in a “Clean Up Pollution Fund.” Seventy percent of the fund would be spent on clean air and clean energy investments such as solar and wind power, 25 percent for clean water and healthy forest investments and 5 percent for healthy communities investments. Please
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Peninsula Daily News
North Olympic Peninsula VOTER GUIDE
For the election ending November 6, 2018
State measures, advisory vote/continued
At least 15 percent of the clean air and clean energy investments must be used on energy assistance programs for lower income people, while $50 million would be set aside to support fossil-fuel workers affected by the transition from jobs in the fossil fuels industry. The clean water and healthy forest investments would address the impacts of climate change on waters and forests. The funds would fight ocean acidification, address flood and wildfire risks, and restore and protect state waters. The healthy community investments fund would help prepare communities for climate change and help populations affected by climate change. It could be used for wildfire presentations and preparedness, relocation of communities on tribal lands affected by sea level rise and floods, and public school education on climate change and reducing pollution. At least 35 percent of the fund must be used to benefit “pollution and health action areas” designated by the state Department of Health. At least 10 percent of the funds must be spent for projects supported by an Indian tribe, and 10 percent for projects located in and benefiting a pollution and health action area. The initiative would cost publicly owned utilities $18.8 million in fiscal year 2020 and $52.7 million by fiscal year 2023, according to the Secretary of State. Clallam County Public Utility District officials say the carbon fee initiative would increase the district’s annual fuel and shipping costs by $20,000 in 2020 and by $51,000 by 2035. Those estimates do not account for inflation or cover administrative, man-
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Ted S. Warren/The Associated Press
This April 2, 2010, file photo shows a refinery owned by Andeavor, formerly Tesoro Corp., including a gas flare flame that is part of normal plant operations, in Anacortes. A campaign bankrolled by the oil industry has raised $21.3 million to defeat a carbon pollution fee on the ballot in Washington state aiming at tackling climate change. ufacturing or other unknown costs, according to a resolution in which the PUD board of commissioners voted against I-1631. Opponents say the measure would unfairly affect consumers who would pay 14 cents a gallon more for gasoline and higher electricity and heating costs, and would exempt some large polluters including pulp and paper mills. Proponents say the measure would hold big polluters accountable, make clean energy such as wind and solar more affordable, generate funding that would be managed by a public board and create 41,000 jobs. Advisory Vote 19: The nonbinding measure asks voters if the state Legislature should repeal or maintain SB 6269, signed March 23 by Gov. Jay Inslee, described by the ballot measure as “the oil spill
response and administration taxes to crude oil or petroleum products received by pipeline, costing $13,000,000 over 10 years for government spending.” A maintain vote supports SB 6269, which became effective April 1. A repeal vote advises the Legislature to repeal the measure. The legislation was automatically referred for voter approval as an advisory measure under a 2007 imitative that requires an advisory vote on any state law that increases tax revenue. According to SB 6269, the state Department of Ecology’s oil spill program faces a critical funding gap because of a lack of revenue. “Without an adequate investment in revenue, there will be a continued decline in required prevention and preparedness ser-
vices, causing an increased risk of oil spills in the state of Washington and our shared waters with the Canadian transboundary region,” according to the legislation. Oil transported into Washington by rail and tank vessels is taxed to fund the program, while pipelines were not taxed, despite the risk of oil spills, until SB 6269’s passage. “Oils are currently being transported by vessels, trains, and pipelines in large volumes in our state, with increased volumes of heavy oils being transported by vessel through our shared waters from Canada,” according to SB 6269. “As knowledge about how oils submerge or sink in water grows and technological advances to respond are developed, preventing and preparing for these
spills must be updated. “ “Therefore, the legislature intends to provide adequate revenue to fully fund prevention and preparedness services required by state law, as well as direct the department of ecology to specifically address the risks of oils submerging and sinking and more extensively coordinate with our Canadian partners in order to protect our state’s economy and its shared resources.” The legislation also adds review and inspection protocols that focus on the submersion or sinking of oils in water during transfer and other operations and impacts on subsurface resources. A 1-cent-per-barrel tax is imposed on the owner of the crude oil or petroleum products after receipt into storage tanks of a marine or bulk oil terminal from a
tank car, pipeline, waterborne vessel or barge. A 4-cents-per-barrel oilspill administrative tax is also imposed on the owner of the crude oil or petroleum products. Beginning in 2019, the first $200,000 of the administrative tax must be deposited into the state military department active state service account. Ecology must provide a report to the state Legislature by July 1, 2020, on oil spill program activities that will continue and will not continue after 2019, recommendations on potential sources of funding for the program and if funding should be discontinued or reduced.
________ Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at pgottlieb@ peninsuladailynews.com.
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For the election ending November 6, 2018
North Olympic Peninsula VOTER GUIDE
DEMOCRACY
Peninsula Daily News
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