North Olympic Peninsula Voter's Guide (August 4th, 2015)

★

North Olympic Peninsula

Voter Guide

for the primary election ending August 4, 2015 Clallam County

■

Port Angeles

Published as a public service by the

PENINSULA DAILY NEWS

■

Port Townsend

■

Sequim

INCLUDING

SARC

Proposition 1 and Candidates Page 15

2

North Olympic Peninsula Voter

FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION ENDING AUGUST 4, 2015

Guide

PENINSULA DAILY NEWS

Introduction

Be sure to vote by 8 p.m. Aug. 4 T

HIS SPECIAL SECTION of the Peninsula Daily News, also available online at www.peninsuladailynews. com, provides voters with information about the Aug. 4 election.

It profiles the candidates for local races in which there are more than two candidates, and also discusses a Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center measure on the ballot in the Sequim-Dungeness Valley.

Ballots in the all-mail election were sent by the auditor’s offices of Clallam and Jefferson counties to registered voters in affected jurisdictions July 15. Voting continues until 8 p.m. Aug. 4.

Compilation of information, including the question-and-answer segments, for this voter guide was coordinated by PDN Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb.

Photo services were done by staff photojournalist Keith Thorpe, and section design was done by Executive Editor Rex Wilson with assistance from Copy Editor Allison McGee. Candidates’ answers to questionnaires were limited to 75 words per question and were edited for length, grammar and spelling.

Races in which there are only one or two candidates are not profiled in this section. Neither are write-in candidates.

On the North Olympic Peninsula, as in all of Washington state, all voting is done by mail. Washington was the first state in the country to establish a “top-two” primary election system.

Because this is a primary election, the voting is limited to the jurisdiction or district for the office to be decided.

For those who wish to vote at a polling site, a computerized terminal is available at the Clallam County Auditor’s Office in the county courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles, and the Jefferson County Auditor’s Office in the county courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend, during the voting period.

Ballots must be postmarked no later than Aug. 4 or dropped off by no later than 8 p.m. Aug. 4 at the following locations:

Clallam County ■ Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles. A drive-up drop box is provided.

■ Sequim, Sequim Village Shopping Center, the J.C. Penney Inc. store, 651 W. Washington St.

Jefferson County ■ Jefferson County Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend. A

drive-up drop box is provided in the parking lot to the rear of the courthouse off Franklin Street.

■ Jefferson County Library, 620 Cedar Ave., Port Hadlock. An outside drop box is mounted in the parking lot.

Election calendar Here are some significant dates relating to the Aug. 4 and Nov. 3 elections: ■ July 27: Voter registration deadline for the Aug. 4 election for people not currently registered to vote.

Registration must be done in person at the auditor’s office of the registrant’s county of residence (see courthouse addresses above).

■ Aug. 4: Primary election ends at 8 p.m.

■ Aug. 18: Deadline for County Canvassing Board to certify the primary election returns.

■ Aug. 21: Final day for secretary of state to certify primary election returns from across the state.

■ Oct. 5: Final day for mail-in and online voter registration for the Nov. 3 general election.

■ Oct. 14: Ballots are mailed out to registered voters for the Nov. 3 election.

■ Oct. 16: The North Olympic

Peninsula Voter Guide for the general election is published in the Peninsula Daily News and posted online at www. peninsuladailynews.com.

■ Oct. 26: Voter registration deadline for people not currently registered to vote who want to vote in the Nov. 6 election.

Registration must be done in person at the courthouse of the county of residence.

■ Nov. 3: General election ends at 8 p.m.

Got questions?

Questions about Clallam County elections can be phoned to the county Auditor’s Office elections division at 360417-2217 or toll-free at 866-433-8683 Mondays through Fridays.

Voter registration information is available by phoning at 360-417-2221 or toll-free at 866-433-8683 Mondays through Fridays.

Questions about Jefferson County elections can be posted to the county Auditor’s Office elections division at 360385-9117 Mondays through Fridays.

Voter registration information is available by phoning 360-385-9119.

The Secretary of State’s Office in Olympia maintains a website with general voting information at www.vote.wa.gov.

Candidates who automatically advance to November Under the state’s “top two” primary system, these candidates who are either unopposed or facing only one other candidate automatically advance to the Nov. 3 general election.

They are not profiled in this voter guide.

Clallam County Hospital District No. 1 (Forks Community Hospital) Commissioner, District No. 3 Donald Lawley

Hospital District No. 2 (Olympic Medical Center) Commissioner, District No. 1, Position No. 2 J. Thomas Oblak

City Council Position No. 5 Christina “Stina” Kohout Jon Preston

City Council Position No. 2 John Miller Susan Lorenzen

Director, Position No. 4 Lonnie Linn Rick Marti

City of Port Angeles

City Council Position No. 6 Ken Hays

Director, Position No. 5 Jerusha Henson Susan Shotthafer

Commissioner, District No. 3, Position No. 1 Jim Cammack

City Council Position No. 6 Sissi Bruch

Commissioner at large Jim Leskinovitch

City Council Position No. 7 Cherie Kidd Dan Bateham

City of Forks City Council Position No. 1 Juanita Weissenfels City Council Position No. 4 Kevin Hinchen

City Council Position No. 7 Candace Pratt James Russell

City of Sequim

Port Angeles School District

City Council Position No. 1 Brandon Janisse Pam Leonard-Ray

Director, Position No. 3 Joshua Jones Gene Erickson

Crescent School District Director, Position No. 3 Trisha Haggerty Director, Position No. 4 Susan Hopper

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PENINSULA DAILY NEWS

North Olympic Peninsula Voter

Guide

FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION ENDING AUGUST 4, 2015

3

Introduction

Candidates who automatically advance to November/ CONTINUED

Cape Flattery School District Commissioner Position No. 2 Director, District No. 2 Gregory Colfax Director, District No. 4 Donald R. Baker Director, District No. 5 Tracey Rascon

Fire District No. 2 (Port Angeles unincorporated) Commissioner No. 2 David R. Whitney

Fire District No. 4 (Joyce area) Commissioner No. 4 Donna Kay Buck

Fire District No. 5 (Clallam Bay-Sekiu area) Commissioner No. 2 Glen McDaniel

Ken Stringer (Bill Wrobel withdrew)

Fire District No. 1 (Forks, West End) Commissioner No. 4 James Lew McGill

Parks and Recreation District No. 2 (Quillayute Valley)

Commissioner No. 5 Lowell P. McQuoid

Commissioner Position No. 3 David Gedlund

Jefferson County

Commissioner Position No. 4 Nedra Reed

Port of Port Townsend

Director, District No. 3 Bonnie Hitt Viviann Kuehl (Katie Rancich withdrew) Director at large, Position No. 4 Gena D. Lont

Chimacum School District Director, District No. 3 Maggie Ejde Director, District No. 4 Robert Bunker

Commissioner Position No. 5 Gordon Gibbs

Commissioner, District No. 1 Steve Tucker Diana Talley

Black Diamond Water District

East Jefferson County Hospital District No. 2

Director, District No. 3 Nathanael L. O’Hara

Commissioner, District No. 2 Sarah Martinez

Commissioner Position No. 2 Chuck Russell Kees “Case” Kolff

Director, District No. 4 Laura Tucker

SunLand Water District

Commissioner Position No. 4 Mari Dressler Paul J. Stafford

Commissioner Position No. 3 Albert Friess

Port Townsend School District

Director, District No. 5 Keith White

Brinnon Water District No. 2 Commissioner, Position No. 3 Wayne Schlaefli

Brinnon Cemetery District No. 1 Commissioner, Position No. 1 Jeremy Mueller Commissioner, Position No. 3 Myrtle Corey

Quilcene Cemetery District No. 2 Commissioner, Position No. 1 Laurie K. Neuenschwander Commissioner, Position No. 3 Michael Spears

Gardiner Cemetery District No. 3 Commissioner, Position No. 2 Diane (Movius) Martin

City of Port Townsend

Fire District No. 1 (Chimacum/Cape George — East Jefferson Fire-Rescue)

Commissioner No. 1 Scott Horton

Clallam and Jefferson counties

City Council Position No. 3 Deborah Stinson

Commissioner, Position No. 2 Rich Stapf Jr.

Commissioner No. 3 Tom Rosmond

Sequim School District

Fire District No. 2 (Quilcene)

Park and Recreation District No. 1 (Coyle-Thorndyke)

Parks and Recreation District No. 1 (existing SARC board)

Director, District No. 1 Heather Jeffers Robin Henrikson (Rebecca Bratsman and Willard Naslund withdrew)

City Council Position No. 4 Robert Gray (Tobi McEnerney withdrew)

Commissioner, Position No. 2 Melody M. Bacchus

Commissioner, Position No. 1 Gary Elmer

Fire District No. 6 (West End)

Commissioner Position No. 3 Melinda Griffith Commissioner Position No. 4 Bill Jeffers Gill R. Goodman (Virginia Johnson withdrew) Commissioner Position No. 5 Jan L. Richardson (Anne Olson withdrew)

Proposed SARC Metropolitan Park District* *Board of Commissioners election if Proposition 1 passes

City Council Position No. 7 David J. Faber Travis R. Keena

Director, District No. 3 Jim Stoffer Charla Wright

Brinnon School District

Quillayute Valley School District

Director at large, Position No. 3 Joe Baisch

Director, District No. 1 Val James Giles Director, District No. 3 Bill Rohde

Director at large, Position No. 4 Bill Barnet

Director, District No. 5 Mike Reaves (Kathy Lawley withdrew)

Director, District No. 1 Shona Davis Mark Apeland

Director at large, Position No. 2 Ron Stephens

Quilcene School District

Fire District No. 3 (Port Ludlow) Commissioner, Position No. 3 Ron Helmonds Ron Gregory

Fire District No. 4 (Brinnon) Commissioner, Position No. 2 Ken McEdwards

Commissioner, Position No. 3 Terry A. Wood

Commissioner, Position No. 4 Cathy Bohman Commissioner, Position No. 5 Richard Hull

Park and Recreation District No. 2 (Brinnon) Commissioner, Position No. 3 No candidate (Nichole Brakeman withdrew)

Fire District No. 5 (Discovery Commissioner, Position No. 4 Nicole Black Bay) Commissioner, Position No. 2 Ford Kessler

Commissioner, Position No. 5 Nichole Brakeman

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North Olympic Peninsula Voter

FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION ENDING AUGUST 4, 2015

Guide

PENINSULA DAILY NEWS

Clallam County

County Commissioner, District No. 1 (East End) Do you support having an elected or appointed Department of Community Development director?

Frazier: The director of community development should remain an elected position and be accountable to the citizens of Clallam County for decisions made that may affect quality of life and financial stability.

Appointment to this position would remove accountability and place it firmly into the hands of the commissioners, where it may be abused and would deprive the citizens of the ability to replace the director if they are not satisfied with the person’s performance.

McEntire: The people of Clallam County have spoken twice on that question — the first time in 2002, when the position was converted to an elected office by a change to the county charter, and the second time in 2007, when the Charter Review Commission put a question on the ballot to reverse the earlier decision.

The citizens reaffirmed their earlier decision by a 58 percent42 percent margin.

I respect our citizens’ conclusion on this question.

Ozias: As commissioner I would support the wishes of Clallam County residents as expressed through the charter review process.

My personal opinion is that the DCD director should be an appointed position because it requires a high level of specialized professional knowledge for success, and a traditional hiring process will usually yield the most qualified candidates.

payer reserves must remain at all times for emergency operations.

Excess funds not needed for immediate expenditures should be invested according to relevant laws.

Other reserves in other funds should not be spent down unnecessarily and should be carried over from year to year.

McEntire: General fund (current expenses) reserve policy is prudent: $7.5 million restricted to cash flow or emergencies — natural disasters, or expensive legal proceedings such as a capital murder trial, or significant public health emergencies.

Unrestricted reserves are an additional 5 percent of planned general fund expenses (about $1.7 million).

Revenues exceeding this amount should be returned to citizens via tax decreases or should go to capital assets — wastewater systems, etc. — which we have done.

Ozias: The county’s reserve fund acts like a savings account to ensure the continuation of essential services during times of economic crisis.

It also allows us to multiply our local tax dollars by providing matching funds for state and federal grants awarded for large infrastructure and other projects.

With decreased revenue due to the recently passed sales tax cut, and increased expenses projected for the general fund, we should not be spending down our reserves.

To what extent do you support the requirements of Water Resource Inventory Area 18 (WRIA 18) ?

How would you manage the Frazier: I do not support county’s reserve fund?

WRIA 18.

Frazier: $100 million in tax-

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Bryan Frazier (D)

Jim McEntire (R)

Mark Ozias (D)

Residence: Sequim

Residence: Sequim

Residence: Sequim

Phone: 360-683-4424

Phone: 360-775-7357

Phone: 360-461-2613

Email: votejimmcentire@ gmail.com

Email: markoziasgomo@ gmail.com

Campaign website: www. electjimmcentire.com

Campaign website: www. markozias.org

Email: bfrazier@olypen.com Campaign website: http://bfrazier3.wix.com/ vote-frazier Age Nov. 3, Election Day:

Age Nov. 3, Election Day:

Age Nov. 3, Election Day:

56

65

45

Education: General Educational Development (GED) diploma, Peninsula College

Education: Bachelor’s degree, U.S. Coast Guard Academy; master’s degree, public administration, George Washington University; fellow, Secretary of Defense Strategic Studies Group.

Education: Graduate of Cherry Creek High School, Denver, Colo., 1989; Bachelor’s degree, politics and government, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, 1993; studied horticulture at South Seattle Community College, 2002-2003

Occupation: Merchandiser-sales assistant at Costco Wholesale for the past 16 years Have you ever run for or held elective public office?

No

Occupation: Clallam County commissioner Have you ever run for or held elective public office?

Commissioner, Port of Port Angeles (2008-2011); Clallam County commissioner (2012-present)

Occupation: Executive director, Sequim Food Bank Have you ever run for or held elective public office?

No

PENINSULA DAILY NEWS

North Olympic Peninsula Voter

Guide

FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION ENDING AUGUST 4, 2015

5

Clallam County commissioner, District No. 1/

CONTINUED

It’s based on flawed statistics, infringes on individual rights and devalues property.

The water trust and mitigation of water rights is “paper water.”

Having more water rights does not create more water.

Effort should be made to restore our aquifers, as termination of the irrigation ditches has caused aquifers to drop and wells to go dry.

Open the irrigation ditches, as they are critical to aquifer recharge.

About the job CLALLAM COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT NO. 1 Partisan or nonpartisan: Partisan Primary election boundaries: Sequim-area District 1 Voters: 18,764 as of July 7 Term: Four years Meetings: Work session every Monday, regular meetings every Tuesday

Compensation: If Jim McEntire is re-elected, he will make McEntire: I have believed $72,800. If an opponent wins, that person will make $69,300. from the beginning that Ecology’s Commissioners also receive a $60 monthly car allowance WRIA 18 East rule is not necesand a $40 monthly cellphone stipend. sary.

Dungeness River flows have Duties: Approve a general fund budget that in 2015 is $34.4 trended upward since 1988, when million and which covers 274 full-time-equivalent positions, set the last fish habitat analysis was a tax levy, approve county ordinances, approve the hiring of the done by the state. county administrator, serve on regional and statewide boards, Groundwater flows into saltserve on the county Board of Health, which meets monthly. water at over 90 cubic feet per second.

The existing rule needs to work equally as well for people and fish habitat — as it is supDo you favor or oppose the the Clallam County Public Utilposed to. ity District in 2010. county sending Carlsborg’s That’s what I have been pushNothing has changed these wastewater to Sequim’s treating the Department of Ecology to facts. ment plant? do.

Ozias: The requirements of WRIA 18 are intended to protect the rights of current users while mitigating new usage.

This year’s drought will emphasize the limited and precious nature of our water resource, and I agree with the majority of WRIA stakeholders in support of the requirements because they protect existing water rights and foster environmental stewardship.

Frazier: I am not in favor of the Carlsborg sewer plan at any level.

This plan will cause great financial harm to Carlsborg and to Clallam County.

There are not sufficient connections to support it, and the citizens cannot afford it.

This system has been found “profoundly cost-prohibitive” by three different groups: Parametrix in 1994, KCM in 1998 and

McEntire: Yes — it is far more cost-effective.

State law requires that unincorporated urban growth areas [UGAs], such as Carlsborg, eventually have utilities (and parks, police, etc.).

If the county were to have no credible plan to accomplish these things, the UGA would be held invalid, and people’s property rights would be seriously damaged — as we have seen happen

— and that’s true both for people who want to build and for those who already have built.

Ozias: I am in favor of sending Carlsborg’s wastewater to Sequim, because it is the most cost-effective and environmentally appropriate plan to combat rising nitrate levels in well-water samples.

Current property owners will be eligible for significant incentives for early connection.

Importantly, many Carlsborg businesses can begin to make plans for growth, which means jobs.

We need to move ahead in Carlsborg.

Would you serve a full term in office?

Frazier: Yes, I will serve my full term if elected.

My current employment will allow sufficient time for me to fulfill my duties, and I have my family’s full support.

Barring death or disabling illness or injury, I will complete my term.

I will listen to their concerns and place them in high regard in decision-making and planning.

I will attempt to provide a level of transparency, access, accountability and openness not seen in this county for the last 25 years.

I will provide strong, inclusive leadership for our citizens.

McEntire: In 2011, I said, “Voters have the opportunity to elect a thoughtful, fair-minded, sensible, responsible leader.”

I have been a constructive, collegial, common-sense conservative — and I have served with openness, good humor and dedication to good governance.

My focus has been on the economic advancement of our county, and I have an excellent record of doing what I promised.

Re-elect me, and that is what Clallam County voters can expect for the next four years.

Ozias: I am a proven leader who will find effective ways to involve citizens and stakeholders in important decisions because McEntire: Yes. I have been Clallam County residents honored to serve the people of deserve transparency.

Clallam County, and I ask they I believe our economic develvote to return me to this office. opment policy should focus on supporting the entrepreneurs Ozias: I look forward to repre- and small business owners who senting the citizens of Clallam have chosen to establish their County and will serve the full businesses here in addition to term of office. pursing new opportunities that maximize our county’s many Why should voters choose resources. you over your opponents?

As an executive and former Frazier: I will provide the cit- business owner, I have the right izens of this county an ear. experience for the job.

North Olympic Peninsula breaking news, local video, shopping values and much more on the Peninsula’s No. 1* Web site — 24/7!

www.peninsuladailynews.com *More than 1 million page views every month!

6

North Olympic Peninsula Voter

FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION ENDING AUGUST 4, 2015

Guide

PENINSULA DAILY NEWS

City of Port Angeles

City Council, Position No. 5 What would you do about rising government costs and declining revenues?

Merideth: Programs have to be scaled back or cut altogether.

The City Council is prioritizing programs.

Now, let’s implement those changes.

The city needs to be smart with future planing and with taking on new projects when we are in debt for many of the projects that are still ongoing.

In order to increase revenues, there has to be diversified growth while limiting the taxpayers burden.

Pak: Cut costs and limit projects to meet revenues.

Smith: Rising health costs, pensions and substantial carryover city debt have maintained the stagnant economy.

The worst thing we can do is drastically cut services or salaries.

That would make everyone broke and further our downward spiral. It is the wrong approach.

We must support ideas that grow local business and attract new industry to make all of us more profitable.

Our City Council must actively direct the financial decisions. We need to move forward, not backward.

To what extent should the city fund the Clallam County Economic Development Corp.

(EDC)?

Merideth: The Economic Development Corp. has to show what has been done on its end in order to be eligible for funding.

At this time, I don’t see the value in supporting this program at its current level.

This doesn’t mean there

hasn’t been effort put toward this program, but I would like the EDC to quantify what is the return on that investment.

Pak: Don’t know.

Smith: I hope Mr. [Bill] Greenwood, as the new executive director of the EDC, will take this job more seriously than past leaders.

The EDC needs accountability.

It should be innovative, creative, and widen its focus (not be overly focused on one industry).

It must explore a variety of opportunities for economic growth as other groups around the state have done successfully.

If it fails to meet this challenge, it is doubtful I could support its funding.

Michael Merideth

Merideth: Programs that need to be cut are the ones that benefit the few and not the many.

Our tax dollars have to support the programs that provide the highest dollar value to as many citizens as possible.

One program I don’t see the usefulness of is the citywide Internet that was installed on every other street corner.

Many people can’t even get a signal to access it.

Pak: I don’t recommend cutting a program, I believe in a reduction of all program across the board, because no one program is unimportant.

All programs do share the same resource.

Smith: It is difficult to identify “least important” city services.

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Marolee Smith

Residence: Port Angeles

Residence: Port Angeles

Residence: Port Angeles

Phone: 360-461-7363

Phone: 857-222-7810

Phone: 360-417-0386

Email: shanpak4@gmail. com

Email: maroleedsmith@ gmail.com

Campaign website: shanpak4@blogspot.com

Campaign website: www. maroleesmith.com

Age Nov. 3, Election Day: No response

60

Email: imagnthat@live.com

For budget-cutting purposes, what is the least important city program?

Shan Pak

Campaign website: None Age Nov. 3, Election Day: 42 Education: Port Angeles High School graduate; associate of applied science degree, fisheries technology, Peninsula College; associate of arts degree, general studies, Peninsula College Occupation: Truck driver at Bruch & Bruch Construction Inc., Port Angeles Have you ever run for or held elective public office?

No

Education: Master’s degree, Stanford University Occupation: Software engineer-consultant Have you ever run for or held elective public office?

No

Age Nov. 3, Election Day: Education: Alameda High School, Alameda Calif.; Peralta College, Oakland Occupation: Writer, author, researcher Have you ever run for or held elective public office?

No

PENINSULA DAILY NEWS

North Olympic Peninsula Voter

Guide

FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION ENDING AUGUST 4, 2015

Port Angeles City Council/

Port of Port Angeles

CONTINUED

Our money issues, in part, stem from the inability by the City Council to curtail excessive spending by the city staff, which also is over-reliant on outside consultants.

I believe there are encouraging changes by the city [chief financial officer] to move away from the habitual “drunken sailor” approach we have become accustomed to.

The City Council needs to do its job and say no when appropriate.

Should the city continue adding fluoride to drinking water?

Merideth: The city has no business putting fluoride in drinking water.

It’s called government infringing on the citizens right to choose what’s best for them.

We don’t need another chemical on top of how our water is processed to make it clean to drink.

There are so many other ways to get it without exposing all of us.

About the job PORT ANGELES CITY COUNCIL, POSITION NO. 5 Partisan or nonpartisan: Nonpartisan Election boundaries: Citywide Voters: 11,396 as of July 7 Term: Four years Meetings: Regular meetings first and third Tuesday, work sessions fourth Tuesday Compensation: The mayor, elected by the City Council, receives $650 per month; the deputy mayor, also elected by the council, receives $600 a month. All other council members receive $550 a month.

Duties: ■ Pass a general fund budget that for 2015 is $20 million.

■ Hire a city manager who is responsible for supervising a workforce of 240 full-time equivalent positions.

■ Adopts all ordinances, approves all contracts and serves on city, county, regional and state boards, commissions and subcommittees.

Pak: Yes.

Smith: I know that other City Council members have left before their full term expired Smith: Fluoride is an or have decided to run for industrial waste product. (I did other positions while holding the not support the addition of this office. to our water supply in the first If elected, I will serve a fourplace.) year-term on the City Council.

The choice was one for the I do not see myself as a voters, not for the city. professional politician.

Soon, the contract will expire, I do not have any aspirations and the issue will come up as a to run for any other political line item on our budget. (Fluoride office. costs money.)

I’m running only because of Let the people speak up.

Should we continue fluoride and my continued frustration with the expense? the representation we have had I will listen and vote thus far. accordingly.

Why should voters choose Will you serve a full term you over your opponents? in office?

Pak: No. Opinions vary.

Merideth: I have every intention of completing my entire term on the City Council.

As with the city budget, life is not always predictable.

I will do the best I can to support this city for all four years.

Merideth: I went to school here, I work here, I own a home here and my children are growing up here.

The success and livability of this city is important to me.

My wish is to see us strong,

vibrant and full of increasing growth.

I will do all that I can to make good decisions and move forward into the future.

Pak: Each voter must exercise his or her own judgement, disregarding what other people may say about a candidate, including me.

Smith: I have been a Port Angeles resident for over 20 years.

I have been a local business owner.

I have a unique perspective.

As a citizen, I have struggled with City Hall red tape and empty promises.

I stagger under the weight of taxes, utility increases and other fees.

I have watched city councils come and go.

Like many, I have questioned some of the mysterious decisions and controversial choices made here.

My goal: make a difference.

7

Port commissioner, District No. 3 How could the port better serve West End District 3?

Beauvais: The port needs to strongly support the effort to reinstate a sustainable timber supply in our county and research a value-added product that can be manufactured on the west end of the county.

Breidenbach: Increased sales revenue, balanced budgets, higher state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) harvest levels as identified under the DNR Habitat Conservation Plan and reduced dependence on property tax revenues.

Robinson: Press the state to make state trustlands available for logging.

Develop light manufacturing by working with the Small Business Administration and local banks to develop microloans for locals with good business ideas, especially in wood and carbon fiber products, so they can start and grow businesses that employ our people in careers with good pay, repay these loans and generate more rounds of business investment.

Whetham: Several months ago, I met with staff at the state Department of Natural Resources about a project on the Olympic Peninsula.

During that discussion, I learned that our port officials have been remarkably uninvolved in the dialogue with state officials about timber harvests.

I will advocate that our port reach out to Olympia requesting,

Connie Beauvais Michael Breidenbach Rick “Doc” Robinson Lee Whetham Candidates’ biographies, About the Job outline appear on next pages.

and/or demanding explanations for arrearages owed to us.

Furthermore, I’ll demand a sustainable and manageable timber harvest cycle.

To what extent should the port fund the Clallam County Economic Development Corp.

(EDC)?

Beauvais: I am in favor of the port continuing its current support for the EDC. My hope is that the newlyorganized board and staff will continue to improve accountability.

Breidenbach: As a Forks City Council member and a private citizen, I have supported the EDC in the past and have voted to help fund it.

I believe the EDC is moving in a positive direction with its detailed implementation work plan, but I feel that the port should not fund the EDC. This organization has not lived up to its expectations, and it would serve the c ounty and port better to explore other options.

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8

North Olympic Peninsula Voter

FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION ENDING AUGUST 4, 2015

Guide

PENINSULA DAILY NEWS

Port of Port Angeles commissioner, District No. 3/

CONTINUED

Robinson: If the EDC can do a better job of developing wood product and carbon fiber businesses than port staff, then the port can fund the EDC on a project-by-project basis.

If [the] EDC is no better, then funding another layer of government is a bad idea.

It comes down to what works.

We must develop light manufacturing because it can afford to pay living wages that allow employees to buy homes and make a strong community.

Whetham: As a public officeholder, I’ve reluctantly concluded that there are far too many groups here on the North Olympic Peninsula that are advertising for, and competing for, tourists and/or companies willing to locate here.

We need a single, Peninsulawide leadership group, and I believe it should not be the EDC. The Port of Port Angeles is the logical choice to be the ultimate coordinator.

I strongly support bringing economic development under the port’s umbrella.

What should the port do about the city’s obstructive Lincoln Park trees?

Beauvais: I would like the port to continue to grow its productive relationship with the city on this and other items of mutual interest so that issues like the trees in the park can be solved productively and expeditiously.

I support the process currently underway to restore the flight path for our very crucial airport, but would like to see it move forward more quickly.

Breidenbach: I see this as a safety issue.

As port commissioner, one of my primary responsibilities will be to protect the safety of port employees, contractors and the general public.

If regular, long-term flight service resumed, the trees would need to be taken care of, either by removal or topping.

I would be open to other alternatives that would protect the

Connie Beauvais

Michael Breidenbach

Residence: Joyce Phone: 360-797-4261; 360928-9538 E-mail: Connie4port@ olypen.com Campaign website: connie4port.com

Residence: Port Angeles

Residence: Port Angeles

Phone: 360-640-0333

Phone: 360-797-1995

Phone: 360-452-1553

Email: elect@ mikebreidenbach.org

Occupation: Manager, Crescent Water Association; owner, Alpacas of Cedar Wind Have you ever run for or held elective public office? I was elected to serve as a District 3 commissioner on the 2015 Charter Review Commission.

safety of current and future airport and park users.

Robinson: Until the Federal Aviation Administration, the majority of local pilots, or a commercial flight operator offering to provide us services says fix it, then I would do nothing.

If one or more of these groups says the situation is dangerous, then we will have to trim or cut the trees.

Email: docrobinson2015@ gmail.com

Campaign website: www. mikebreidenbach.org

Campaign website: None

Email: Leew@wavecable. com Campaign website: Facebook — Lee Whetham

Age Nov. 3, Election Day: 62

63

64 Education: Associate degree, business, Healed Business College, Sacramento, Calif.

Lee Whetham

Residence: Forks

Age Nov. 3, Election Day: Age Nov. 3, Election Day:

Rick ‘Doc’ Robinson

Age Nov. 3, Election Day: 55

Education: High school, one year of college credits

Education: Master’s degree, management; Ph.D., public policy

Education: North Kitsap High School.

Occupation: Retired senior Northwest sales manager for Rayonier Inc.

Occupation: I am a technical writer, management consultant and business owner.

Occupation: Washington state-certified commercial journeyman plumber

Have you ever run for or held elective public office? I have been on the Forks City Council for seven years.

Have you ever run for or held elective public office?

No

Have you ever run for or held elective public office?

Yes. I’m currently serving a four-year term on the Port Angeles City Council.

Whetham: A runway extension is not cost-effective, so the economical answer to the tree problem is to replace them with a lower-growing variety.

Furthermore, if the port uses [Federal Aviation Administration] grant funding, a lengthy environmental impact statement will be necessary.

But, if the port negotiates with and/or pays the city of Port Angeles directly, the hazards could be

eliminated much sooner.

I support direct negotiations with the city of Port Angeles, because we`re all in this together.

time period. Different times call for different solutions.

I would look at each proposal on an individual basis.

Should port land ever be sold to a private buyer?

Breidenbach: Yes, if it benefits Clallam County’s taxpayers long term, is environmentally sound, fits long-term planning and decreases the port’s expenses related to management and staffing.

Beauvais: It depends on the location and circumstances of each individual sale.

It also depends on the state of the county’s economy in any given

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PENINSULA DAILY NEWS

Port/

CONTINUED

Robinson: Past misuse of port land by business is why these lands were acquired.

The people of Clallam County get to decide how much should be shipbuilding and maintenance.

How much logging. How much heavy and light industry. How much shipping and how much should be tourism and recreation.

The people also get to decide what should be done where.

I do not see a need to sell port land in the foreseeable future.

Whetham: Yes. I view the former discussions regarding Platypus Marine as an example of selling port property that I would support.

With several primary shipbuilders/repair companies on our waterfront, we will attract other companies interested in support services.

That, in turn, will employ additional local residents and provide lengthy leases for our additional public waterfront.

We don’t have a shortage of waterfront property. We have a shortage of business interests.

North Olympic Peninsula Voter

Guide

FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION ENDING AUGUST 4, 2015

Clallam, Jefferson counties

About the job PORT OF PORT ANGELES COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 3 Partisan or nonpartisan: Nonpartisan Primary election boundaries: West End and Port Angeles west side Voters: 13,260 as of July 7 Term: Four years Meetings: Second and fourth Tuesday of every month Compensation: Eligible for up to $114 per day for portrelated activities for up to 96 days a year, or $10,944 and a salary of $254 a month for a maximum annual monetary compensation of $13,992; medical, dental, vision, long-term disability and life insurance.

Duties: Approve a general fund budget that in 2015 is $7.5 million. The port has 44 full-time-equivalent positions.

times as the voters will let me serve.

On the port commission, I can and will be a long-term, effective representative for Clallam County’s West End. Why? Because for years I’ve packed my lunch and worked all over the area, from Joyce to Beaver and Will you serve a full term in from Forks to Neah Bay. office?

I’ve gotten to know the West End’s tough, unique people well Beauvais: I think it is the eth- and the many problems they face. ical thing to do unless medical or family issues are involved.

Why should voters choose The reason I’m running, first you over your opponents? and foremost, is to help Clallam County in the best way I can, and Beauvais: I have the proven that requires a full-term commit- competence to do the job, the comment. mon sense to do it well and the courage to fight for what’s best for Breidenbach: I would not be our county. running for port commissioner if I My experience on the water did not expect to serve my full district, the Charter Review Comterm in office. mission and the county Planning Currently, I am serving my full Commission have given me broad term as a Forks City Council and specific insights into what member and have been on the this county needs.

City Council for seven years.

And I want to put that experiRunning for port commissioner ence and knowledge to work as does not overlap with my City port commissioner.

Council term.

It is important for elected offiBreidenbach: I have a strong cials to serve their entire term, as business background and experithey owe it to the voters. ence in many of the operations that the port is responsible for Robinson: Yes, I have no overseeing. plans to climb a political ladder My unique experience as a and will serve out my term in customer of the Port of Port Angeoffice. les helps me understand both the Whetham: Yes, and as many senior management issues and

the daily field operations that impact both the port and its business partners.

Having lived in Forks for 36 years and raised a family here, I am invested in the West End community.

Robinson: I am running because a call went out for new ideas.

I have worked in business development my entire career.

I am solution-oriented. If I can add a more-and-better-jobs focus to this campaign, then I will have done what I set out to do.

If the people decide they want more, then they will make me their port commissioner.

The port is our business engine. Make the port make good jobs.

Whetham: Because I have a documented history of fighting for local workers dating back to the Elwha River restoration project.

When the main contractor brought in a crew from Guam, I vigorously opposed him, and won: Local workers received back wages and the prevailing wage.

Recently, I convinced the Port Angeles City Council to place an apprenticeship utilization requirement on large construction projects.

Contractors can no longer bring in their entire workforce from out of state.

9

Fire District No. 3, commissioner 1 Should the district fill retiring Fire Marshal-Assistant Chief Roger Moeder’s position?

Gawley: We recently selected Ben Andrews to replace our retiring chief, Steve Vogel, and are working closely with Chief Andrews as he plans a restructuring of management to determine the most effective and cost-efficient arrangement.

Should it be determined that Chief Moeder’s tasks can be distributed among others in the new structure, and that this in no way compromises the safety of the community, then I would recommend we not fill this position.

Ryan: I believe the position of fire marshal is an important component of any fire department.

However, with our district’s size, I don’t believe the position of fire marshal would be a fulltime affair.

The district has many growing needs. I believe this position can handle more than one aspect than just fire marshal.

Fire marshal, investigations and building code inspections can usually be handled by one person in a department of this size.

Slind: The assistant chief’s position has vast impacts on public education services, code enforcement and services as community fire marshal.

All of these responsibilities

G Michael Gawley Sean Ryan Alan W. Slind Candidates’ biographies, About the Job outline appear on next page.

are imperative in the support of the services provided to the people of the fire district.

This job is one element of the emergency service response assisting the public.

Yes, I would recommend these services be continued.

How will you maintain existing staff and deal with the increase in emergency calls?

Gawley: This will be done through the use of modern equipment and well-trained individuals.

Approximately 85 percent of our calls are for medical reasons.

All of our firefighters are also emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and we encourage them to consider advancing to paramedics.

Utilizing modern equipment such as laptop computers, we are able to handle calls more efficiently while also utilizing interface capabilities with local hospitals.

Ryan: A fire district-department is a business.

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10

North Olympic Peninsula Voter

FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION ENDING AUGUST 4, 2015

Guide

PENINSULA DAILY NEWS

Fire District No. 3 commissioner, District 1/

CONTINUED

About the job CLALLAM-JEFFERSON FIRE DISTRICT NO. 3 COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 1 Partisan or nonpartisan: Nonpartisan Election boundaries: East of Deer Park Road near Port Angeles to Gardiner in Jefferson County.

Voters: 23,770 as of July 7 Term: Winner takes office immediately, then fills a six-year term starting in January..

Meetings: First and third Tuesday of the month.

Compensation: Eligible for $114 per day for each day or portion of a day in performance of district duties up to $10,944, or 96 days.

Duties: Approve a budget that in 2015 includes $10.4 million for the general fund.

The fire district has 42 full-time-equivalent positions.

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Proper financial management is an important aspect of any business.

Being a business owner, I understand these kinds of challenges, and I plan to use my experience in proper budgeting and expenditure control to help the commissioners and chiefs deal with our present budget and increased call volume.

Slind: My financial background has given me a variety of experiences in fiscal planning and budgeting.

With an evaluation of the expenditures and current available revenue sources, I feel the increase in calls can be met with additional life-support personnel and better emergency resource management without increasing taxes.

What do you hope to accomplish after six years in office?

Gawley: A well-trained and well-equipped department means a safer and more secure community.

I am very proud of our organization now and hope to help it achieve even greater excellence in the future through the judicious use of our budget to supply our firefighters, EMTs and paramedics with the tools and training they require to do the very best then can for our “customers,” the taxpayers.

Ryan: If elected commissioner, my goal is to help make sure our community’s needs are truly met and to help make sure the community’s money is being spent wisely to support its needs.

G. Michael Gawley

Sean Ryan

Alan W. Slind

Residence: Sequim

Residence: Port Angeles

Residence: Port Angeles

Phone: 360-809-0322

Phone: 360-912-1066

Phone: 360-457-8884

Email: GawleyForCommissioner@ mgawley.com

Email: ryanforfirecommissioner@mail. com

Campaign website: http://GawleyForDistrict3. com

Campaign website: www. electseanryan.com

Email: alanwslind@gmail. com Campaign website: None Age Nov. 3, Election Day: 76

Age Nov. 3, Election Day: Age Nov. 3, Election Day:

53

72 Education: High school Education: Graduated from high school in 1962.

Attended college at Penn State University, Oklahoma City University and the University of Hawaii.

Occupation: Retired from the Federal Aviation Administration after 32 years of service. Functions included air traffic controller, management support specialist, training officer and air traffic computer systems programmer.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, business administration

Occupation: Business owner

Occupation: Retired chief financial officer

Have you ever run for or held elective public office?

I have run for District No. 3 fire commissioner but not held elective public office.

Have you ever run for or held elective public office?

No

Have you ever run for or Slind: I hope that my accomheld elective public office? plishments will reflect an increasI have served as a Fire District ing fiscally responsible fire No. 3 commissioner since department, one with a new straFebruary 2014. tegic growth plan for the fire district that will meet the needs of the community’s emergency and commitment to this community my full term in office and look fire service requirements. forward to the challenges and for 20 years to provide the best satisfactions that serving the Will you serve a full term possible service it deserves as community brings. in office? well as being a volunteer firefighter for seven years.

Ryan: Yes! I have made a Gawley: Yes, I plan to serve

I plan on taking that same commitment to our fire district as a commissioner and all they serve.

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PENINSULA DAILY NEWS

North Olympic Peninsula Voter

Fire District No. 3

Why should voters choose you over your opponents?

Gawley: I have experience, good judgment and a strong sense of public service.

While currently serving as fire commissioner, I have confronted many important issues, including the selection of a new chief, budget reviews, personnel issues, equipment purchases and more.

Also, I have been a volunteer firefighter for eight years and an EMT for six years, thereby giving me a broad knowledge of the department’s needs and the community’s requirements.

Ryan: I’m sure my opponents are quality people.

I hold utmost respect for them, but what I can bring is many years of successful business experience, seven years of volunteer firefighting and an understanding of our community’s needs and resources to meet those needs.

Our community needs to know what their money pays for and how it works for them.

I believe the funds the department uses should be for needs more than wants.

Slind: I am the only candidate with a degree in business administration.

I can objectively evaluate the budget and assist in setting policies that will serve the community in the best way with the fire district resources and can accomplish this by being fiscally responsible and having a watch over precious tax dollars.

FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION ENDING AUGUST 4, 2015

11

Sequim School District

Director at large, Position No. 5

CONTINUED Slind: In deciding to run for this office, I have evaluated the six-year term and, if elected, I do plan to serve the full term as fire commissioner.

Guide

What would you do to address the school district’s aging infrastructure?

Meyer: Every business or government entity has to plan how best to maintain its investments in its physical assets.

Continuing upkeep and preventative maintenance schedules are essential elements of any prudent operating budget.

Let these slip, and our physical assets will quickly deteriorate.

I would focus on how our current year and out-year budgets handle anticipatory modernizations and upgrades as incremental outlays in contrast to sporadic funding for major replacement projects.

Payne: Work to provide the community the information it needs to see the value of providing good schools as an investment in the future of our community.

Focus on the need to pass a bond. I would support a bond of similar size and nature as the last one.

I would actively work to help pass it.

Our schools are falling apart.

As a result, it discourages doctors and other professionals the community needs to relocate here.

Short: Creating a construction bond is the chief issue facing the Sequim School Board at this time.

It is imperative that the board has better communication with the community in order to increase the awareness and importance of this issue.

As a board member, I would work with my fellow members to produce a passable bond, and I would engage the public to communicate the reasons behind the bond and why it is a necessity.

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Charles Meyer

William Payne

Residence: Sequim

Residence: Sequim

Phone: 360-797-1530

Phone: 360-912-4044

Email: cameyer3@yahoo. com

Email: wplawps@gmail. com

Campaign website: None

Campaign website: www.williampayne.org

Age Nov. 3, Election Day: 64

Age Nov. 3, Election Day:

Heather Short Residence: Port Angeles (within Sequim School District) Phone: 360-417-2612 Email: electheathershort@ gmail.com Campaign website: www. facebook.com/electheathershort

58 Education: Bachelor’s degree, U.S. Air Force Academy; master’s degree, national security affairs; master’s degree, telecommunications management Occupation: I retired as chief of an organization within the National Security Agency responsible for maintaining and repairing cryptologic communications equipment for the entire Department of Defense.

Have you ever run for or held public office? No

Age Nov. 3, Election Day: Education: High school diploma; bachelor’s degree in occupational education and master’s degree in business administration, Wayland Baptist University; law degree, University of Wyoming Occupation: Attorney Have you ever run for or held elective public office?

Yes, ran for Clallam County Superior Court judge in 2012 and Clallam County prosecuting attorney in 2014

38 Education: High school diploma, 1995, Forest Hills Central High School, Grand Rapids, Mich.; bachelor’s degree, 2001, Murray State University, Murray, Ky.; master’s degree, 2002, Murray State University; 2002; Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, 2006, Auburn University, Auburn, Ala. Occupation: Veterinarian, owner of Sequim Animal Hospital Have you ever run for or held elective public office?

No

12

FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION ENDING AUGUST 4, 2015

North Olympic Peninsula Voter

Guide

PENINSULA DAILY NEWS

Sequim School District director at large/

CONTINUED

How well is the district preparing students for life after high school?

Meyer: By most measures, (graduation rates, admissions to college, employment percentages, etc.) our district’s high school graduates have been comparable to the statewide averages.

On the other hand, I have anecdotal feedback from local businesses that it is very difficult these days to find and hire qualified employees.

Moreover, drug abuse and associated property crime is trending upward on the Peninsula, especially among the young.

I believe there is lots of room for improvement.

About the job SEQUIM SCHOOL DISTRICT, DIRECTOR AT LARGE, POSITION 5 Partisan or nonpartisan: Nonpartisan Election boundaries: Boundaries include the city of Sequim and all or parts of the communities of Agnew, Bell Hill, Blue Mountain, Blyn, Carlsborg, Diamond Point, Dungeness, Happy Valley, Jamestown, Robin Hill and SunLand in Clallam County, and Gardiner in Jefferson County. Boundaries include some residents in a Port Angeles postal ZIP code.

Voters: 22,294 as of July 7 Term: Four years Meetings: First and third Monday

Compensation: Eligible for $50 a day for attending School Board meetings and performing other services on behalf of the Payne: There are a number of school district, not to exceed $4,800 annually. School Board success stories that come out of members traditionally have not collected compensation. our schools in Sequim and the Olympic Peninsula.

Duties: Overall, our district does a ■ Approve a general fund budget for Sept. 1, 2014, to great job.

Aug. 31, 2015, that includes $27.5 million for the general fund.

There are always The district has 289 full-time-equivalent positions. opportunities for improvement, ■ Hire a superintendent, who approves the hiring of all whether it’s through an improved school district employees.

Hi-Cap program [Highly Capable ■ Approve polices and procedures for students and program for student], additional employees.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities, improving technology or focusing on science, technology, engineering and Accordingly, assuming there is kindergarten program, we would mathematics (STEM). increased funding from the need more floor space (perhaps Legislature, it should be by renting portable classrooms), Short: I think Common Core established by the time I am and we would have to hire State Standards provide an elected. additional teachers. effective framework for preparing There would also be increased students for college and career Short: At this point, the costs for technology support and readiness. district is as ready as it can be to utilities.

According to the latest handle all-day kindergarten.

The board would have to statistics from the Office of Without enough funding, the consider how these increased cost Superintendent of Public district was only able to purchase proposals would compare with Instruction, approximately 60 other urgent spending needs and two more portables for Helen percent of our seniors are Haller Elementary School. then agree how best to allocate continuing on to a degree The concern remains that scarce resources to best serve the program out of high school. there are not bathrooms needs of the children.

Combined with an excellent available in all of these vocational program, the Sequim kindergarten classes.

Payne: Increased funding School District is doing an Passage of a bond would from the state with the McCleary exceptional job preparing our directly address these issues. decision to provide facilities and students for success in both staff. college and career goals.

Do you agree or disagree The current board and with teachers who went on administration anticipate How can the district establishing all-day kindergarten strike for a day? establish all-day for the 2015-2016 school year kindergarten?

Meyer: There are multiple and have made great progress in planning for its implementation. issues involved in our current Meyer: To expand the

schools’ problems that are much more complex than a strike-no strike decision.

I see the teachers strike as an effort to raise in the minds of the legislators a sense of the urgency regarding the multitude of problems we are facing.

That the teachers felt this was their only recourse tells me that communications among the interested parties are not what they should be.

security systems and negotiated collaborative agreements with foreign allied governments.

I am now serving as a Clallam County Sheriff’s Citizens Advisory Committee member; unit commissioner, Boy Scouts of America; Personnel Oversight Committee member, Sequim Community Church.

I have led teams, analyzed complex statistical data and put three kids through college.

These are the tools I bring.

Payne: While I may not like it (as much as the students did to have a day off of school) that educators in our public schools go on strike, they have a contract right to do so.

Payne: I have business management and legal experience to enhance the skillset of the board, was well as my children have attended and currently attend Sequim schools.

Therefore, I have a direct Short: I believe student connection to the schools and programs need to be adequately funded, and our teachers deserve understand the issues facing the institution today. to be compensated fairly.

I think all members of the This was the message that the School Board should have strike attempted to send to our children currently enrolled in the Legislature.

I appreciate that the teachers district. union took into consideration Short: I believe for a board to school events when planning the be successful, it must be able to strike as well as creating an opportunity for awareness of not cooperate, communicate and engage our community. only state issues, but local The combination of my challenges. professional background and expertise, coupled with the Will you serve a full term compassion I have for all of our in office? students in Sequim as a parent, gives me a unique perspective Meyer: At present, I have no reason to doubt that I could serve and understanding of how to be a four-year term in office without an effective board member and strong collaborator with our interruption. community.

Payne: Yes, as far as I can determine, I have no reason not to.

Short: Yes. With two young children at Greywolf Elementary School as well as being a smallbusiness owner, my family is fully vested in the Sequim community, and I foresee no reason for us leaving.

Why should voters choose you over your opponents?

Meyer: Every candidate brings unique tools to the table.

I have managed government contracts for microelectronics chip production and information

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North Olympic Peninsula Voter

Guide

FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION ENDING AUGUST 4, 2015

13

City of Port Townsend

City Council, Position No. 6 What would you change about the city comprehensive plan?

Rice: We must strengthen the comprehensive plan’s emphasis on affordable housing, adding language that mandates the creation of a community land trust [CLT].

Designed to prevent market forces from controlling the price of all available housing, a CLT in Port Townsend will help us bring water to the rental desert and overcome the cycle of marketbased evictions for the working people of our city.

Smith: I was struck by the fact that many of the elements addressed in the 1996 plan remain vital issues today, specifically housing and economic development.

In my reading, I discovered that our city has used innovative and insightful strategies to address these issues through appropriate policy.

I am looking forward to the next year of community input and don’t think that any changes I wish to make outweigh the needs the community will make clear.

Wexman: The existing comprehensive plan looks pretty good to me.

Trouble is, we’ve not paid much attention to it.

The aims are, in general, well considered; the strategies, on the other hand, rather mundane.

I’d emphasize infill development rather than sprawl, and cost-conscious rehabilitation over new construction.

The maintenance and enhancement of our small town atmosphere is highlighted.

Do we know how to do it? I

don’t think so.

How closely should the city work with the Port Townsend School District to pass the anticipated 2016 school district bond?

Rice: Our schools are a major component in keeping Port Townsend vibrant and growing.

Strengthening infrastructure in the city with projects like the Howard Street extension will increase the school district’s tax base and spur voter support for bonds that will help deliver a bright future for our children.

Smith: The long-term success of Port Townsend is intrinsically tied to the success of its schools.

Our city has a high median age and is loved by retirees who would like to age in place.

In order for this demographic to be successful, it is necessary to attract and keep young families.

The city should assist in communicating the issues behind the need.

Building maintenance, facilities improvements and enrollment growth are all needed for success.

Wexman: Surely, the city and school district ought to work together on major issues.

I’ve not seen formal documents concerning a 2016 bond.

Assuming a tear-down and start-over at Grant Street Elementary School is in the bag, I’d be inclined to say no.

If the bond contained a costconscious and imaginative upgrade like the one I recently proposed in a meeting with Schools Superintendent David Engle, then I’d say yes.

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Paul S. Rice

Amy Smith

Todd Wexman

Residence: Port Townsend

Residence: Port Townsend

Residence: Port Townsend

Phone: 206-595-5441

Phone: 360-550-0978

Phone: 360-379-1596

Email: paulriceforcitycouncil@gmail. com Campaign website: https://www.facebook.com/ groups/RiceforCityCouncil

Email: amyforcitycouncil@ gmail.com

Campaign website: None Campaign website: www. facebook.com/amyforcitycouncil Age Nov. 3, Election Day:

Age Nov. 3, Election Day: Education: University Preparatory Academy (high school), Seattle; bachelor’s degree, theatre studies, Emerson College, Boston, Mass.

Occupation: Business owner Have you ever run for or held elective public office?

No.

Age Nov. 3, Election Day: 77

33 33

Email: None

Education: High school diploma, Tonasket High School, Tonasket; studied business administration, Peninsula College; studied culinary arts, Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, Portland, Ore.; courses in Jefferson County through Bard College, Annandale-On-Hudson, N.Y., attended Wenatchee Valley College.

Occupation: Nonprofit administration; currently executive director of the Boiler Room, a volunteer-run coffee house and social-services referral center Have you ever run for or held elective public office?

No.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill; master’s degree, architecture, Yale University Occupation: Architect, planner Have you ever run for or held elective public office?

I was elected mayor of Earlville, Ill.

14

North Olympic Peninsula Voter

FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION ENDING AUGUST 4, 2015

Guide

PENINSULA DAILY NEWS

Port Townsend City Council/

CONTINUED

For budget-cutting purposes, what is a city program or position you would eliminate, and why?

Rice: I believe the ideal solution to fixing a budget shortfall is to defer programs or maintenance as opposed to eliminating programs and positions outright.

Cutting vital city resources must be the last solution to a crisis.

Given the arbitrary situation proposed by the question, I would eliminate the salary for City Council members, because this would not be a burden to the public at large.

Smith: This isn’t a question that I can answer at this time.

I need to review the city budget by line-item in order to have an educated answer — something I look forward to.

However, I generally find it preferable to make sure that all potential sources of income have first been identified and utilized.

Only if the program or position is not meeting prearranged markers of success should it be cut.

Wexman: I believe we could cut spending across the board without significantly jeopardizing the quality of life in our town.

We’ve a city payroll that’s more than doubled over the past decade.

That’s one place to start.

City Attorney John Watts retired. Two mediocrities have taken his place.

By thinking smart, we might have forgone the patently unnecessary and destructive Howard Street extension.

Too late for that!

What would be your biggest accomplishment if elected?

Rice: Every single person or couple or family who wants to live in Port Townsend and have

Smith: Yes

About the job PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL, POSITION 6 Partisan or nonpartisan: Nonpartisan Election boundaries: City of Port Townsend Voters: 7,094 as of July 7

Why should voters choose you over your opponents?

Term: Four years Meetings: First and third Monday of the month; work session on the second Monday.

Compensation: The mayor, appointed by council members, receives $750 a month. Other council members receive $500 a month.

Duties: ■ Passes a general fund budget that for 2015 is $7.2 million.

■ Hires a city manager who is responsible for supervising a workforce of 100 full-time-equivalent positions.

■ Adopts all ordinances, approves all contracts and serves on city, county, regional and state boards, commissions and subcommittees.

good jobs and reside in fairlypriced housing will have a voice in me.

My accomplishment will be collaborating with my fellow council members on a series of programs designed to make living in our city affordable for everyone.

From land trusts to housing funds, we will shelter our citizens while building a resilient infrastructure for the children yet to come.

Smith: The upcoming comprehensive plan will outline managing Port Townsend’s growth, and it is important to give everyone in the community an appropriate way in which to express their needs.

We all have our own visions for Port Townsend, and mine is no more important than anyone else’s.

However, I would be proud of

Wexman: I’ve a longstanding record of making commitments and following through on them.

Ask my friends involved in Earth Day, MoveOn and national, state and local politics.

On the ground, in letters and during public meetings, I’ve time and again done it all.

bringing my extensive experience with strategic planning to the table to create an effective, clear plan that will benefit all demographics.

Wexman: I’d like to see our City Council play both a leading and more imaginative role in directing city business.

We should first and foremost begin to fully exploit the immense pool of creative talent — I call it “social capital” – that resides herein and, by the by, advance the cause of affordability in terms of housing choice and commercial opportunity.

Will you serve a full term in office?

Rice: I will serve my full term and beyond if the voters of Port Townsend will allow me to.

Rice: I am a multi-issue candidate, capable and confident in working on the varied situations that the City Council entertains.

I am inclusive and collaborative, ready to hear all opinions before deciding on a course of action.

I am an authentic voice for folks and families, eager to work for the future of Port Townsend.

Smith: My commitment to this community can be seen in my job and my extensive volunteer work.

I’ve also been a clerk, dishwasher, server, barista and line cook in Port Townsend.

I believe I have a unique perspective, which helps me keep an open mind and consider the viewpoints of others in my decision-making.

I am confident in my ability to create positive change while respecting and maintaining Port Townsend’s unique culture and impressive heritage.

Wexman: Experience matters, as does imaginative talent.

My history and background abounds in such.

Know that I once brought a small town from nearbankruptcy to prosperity in less than four years.

Given the chance, I could help do the same in Port Townsend.

I’ve much to offer and many smart friends to call upon for help.

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EVERY TUESDAY! Every week’s Money Tree is ripe with exclusive discounts — 35 percent off!

— from North Olympic Peninsula businesses.

It’s easy and fun. ✔ Check the Money Tree page on Tuesdays for the bargain you want. ✔ Phone the PDN’s Port Angeles office at 360-4177684 and use your credit card to claim your purchase.

We’ll mail the certificate to be redeemed to you . . . at no extra cost. ✔ Or if you’re in the neighborhood, drop by the PDN’s Port Angeles office at 305 W. First St. to pick up your certificate. (It’s not available at our Port Townsend or Sequim offices.)

Have fun!

PENINSULA DAILY NEWS

North Olympic Peninsula Voter

PENINSULA DAILY NEWS

Guide

FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION ENDING AUGUST 4, 2015

15

Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center

Proposition 1: SARC metropolitan park district

BY CHRIS MCDANIEL PENINSULA DAILY NEWS

SEQUIM — Voters will decide in August whether to create a new metropolitan park district that would fund the Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center with property taxes but without regular property-tax elections.

The recreation center at 610 N. Fifth Ave., which includes the Dungeness Valley’s only public swimming pool, is known by the acronym SARC. The district’s creation would create a board that presumably would replace the current Clallam County Park and Recreation District No. 1 board, which does not have the power to adjust tax levies.

Park and Recreation District No. 1 was created by East End voters in 1988 to build and oversee the SARC complex at 610 N. Fifth Ave. A measure to create the metropolitan park district, which would have the same Clallam County boundaries as the Sequim School District as well as Park and Recreation District No. 1, will appear on the Aug. 4 primary election ballot.

On the ballot METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT FORMATION Proposition 1 would create a SARC Metropolitan Park District.

This district would have boundaries identical to the Clallam County Park and Recreation District No. 1 (d/b/a SARC); have all powers under RCW 35.61, including the authority to levy a general annual property tax of up to seventy-five cents ($0.75) per thousand dollars of assessed valuation; however, recommended to be twelve cents ($0.12) per thousand dollars of assessed valuation; and be governed by a five-member board of at large commissioners.

Should the SARC Metropolitan Park District be approved or rejected.

FOR the formation of a metropolitan park district to be governed by a five member board of commissioners to be elected at large.

AGAINST the formation of a metropolitan park district.

home $24 a year to support the metropolitan park district.

Proposition 1 on the ballot notes that the metropolitan park district board would have the authority to levy up to 75 cents property tax per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

A 75-cent annual levy would cost the owner of that $200,000 home $150 a year.

Once created, such a levy is All-mail election permanent, according to state Ballots in the all-mail primary law. election were mailed Wednesday, Clallam County Parks and July 15, to registered voters in Recreation District No. 1 must the existing Clallam County seek voter approval for levy Park and Recreation District No. increases of more than 1 percent 1. annually.

Proposition 1 proposes a A park and recreation district “recommended” property tax levy can only raise money through a of 12 cents per $1,000 of assessed levy approved by a majority of property valuation — the same voters, or through the sale of amount voters failed to approve bonds that require voter approval in a SARC levy election in of 60 percent.

February.

Conversely, a metropolitan A 12-cent annual levy would park district board — candidates cost the owner of a $200,000 for which will also appear on the

Aug. 4 ballot — can create a new tax at will.

Twelve candidates are vying for the five provisional board positions.

If voters approve creation of the district, the candidate having the most votes in each position are automatically elected to the board and do not have to move on to the general election under the state’s “top two” primary system.

If voters reject the district, the results of the commissioner elections are null and void.

One commissioner already So far, the only commissioner is Ken Stringer, who would hold Position No. 2 on the board.

Stringer’s opponent for seat No. 2, Bill Wrobel (whose name appears on the ballot), withdrew his candidacy.

Terms of up to six years are staggered according to the

number of votes each candidate receives.

Those receiving the greatest number of votes serve the longest terms.

The metropolitan park district THE STATE LAW proposal is seen by SARC covering formation and supporters as a way to solve the operation of metropolitan aquatic center’s longstanding park districts such as the financial problems. one proposed for SARC is in Revised Code of For the past 12 years, SARC Washington 35.61, which is has relied on reserve money mentioned in the collected through the first 14 Proposition 1 ballot years of its existence. measure.

Park and Recreation District RCW 35.61 provisions No. 1 ceased to collect taxes in appear online and can be early 2003 after voters failed to accessed at http://tinyurl. ratify various levies floated by com/pdn-mpd.

SARC commissioners.

Peninsula Daily News SARC expects to run out of funding by December 2016, with reserves expected to fall below $350,000 by the end of this year. newly created metropolitan park In 2014, SARC had an income district board. of $877,921.80 and expenditures The new board would then of $1,117,852.64 — a net loss of vote on accepting SARC’s assets. about $240,000.

What is RCW 35.61?

City of Sequim proposal Trend continues That trend is continuing in 2015 with a total income projected to be $935,600 and projected expenditures of $1,209,100 — about $273,500 in the red.

According to projections, SARC will be able to recover about 77 percent of operating costs this year with proceeds from the sale of user passes, classes and other activities.

The loss would be corrected by a new influx of funding through the automatic property tax levy, supporters say.

If the ballot measure passes, the Park and Recreation District No. 1 commissioners will decide whether to dissolve their board and turn over SARC assets to the

Complicating the question, the Sequim City Council on April 27 endorsed efforts to pursue a separate “broad-based” city metropolitan park district on the February 2016 ballot.

The city’s metropolitan park district would fund a variety of parks and recreation facilities and activities, not just SARC. That district would encompass the same East End area as that proposed by Proposition 1, including unincorporated areas.

However, if voters approve the August proposition, the city is not expected to pursue its 2016 ballot measure.

________ Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-6812390, ext. 5052, or cmcdaniel@ peninsuladailynews.com.

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North Olympic Peninsula Voter

FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION ENDING AUGUST 4, 2015

Guide

PENINSULA DAILY NEWS

SARC Metropolitan Park District (provisional)

SARC commissioner, Position No. 1 About the job SARC METROPOLITAN PARK DISTRICT COMMISSIONER (provisional) Partisan or nonpartisan: Nonpartisan Election boundaries: Clallam County Park and Recreation District No. 1, including the communities of Carlsborg, Agnew, Blyn and Diamond Point, plus the city of Sequim Voters: 22,008 as of July 7 Term: Commissioners who are elected when the district is created serve staggered terms of up to six years based on the number of votes each candidate receives, with the largest vote-getters serving the longest terms. All subsequent commissioners are elected to six-year terms.

Meetings: Meeting dates to be determined, at least once a month.

Compensation: Park district commissioners are eligible for $90 per day for each day or portion of a day in performance of district duties up to $8,640 a year, or up to 96 days.

Duties: Pass a budget, set fees, manage district assets, and may purchase and condemn land, issue and sell warrants, issue revenue bonds and employ counsel.

Why are you running for this position?’

Mildenstein: SARC outsiders like me need to be metropolitan park district (MPD) commissioners representing those who are not using SARC (90 percent of the district’s residents).

We cannot leave the SARC MPD board to the SARC insiders only who, as commissioners, have a vested interest in spending taxpayers’ money on themselves.

As a financial analyst, I will offer SARC financial expertise.

I will make SARC’s operation frugal with a balanced operating budget.

Pierce: I believe strongly in the community value of SARC, which serves a diverse range of the population, some of whom depend on the pool as their only form of exercise or rehabilitation.

Financially stabilizing SARC is important.

I posses broad business experience to accomplish this while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

Can you foresee raising the levy rate above 12 cents per $1,000?

Mildenstein: No, if SARC becomes frugal. That tax rate will bring in about $400,000 annually for SARC. Soon, this will just cover the cash deficit from SARC’s operation, not enough to pay for the $1.3 million in deferred maintenance and necessary upgrades to the facility.

However, my frugal SARC could save SARC without sacrifices by the taxpayers: volunteers to lower payroll, higher user fees, adjusted hours, fundraisers and naming rights.

Copy Shipley (senior) Center!

Pierce: I am committed to a charter that has been drafted to hold the line on the initial proposed levy of 12 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation and requires that any increase be approved by four of the five metropolitan park district {MPD] commissioners, then be submitted for voter approval.

Do you favor dissolving SARC and taking control of its assets?

Mildenstein: SARC will not be dissolved.

However, SARC Park and Recreation District (SARC PRD) will have to vote on transferring the ownership of the facility to the newly created SARC Metropolitan Park District.

The commissioners of the SARC MPD will then vote on whether to accept that offer.

As a SARC MPD commissioner, I will vote yes on the transfer and will work on making SARC frugal.

Pierce: The existing SARC board would have to make that decision.

I favor whatever proper legal way there is for the existing SARC board to transfer assets to the new MPD board.

Would you serve a full term in office?

Mildenstein: Yes. Pierce: Yes. Why should voters choose you over your opponent?

Mildenstein: I am happy to have Warren Pierce as my opponent.

We have spent hours discussing what is best for SARC, and I know he is well-meaning.

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Eckart Mildenstein

Warren Pierce

Residence: Sequim

Residence: Sequim

Phone: 360-681-0183

Phone: 630-992-5613

Email: EckartforFrugalSARC@gmail. com

Email: warrenforsarcmpd. gmail.com Campaign website: None

Campaign website: http://sequimstudio.net Age Aug. 4, Primary Day: 71 Education: High school; master’s degree in business administration and doctorate in finance, both from the University of Hamburg Occupation: Retired senior vice president at Brown Brothers Harriman, New York, N.Y. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? No

Age Aug. 4, Primary Day: 65 Education: Bachelor’s degree, Northern Illinois University Occupation: Retired senior vice president and chief information technology officer Have you ever run for or held elective public office? No

North Olympic Peninsula Voter

PENINSULA DAILY NEWS

Guide

FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION ENDING AUGUST 4, 2015

17

SARC Metropolitan Park District (provisional)

SARC commissioner, Position No. 3 Why are you running for this position?

Baker: I am a SARC outsider and view membership in SARC as a luxury, not a necessity.

I do not believe property owners, some of whom are already struggling to make ends meet, should subsidize those who choose to use SARC. I do not want SARC to become an MPD [metropolitan park district].

The existing taxing district is sufficient and keeps SARC in check by the voters, and they have already spoken by voting no to any tax levy.

Gruver: Because a significant proposition (No. 1) will be put to citizens for an August vote.

As-yet huge, long-term consequences have not been publicly debated by anyone.

No administering policy statements for [metropolitan park district] functions have been written.

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Position No. 1/

CONTINUED

However, Warren, a SARC pass-holder, wants to spend taxpayers’ money on his own recreational and aquatic hobbies.

Thus, Warren has a conflict of interest I do not have as a nonpass-holder.

Without such a conflict I, Eckart Mildenstein, am better able to represent all taxpayers of this district.

Pierce: I bring extensive leadership experience, business knowledge, fiscal responsibility, strategic planning skills and common sense values to the MPD commissioner’s position.

Gayle Baker

Paul Gruver

Dick Neal

Virginia O’Neil

Residence: Sequim

Phone: 360-681-7849

Residence: Sequim

Residence: Sequim

Phone: 360-683-3816

Residence: Sequim

Phone: 360-681-7996

Phone: 360-460-6692

Email: gayleforfrugalsarc@ gmail.com

Email: pgruverforMPD@ olypen.com

Email: r_lneal@yahoo.com

Email: brownhen@olypen. com

Campaign website: None Campaign website: None

Campaign website: None

Campaign website: None Age Aug. 4, Primary Day:

Age Aug. 4, Primary Day:

Age Aug. 4, Primary Day:

64

72

Education: Undergraduate degree, business administration

Education: Franklin – County High School, Rocky Mount, Va.; agricultural engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute; Navy flight school, Pensacola, Fla; engineering; technology and surveying, Peninsula College

Occupation: Retired project administrator, Kalaeloa Cogeneration Plant, Kapolei, Hawaii.

Have you ever run for or held elective public office?

No

Occupation: Following a 20 year career as a U.S. Coast Guard officer and helicopter pilot, I started and operated, for 18 years, SoilTech, a firm doing on-site wastewater systems design and inspection.

I retired after becoming somewhat disabled.

Have you ever run for or held elective public office?

No

76

Age Aug. 4, Primary Day: 54

Education: High school graduate, Kendallville, Ind.; bachelor’s degree industrial management, Purdue University; master’s degree, secondary education, Boston University; graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College and the Air War College Occupation: During my Air Force and civilian careers, my occupation was in human resource and ethics program management and public relations. I last retired from Battelle Memorial Institute as a human resource manager.

Have you ever run for or held elective public office?

No

Education: Bachelor’s degree with honors, Stanford University, 1983; New York University, 1987-89, multiple certifications in conflict resolution and mediation Occupation: For the past 17 years, president of Lekaks, a privately held commercial real estate holding company with buildings in Georgia and Texas.

Have you ever run for or held elective public office?

Yes. I was on the Sequim School Board from 2007-2013.

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FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION ENDING AUGUST 4, 2015

North Olympic Peninsula Voter

Guide

PENINSULA DAILY NEWS

SARC commissioner, Position No. 3/

SARC Board

CONTINUED

There are no defined rules to constrain the elected commissioners’ personal preferences.

I would first work to correct that.

What is wise to gamble in a desperate attempt to solve a single problem — 20 percent of SARC’s funding?

democratic process could have been better spent on marketing.

Gruver: I would like to respond fairly and equitably to SARC’s funding needs.

But there would also be opportunities to support many other community-initiated outdoor recreation activities.

For the length of my term I Neal: I believe previous SARC pledge never to support a levy of more than 18 cents per $1,000 boards have mismanaged assets covering all future metropolitan and facilities entrusted to them.

They have not operated SARC park district programs, and that increase only after specific voter as a business, establishing approval.. budgets that included depreciation and replacement of Neal: SARC is now operating assets and spending down reserves, and now require public in crisis mode.

The present board tells us support. that 12 cents is all that is I believe my experience and needed. education in leadership and I do not see going above that management positions in both amount. I would hope the 12-cent the Air Force and corporate and figure is high and recovery can not-for-profit business worlds be done for a smaller levy. have prepared me to make Eventually, I would like to see meaningful contributions as an the levy decrease to zero, and I MPD commissioner. think with effort and innovation, O’Neil: My strong background and over time, that is possible. with community engagement, O’Neil: I would only consider coupled with extensive business increasing the levy rate over 12 experience in strategic planning cents if it was done by a vote of and long-term financial the people. forecasting, would benefit the I have a great deal of faith in new Metro board.

SARC is an important part of the democratic process.

I know that when someone Sequim’s infrastructure, and explains the need in a succinct good governance, common sense and fiscal priorities are needed to and non-glossy way, the people secure SARC’s future as a gem in step up.

That has been my experience. the community.

Can you ever foresee increasing the levy rate above 12 cents per $1,000 of property valuation?

Do you favor dissolving SARC and taking control of its assets?

Baker: Yes

Baker: No! SARC has known for years it would face a shortfall come 2016 and yet did nothing to improve its financial position.

Nor did they implement a maintenance schedule that could have/should have prevented the rust and system failures they are now experiencing.

Its answer has always been, raise taxes.

The time and money Citizens for SARC has spent on lawyers and petitions to circumvent the

Gruver: Absolutely not. I oppose a SuperSARC/MPD assuming SARC’s current management duties.

I enjoy the pool at SARC. No-one wants any of that facility to close.

But I strongly oppose a SuperSARC/MPD assuming authority over other community recreation activities.

The obvious unfairness of such control is blatant..

Likewise, I appreciate our

existing parks.

But I would not support any MPD focusing on acquiring new parks.

That responsibility should remain with the city and county.

Neal: No, I do not. I am a longtime user of SARC and appreciate its importance in promoting good health and fitness.

It is a unique facility, an important community asset.

As such, it should be supported primarily by users, the city and the county.

Only as a last resort should taxpayers have to contribute.

Even then, every effort should be made to keep taxpayer support minimal.

O’Neil: Only the existing SARC board can make the decision concerning dissolution.

Once that decision is made, I do approve of an agreement between the existing board that transfers SARC’s assets to the new metropolitan park district.

The five new Metro commissioners would now have the responsibility of being the governing body of SARC. Would you serve a full term in office?

Baker: Yes Gruver: Depending on the number of votes a candidate receives in this first MPD election, he or she will gain a zero-, two-, four- or six-year term.

If elected, it is my intention to serve out my term as long as I can energetically and competently do so.

Instead, I would work with SARC to increase revenue and cut expenses.

Gruver: First, I oppose perpetual taxing and supervisory authority over community outdoor recreational interests being given to a SuperSARC/ MPD. Second, I would work toward an MPD that will focus on providing support for many community-initiated recreational activities.

This MPD would “own” no facilities nor start new programs on its own.

It would provide readily available support through public information, interviews and cooperation with the city and county through agreements, supplemental funding, routine facility maintenance, etc.

Neal: The MPD needs commissioners with leadership and management skills and abilities, a person with a vision of how successful SARC could be in the future and how to make that happen.

Both skills require formal learning and extensive practical experience.

My education and years of experience in different jobs, both military and private, combined with my experience in human resources and working with people, set me apart and make me uniquely qualified compared to my opponents.

O’Neil: I have been an active and involved community leader for over two decades in Sequim, and have built a reputation as a Neal: Yes I would, particularly creative problem-solver and team if I perceive I am making positive player.

No single individual can contributions to SARC’s recovery sustain positive and lasting and continuing operations. change, however.

There can be viable O’Neil: Yes transformation when creating solutions as a group.

Why should voters choose My service on multiple boards you over your opponents? has taught me that solving Baker: I am a SARC outsider community problems is more about listening than talking, and and will fight hard to prevent any increase in property taxes.

I promise to do that.

Commissioner, Position No. 4 Why are you running for this position?

Bemm: I have spent 43 years bringing recreation opportunities to communities and could not watch SARC struggle to keep its doors open without offering my professional experience.

By running for commissioner, I will have the most influence in facilitating change.

I have headed the operations of SARC-like facilities and recognize their impact on communities.

SARC is too valuable an asset to not fight for its continued presence.

Gruetzmacher: SARC is an important asset for the community. I want to lend my expertise in management and my sense of fiscal responsibility to the effort of keeping it viable.

As part of my logistics experience, I was a maintenance officer for military aircraft and am an advocate of preventive maintenance to avoid costly, major repairs.

SARC has to be placed on a firm financial basis to allow proper management.

Smith: A metropolitan park district should represent all of the community, neighborhood and regional sites that are specific to Sequim and the surrounding area.

These other parks and recreational sites are in real need of dollars to support routine maintenance and various improvements that are essential.

I am running because it will be important to elect commissioners who have a broader view and who will not be tempted to spend taxpayer dollars on SARC only.

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PENINSULA DAILY NEWS

North Olympic Peninsula Voter

Guide

FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION ENDING AUGUST 4, 2015

19

SARC commissioner, Position No. 4/

CONTINUED

Can you ever foresee increasing the levy rate above 12 cents per $1,000 of property valuation?

district board could make.

Gruetzmacher: No. I believe that SARC is a valuable facility for the health of our community.

Bemm: The first thing that It deserves the full attention needs to be accomplished by the of the commissioners. new metropolitan park district Partnerships, such as that board is to approve a charter with Olympic Medical Center to that sets the levy rate at 12 cents provide a local facility and per $1,000 of assessed value, coaching for people requiring requires four out of five votes by cardiac rehabilitation, make good the board to propose an increase sense. in the levy rate and requires that Dissolving SARC makes no any increase proposed by the sense. board be submitted to the voters for approval.

Smith: Yes, SARC must hand I support such a charter. over its assets to make the SARC Metropolitan Park District make Gruetzmacher: The 12 cents any sense. per $ 1,000 had been advocated without really showing how the Would you serve a full term number was arrived at. in office?

As a homeowner, I am very interested in keeping the tax Bemm: Yes, that is my burden to a minimum and intention. making SARC self-sufficient.

Until I have the opportunity Gruetzmacher: Yes, I would. to examine the details of the balance sheet, however, I couldn’t Smith: Yes. say whether 12 cents is too much or not enough.

Why should voters choose you over your opponents?

Smith: Yes. The 12-centsper-$1,000 was based on what Bemm: There is no one else information? running who has the practical The existing SARC has had no funding strategy that appears experience of operating, financing, programming and to have worked very well thus marketing a recreational facility far. like SARC that I do.

Chances of an increase are I am familiar with the state’s almost guaranteed. grant program, the Washington What happens then to the Recreation & Park Association’s other taxing districts like fire staff training and marketing districts?

Who experiences prorationing programs, and I will be an asset in helping staff develop policies due to excesses from the SARC and procedures that will guide MPD? them in providing a facility that best meets the needs of its Do you favor dissolving members and guests.

SARC and taking control of its assets?

Gruetzmacher: I have many Bemm: If the question is, do I years of management experience with personnel, budgets, and favor having the existing SARC structures that would benefit park district board transfer the assets of the existing SARC park SARC. Having been a member of district to the new metropolitan several fitness clubs allows me to park district, then I would make comparisons and focus on answer yes.

Dissolution of SARC would be those management practices that a decision only the existing park work.

Rich Bemm

Fritz Gruetzmacher

Susan Sparks Smith

Residence: Sequim

Residence: Sequim

Residence: Sequim

Phone: 360-749-6633

Phone: 360-681-0484

Phone: 360-791-0643

Email: richardbemm@ gmail.com

Email: fritzgru@yahoo.com

Email: susan.silverlady. smith9@gmail.com

Campaign website: None Campaign website: None

Campaign website: None Age Aug. 4, Primary Day:

Age Aug. 4, Primary Day:

75

68 Education: Bachelor’s degree, George Williams College, Chicago, IL; postgraduate courses in public administration, University of Illinois Occupation: Retired Longview parks and recreation director Have you ever run for or held elective public office?

No

As a small-business owner I was exposed to federal and state regulations and am well aware of the limitations they impose.

Smith: SARC sympathizers have a deep-rooted interest in

Age Aug. 4, Primary Day: 70

Education: Bachelor’s degree, general studies, major in political science, minor in economics, University of Nebraska, Omaha; master’s degree, executive development for public service. Ball State University; U,S. Army War College, Carlisle, Pa. Occupation: Retired business owner

Education: Nether Providence High School, Wallingford, Pa.; associate in applied science degree, Marymount Junior College; bachelor’s degree, organizational communication, California State University, Stanislaus, in Turlock, Calif.

Occupation: Retired, sales

Have you ever run for or held elective public office?

No

Have you ever run for or held elective public office?

No

keeping SARC operating, which would be to the detriment of other community facilities.

My approach is far broader and would consider all the entities that could benefit from being part of a more encom-

passing metropolitan park district.

I do not believe that my opponents feel that same as I do.

We need to be prudent with limited taxpayer dollars.

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North Olympic Peninsula Voter

FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION ENDING AUGUST 4, 2015

Guide

PENINSULA DAILY NEWS

SARC Metropolitan Park District (provisional)

SARC commissioner, Position No. 5 Why are you running for this position?

Anundson: The metropolitan park district [MPD] creates huge taxing power, up to 75 cents per $1,000 [of property valuation], with the vote of just three commissioners The MPD needs commissioners who represent all the taxpayers, including nonSARC users like me who will be subsidizing the users.

Further, SARC’s financial decline (2014 loss of $260,000, down from a 2010 surplus of $34,000) can’t continue.

I have the relevant experience and skills to help SARC increase revenues and avoid excessive spending.

McAleer: I have pored over SARC’s financials and believe that since the establishment of the 2014 fee structure, SARC has eked out as much income as possible from passes and fees.

Expenses still outpace income by 20 percent.

That 20 percent should be financed by the community.

Other communities provide between 35 percent and 50 percent public support to

their aquatic facilities.

We now need to ensure prudent and responsible sustainability.

I commit to deliver that.

Can you foresee raising the levy rate above 12 cents per $1,000 of property valuation?

Anundson: I’m not sure it needs be 12 cents now, but the current financial model has to change in order to make even that work beyond a few years.

My goal is to balance the operating cost with revenue as it was prior to 2011.

On the other hand, it wouldn’t surprise me if a few years out, other commissioners raise the tax amount.

Anundson: Yes. McAleer: Yes. Do you favor dissolving SARC and taking control of its assets?

Anundson: Yes McAleer: Any actions concerning dissolution must be made by the existing SARC board.

In technical terms, this procedure is rarely done because it is quite cumbersome, and generally districts are just allowed to go idle and never formally dissolved.

If the question is, do I favor an agreement for the existing board to sign a document that gives the new metropolitan park district board ownership or transfer of its assets, then the answer is yes.

McAleer: I do not envision increasing the levy rate beyond the proposed 12 cents per $1,000.

However, if the community sees the need for additional Why should voters choose services and is willing to pay for you over your opponents? it, I would approve an increase — but only if the voters approved Anundson: I will be a the increase. commissioner who represents the Would you serve a full term whole community, including the roughly 80 percent to 90 percent in office? who are not SARC users.

I have the experience and skills in corporate and community management to tackle SARC’s problems.

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McAleer: For the past 23 years, I have been involved with local government in the Dungeness Valley and have served in leadership roles on various community organizations.

Like most in our area, I am fiscally conservative and pledge to hold the line on the 12-cent assessment.

Bob Anundson

Mike McAleer

Residence: Sequim

Residence: Sequim

Phone: 360-582-1295

Phone: 360-477-0837

Email: sequimboy@gmail. com Campaign website: www. watchdogbob.org Age Aug. 4, Primary Day: 73 Education: Bachelor’s degree, mathematics, University of Oregon Occupation: Retired president of Infoviva Corp., which I founded.

Have you ever run for or held public office?

Appointed to Sequim City Council in 2007, lost in the subsequent election

Email: mcaleerforSARC@ olypen.com Campaign website: None Age Aug. 4, Primary Day: 77 Education: Sacred Heart High School, Waterloo, Iowa; bachelor’s degree, political science, University of Nebraska, Omaha; master’s degree, national resource strategy, Industrial College of the Armed Forces; graduate studies in international relations, Catholic University, Washington, D.C. Occupation: Retired real estate broker Have you ever run for or held elective public office? No