North Olympic Peninsula
VOTER GUIDE
for the general election ending November 4, 2014
Clallam County ❏ Jefferson County ❏ Washington state ❏ Congress Published as a public service by the
PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
2 FOR THE ELECTION ENDING NOVEMBER 4, 2014
North Olympic Peninsula
VOTER GUIDE
PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Introduction
Be sure to vote by 8 p.m. Nov. 4 HIS SPECIAL SECTION of the Peninsula Daily News, also available online at www. peninsuladailynews.com, provides voters with information about the Nov. 4 general election. It profiles the candidates for races in Clallam and Jefferson counties, and also discusses measures on the statewide, rural Port Angeles and Quilcene-area ballots. Ballots for the election were sent by the auditor’s offices of Clallam and Jefferson counties to registered voters in the various jurisdictions Oct. 15. Voting continues until 8 p.m. Nov. 4. Compilation of information, including the question-andanswer segments and the “About the Job” descriptions, is coordinated by PDN Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb. Photo and graphics services are by Staff Photojournalist Keith Thorpe. Section design and editing is done by
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Executive Editor Rex Wilson, with editing assistance from Publisher and Editor John Brewer and Copy Editor Allison McGee. Answers to questionnaires completed by all candidates — except those in the Clallam County charter review commissioner elections — were limited to 75 words per question and were edited for length, grammar and spelling. Races in which there is only one candidate are not profiled in this section. Neither are write-in candidates, who have until Oct. 17 to file for write-in status. On the North Olympic Peninsula, as in all of Washington state, all voting is done by mail. 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 Nov. 4 or dropped off by no later than 8 p.m. Nov. 4 at the following locations:
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 Nov. 4 ■ Clallam County election: Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth ■ Oct. 17: Final day for St., Port Angeles. A drive-up write-in candidates to file drop box is provided. with their county auditor’s ■ Sequim, ballot drop box office. in the Sequim Village ■ Oct. 27: Registration Shopping Center, 609 W. deadline for people not Washington St., near the city’s currently registered to vote in utility payment drop box in Washington who want to vote the J.C. Penney Co. parking in the Nov. 4 election. lot. Registration must be done in ■ Forks District Court person at the registrant’s lobby, 502 E. Division St., county auditor’s office in the Forks. respective county courthouse. ■ Nov. 4: General election Jefferson County ends at 8 p.m. ■ Nov. 25: Final day for ■ Jefferson County counties to certify election Courthouse, 1820 Jefferson St., Port Townsend. A drive-up results to the Secretary of State’s Office in Olympia. drop box is provided in the
Clallam County
■ Dec. 4: Final day for the secretary of state to certify November election results.
Got questions? Questions about Clallam County elections can be phoned to the County Auditor’s Office elections division at 360-417-2221 or toll-free at 866-433-8683 Mondays through Fridays. Voter registration information is available by phoning 360-417-2221 or tollfree at 866-433-8683 Mondays through Fridays. Questions about Jefferson County elections can be posed to the Auditor’s Office elections division at 360-385-9117 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 are unopposed in the Nov. 4 election The following offices and candidates are unopposed on the Nov. 4 ballot. Unless facing write-in candidates (who must file to declare their write-in candidacy by Oct. 17), these candidates are automatically elected. A candidate for a partisan office whose name is followed by (D) prefers the Democratic Party; (R) prefers the Republi-
can Party; (NP) indicates the candidate has no party preference or is independent.
Justice, Position 1
24th Legislative District
Court of Appeals
Representative, Position 1 Kevin Van De Wege (D)
Lisa L. Sutton
State Supreme Court Justice, Position 1 Mary Yu
Mary E. Fairhurst
Judge, Division 2, District 2
Clallam County Judge, Superior Court, Position 3 Christopher Melly
Judge, District Court 2 (Forks) John H. Doherty County Assessor Pamela Rushton County Sheriff Bill Benedict County Treasurer Selinda Barkhuis
Clallam County PUD Commissioner, District No. 2 Hugh Haffner
Jefferson County County Assessor Jeff Chapman (D) County Clerk Ruth Gordon (D) County Treasurer Stacie Prada Hoskins (D)
PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
North Olympic Peninsula
VOTER GUIDE
FOR THE ELECTION ENDING NOVEMBER 4, 2014
U.S. House of Representatives
Member of Congress, 6th District How aggressively would you address climate change? Kilmer: There’s a moral and economic imperative to solve the problem of climate change. It’s a threat to shellfish growers concerned about ocean chemistry, timber industry workers worried about fires and coastal tribes facing potential relocation. I support moving away from fossil fuels toward cleaner energy sources, creating market-based mechanisms to limit carbon emissions, enhancing our electrical grid and improving efficiency in buildings and automobiles. Taking action can help our environment and grow our economy. McClendon: Very aggressively. The current approach of “regulate everything and penalize everyone” will further drive American jobs overseas without solving the problem. We need a long-range strategy with short-term goals that engages the free-enterprise system with rewards for solving our most pressing problems. Once we have solutions, a program featuring adoption incentives and enforcement penalties can be applied. Solutions to climate change should originate here in America and increase living-wage jobs. What would you do to address gridlock in Congress? Kilmer: It’s time for more progress and less partisan bickering. Working in economic development and serving in the Legislature, I’ve got a strong record of joining with others to solve problems. In Congress, I’m a part of the Bipartisan Working Group, a coalition of Republicans and
It is a vital resource. Managed forestry is smart forestry, with fewer forest fires, better tourism and preservation of habitat. I support increased logging, required replanting, scheduled pre-commercial thinning and incentives to rebuild local converting mills that restore livingMcClendon: Tell the truth. wage jobs. Gridlock happens when people The additional taxes would have hidden agendas improve funding for schools and By always telling the truth, I essential services. will assemble coalitions of congressional leaders who place Is the Affordable Care Act, America’s future above personal also known as “Obamacare,” gain. working to your satisfaction? This coalition can tackle any problem facing America. Kilmer: There are parts I like I also will engage our 6th Dis- and parts that need improvetrict communities and bring their ment. It has lowered costs for very best ideas back to Congress. seniors by closing the prescripAlso, I will pray and ask the tion drug doughnut hole, ensured 6th District to pray for breakfolks with pre-existing conditions through solutions and humble get coverage, allowed young leaders who know how to achieve adults to stay on their parents’ consensus. plans until their 26th birthday and provided life-saving prevenDo you support increased tive care. or decreased logging in OlymStill, more should be done to pic National Forest? reduce costs, help small businesses and support rural providers. The focus should be on findKilmer: While growing up in ing bipartisan ways to fix the Port Angeles, I saw friends and law. neighbors take it on the chin when the timber industry took a McClendon: No. Its stated downturn. goal was to bring 30 million I reject the notion that we uninsured onto insurance rolls, must choose between economic lower health care costs and guargrowth and environmental proantee that people could retain tection. We can increase harvest levels their existing coverage. Instead, about 6 million insurresponsibly — and I support ance plans were terminated. that. Nearly 2 million jobs have In fact, I’ve brought together a been lost, and more will vanish collaborative effort of industry and environmental leaders to fig- when ACA implements its ure out the best way to responsi- employer mandate. The federal government has bly increase timber harvests on been running Veterans Affairs as our federal forests. a single-payer system, and it is a disaster. McClendon: The Olympic Why not restore a health care National Forest should be system that works? returned to Washington state for management. PLEASE TURN TO NEXT PAGE Democrats collaborating to break through the gridlock. Nearly every major bill I’ve introduced has bipartisan cosponsorship. I’m supported by Democrats, Republicans and independents because I work across the aisle.
Derek Kilmer (D)
Marty McClendon (R)
Residence: Gig Harbor
Residence: Gig Harbor
Phone: 253-572-4355
Phone: 253-283-6044
Email: Info@DerekKilmer. com Campaign website: www. DerekKilmer.com Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 40 Education: Bachelor’s degree, public policy; Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, certificate in American studies, both Princeton University, Princeton, N.J.; Ph.D., social policy, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom. Occupation: Representative, U.S. House of Representatives. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? U.S. representative, 2013-present; Washington state senator, 26th District, 2007-2012; Washington state representative, 26th District, 2005-2006.
Email: Mcclendon4congress@gmail. com Campaign website: www. McClendonforCongress.com Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 47 Education: Studied medical technology at the University of Washington; Washington state real estate broker’s license. Occupation: Selfemployed real estate managing broker, Morrison House Sotheby’s International Realty, Gig Harbor. Have you ever run for or held elective office? I campaigned for the state Senate (26th Legislative District) in 2010.
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4 FOR THE ELECTION ENDING NOVEMBER 4, 2014
North Olympic Peninsula
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Washington Legislature
State representative, 24th District How should spending on education be increased to comply with the state Supreme Court’s 2012 McCleary ruling?
be cut to move money into education. That’s what the Legislature needs to do. It doesn’t need to raise taxes.
Greisamer: Bureaucrats think the only way to satisfy McCleary is to raise taxes. One told me they need $6.7 billion in new taxes to satisfy the court. I do not agree. The spirit of McCleary is that the Legislature needs to prioritize spending to fund K-12 education. The state budget has many nonessential programs that could
Tharinger: An additional $1 billion in ongoing funding is needed per year to fund McCleary. If the other Washington would pass the Main Street Fairness Act, closing sales tax exemptions for online sales, Washington state would realize a $450 million annual increase in revenue, also helping our local stores. Other options: a levy swap,
where the state absorbs local property taxes; enacting an excise tax on capital gains or expanding the sales tax on a broader range of consumer services. Would you favor changing anything about the state’s new marijuana law? Greisamer: The unintended consequences of legalized marijuana are future liabilities. Illegal cannabis use will impair teenagers and diminish their future. PLEASE
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Member of Congress, 6th District/continued How would you be a more effective congressman than your opponent? Kilmer: I’m working to bring values I learned in Port Angeles to Congress. ■ A focus on progress — not partisanship. ■ Leading by example. When the government shut down and workers in our region didn’t get paid, I returned my own salary. ■ A focus on jobs. I worked a decade in economic development. That experience helped me introduce the Olympic Peninsula Economic Development Initiative. I was named “Champion of Main Street” for my smallbusiness efforts. McClendon: Personal leadership. My opponent seeks to implement his party’s platform, and his campaign coffers reflect obligations to serve many special interests in upcoming votes. I am not beholden to any special interests.
About the job U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 6TH DISTRICT Partisan or nonpartisan: Partisan Election boundaries: Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor, Mason, Kitsap and Thurston counties, and part of Tacoma in Pierce County Voters: 405,874 voters as of Sept. 18, including 46,628 in Clallam County and 22,735 in Jefferson County Term: Two years Salary: $174,000 House members can deduct, for income tax purposes, living expenses of up to $3,000 per year incurred while away from their congressional districts or home states. Duties: The 435 members of the House draft bills and vote to enact federal laws. All congressional spending bills are initiated in the House. House members elect the president if the Electoral College is deadlocked.
I know firsthand the struggles personal resolve to find creative that American families are facing solutions that cross party and ideological lines. and have demonstrated the
Thomas W. Greisamer (R)
Steve Tharinger (D) Residence: Sequim
City or community of residence: Moclips
Phone: 360-683-6480
Phone: 360-276-0565
Email: stharinger@gmail. com
Email: DOCTWG@ centurylink.net Campaign website: www. DocTom4Leg.com Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 73 Education: Bachelor’s degree, economics, Golden Gate University, San Francisco; doctor of medicine, American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Montserrat; board certification in psychiatry, post-doctorate, University of Kansas, Wichita, Kan. Current occupation and employer: Retired psychiatrist, Washington State Department of Corrections Have you ever run for or held elective public office? No.
Campaign website: facebook.com/stevetharinger Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 65 Education: Bachelor’s degree, political science, Colorado College, 1971 Occupation: State representative Have you ever run for or held elective public office? I was a Clallam County commissioner for three terms. I have been in the Washington state Legislature for two terms.
North Olympic Peninsula
PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
VOTER GUIDE
FOR THE ELECTION ENDING NOVEMBER 4, 2014
5
State representative, 24th District
/continued
Tax revenue intended for education will be diverted to the general fund and not be used as originally intended. But this is now the law of the state. So, in my opinion, we should tightly regulate the use, sales and distribution to keep pot away from our kids. Tharinger: I-502 points out the challenges with the initiative process. The voters approved legalizing marijuana but were vague on the actual implementation. It will take some time for us as a state to work through the challenges of normalizing medical and adult use of marijuana, bringing the licensing, distribution and taxing structures in sync. Should background checks be conducted for all gun purchases? Greisamer: I am opposed to I-594 and have reservations about I-591. Background checks are already required for the vast majority of all gun purchases. I-594 would simply create another vast government bureaucracy. As we know, background checks do not stop bad people from getting guns for nefarious purposes.
About the job STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 24th DISTRICT, POSITION 2 Partisan or nonpartisan: Partisan Election boundaries: The 24th District includes Clallam and Jefferson counties and the northern half of Grays Harbor County, including Hoquiam, Montesano and Ocean Shores but not Aberdeen. Voters: 88,803 as of Sept. 18, including 46,628 in Clallam County and 22,735 in Jefferson County Term: Two years Meetings: The legislative session is 60 days in even-numbered years and 105 days in odd-numbered years. Salary: $42,106, and a per diem of $120 a day while the Legislature is in session Duties: House members draft bills, vote on state laws, address constituents’ complaints and concerns, and participate on legislative and regional committees. They approve a state general fund budget that in 2013-2015 is $32 billion.
It is clear that gun violence has more to do with how we deal with mental health issues than how we regulate gun sales. Tharinger: I do not think there needs to be background checks on family gifts, antique
guns for collectors and for someone who has gone through an extensive background check for a concealed weapons permit. The data are clear that background checks on gun shows and Internet sales save lives. Supporters of the Second
Amendment, which I am, and responsible gun owners support background checks.
ket because of our forests.
How would you be a more effective legislator than your How aggressively would you opponent? address climate change? Greisamer: I would represent Greisamer: We all want a residents and businesses of the clean, healthy environment and to Olympic Peninsula, not the taxbe good stewards of Washington’s and-spend liberals of Seattle. natural resources. Most of my opponent’s top conHowever, the environment is tributors were from outside the more resilient than political parti- 24th District as of Aug. 15. sans admit. His brand of “experience” is By misrepresenting scientific not a substitute for innovation data, they create a false sense of that will bring jobs and a stronger alarm, and with regulations, our economy to the 24th District. I economy is being sacrificed. would work to promote urgency in Climate change has been the permitting process and diminoccurring for billions of years. ish the government assault on It has nothing to do with CO2 business taxes and property but with power and control for rights. bureaucrats, not the good of the Earth or mankind. Tharinger: The science clearly shows global warming is happening and man-made emissions are a major cause; the sooner we work to limit our emissions, the better. The Governor’s Task Force on Carbon Emissions Reduction will be making recommendations to the Legislature this session emphasizing market forces as a way to reduce greenhouse gases. I support using market forces to reduce greenhouse gases. The Peninsula could benefit from a carbon sequestration mar-
Tharinger: Whether it’s the economy, education, health care or the environment, my experience as a county commissioner and now in the Legislature sets me apart. I have developed effective relationships in Olympia to accomplish improvements in health care reimbursement rates, capital investments in our communities and government efficiencies. I would be honored to have your vote so I can continue to partner with you to ensure we have strong communities to help our families thrive.
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North Olympic Peninsula
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PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Clallam County
County commissioner, District No. 3 to legalize recreational use of marijuana. The people’s vote must be honored. The selection of a cultivation site causes public concern if the Bruch: The trash that is site is not zoned for industry. currently being moved came from I support the current process both city and county customers. whereby applications that do not The current cost of addressing use industrially zoned property the city’s landfill problem is are subject to a conditional-use being financed by higher rates at permit. the transfer station. If the applicant cannot satisfy This allows both city and the concerns of their neighbors, county users to help pay for this. they can change the plans or I believe that the county select a new site. should help the city find additional funds, such as grants, What can the county do to or advocate to the Legislature to increase revenue and help defray the cost. maintain services? To what extent should the county help Port Angeles address the city’s landfill problems?
Peach: The county should support the city’s efforts to find funding for the landfill issue. Although the county treasurer has questioned whether the county should consider a loan, I believe this alternative should be explored further. What are your views on regulating the cultivation, production and sale of licensed recreational marijuana? Bruch: The voters of Washington have approved the sale of recreational marijuana. The county now needs to find ways to accommodate this new land use into our comprehensive plan. I believe that the cultivation and production of marijuana should be done in land zoned light industrial so that the huge buildings and security fences that these operations need do not affect our residential or rural areas. Sales should be located away from schools and youth-oriented activities. Peach: The people have voted
Bruch: Increased county revenue should come from economic growth, not increased taxes. The county has an excellent record of balancing the budget while maintaining services without going into debt. As the county comes slowly out of the current Depression, it will gain revenue from increased property taxes from new residents and permits and fees. Since the budget has been trimmed for the last five years, it would be difficult to make additional reductions without losing services. Peach: Support economic development and decrease the cost of county government until the economy improves. The county can increase revenue through the success of businesses that provide employment, especially familywage jobs. I will not advocate an increase in taxes without an improvement in our economy. The county commissioners have authority to ask the public
to vote on a tax increase, and I support this approach. What would be your top accomplishment after four years in office? Bruch: My top accomplishment will be to have gotten countywide input in setting a vision for our county that encourages economic growth and protects our outstanding resources. This includes helping our cities with their efforts to attract new businesses; comprehensive planning; finding ways for all cities, towns and the county to collaborate on services such as trash and sewage sludge; and ensuring that our county’s infrastructure is maintained and updated.
Sissi Bruch (D) Residence: Port Angeles
Residence: Forks
Phone: 360-461-4749
Phone: 360-327-3695
Email: sissi@votesissi.com
Peach: Recognition that Clallam County is businessfriendly. This results in a decrease in unemployment, an increase in average family income, respect for private property rights, acceptable tax rates and, most importantly, confidence in county government to care for people and our environment. I am confident that these accomplishments are attainable.
Campaign website: www. votesissi.com
How would you be a more effective county commissioner than your opponent?
Occupation: Senior planner, Lower Elwha Klallam tribe
Bruch: My employment record, unlike my opponent’s, highlights my ability to effectively and creatively solve problems while being valued by my employers. As a member of the Port Angeles City Council, I have a solid understanding of our region’s operations.
Have you ever held or run for elective public office, and if so, what? I am currently a member of the Port Angeles City Council, elected in 2011.
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Bill Peach (R)
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 54 Education: Bachelor’s degree, psychology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; master’s degree, landscape architecture, Louisiana State University; Ph.D., urban planning-geography, Michigan State University
Email: Graywolf7167@ gmail.com Campaign website: www. billpeach.org Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 59 Education: Bachelor’s degrees, civil engineering, forest engineering; master’s degree, business administration Occupation: Retired. Previously the executive director for the Quileute tribe. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? I am currently a Quillayute Valley Parks and Recreation District commissioner and ran for District 3 Clallam County commissioner in 2010.
North Olympic Peninsula
PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
VOTER GUIDE
Clallam County
About the job
County auditor
CLALLAM COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 3 Partisan or nonpartisan: Partisan Election boundaries: Countywide Voters: 46,591 as of Sept. 24 Term: Four years Meetings: Work sessions every Monday; regular meetings every Tuesday Salary: $67,189 for 2015 if county commissioners do not change elected officials’ salaries for the 2015 budget, and a $60-a-month car allowance. Duties: Commissioners pass a general fund budget that in 2014 is $32.4 million and which covers 364 full-time-equivalent positions, set a tax levy, approve county ordinances, approve the hiring of all employees and all terminations except for charter-exempt positions, serve on regional and statewide boards, and serve on the county Board of Health, which meets monthly.
Clallam Commissioner, District No. 3/continued I will continue to focus on creating a wide range of job opportunities, to thoroughly research issues before making decisions and to seek collaboration between all cities and towns to help create efficiencies in services. Peach: I have lived in Clallam County for 31 years, and I am committed to improving our economy.
I am a past president of the Clallam County Economic Development Council and currently serve as the president of the Forks Chamber of Commerce. My opponent moved to Port Angeles a few years ago. She voted against Nippon’s bio-energy permit. Nippon provides more than 200 familywage jobs.
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What qualities make a good county auditor? Riggs: Organizational skills, a strong work ethic and the ability to work well with the public immediately come to mind. This is, after all, the office with which more citizens interact than any other in the courthouse. The auditor must also have a highly developed sense of responsibility to ensure the best use of public funds, and she must have above-average communications skills. Yacklin: First and foremost, being dedicated to serving all Clallam County citizens equally and with outstanding leadership, accountability, transparency and with their best interest in mind. As auditor, you must have integrity, excellent management and technical skills, the ability to be an effective communicator, strong decision-making skills, the ability to see the big picture for short-term and long-term planning, knowledge of local, state and federal regulations, and be solution-oriented. What is the county auditor’s most important role? Riggs: Among other things, the auditor is the chief financial officer for Clallam County and is ex-officio supervisor for all federal, state and local elections. But perhaps the most important role of the county auditor is tending to the public’s needs and doing so by way of professionalism, accountability and efficiency. PLEASE
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Shoona Riggs
Kim Yacklin
Residence: Port Angeles
Residence: Port Angeles
Phone: 360-808-5999
Phone: 360-461-7267
Email: shoonariggs@ gmail.com
Email: kimforauditor@ gmail.com
Campaign website: www. shoonariggsforauditor.com
Campaign website: www. kimforauditor.com
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 41
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 50
Education: Two years, Peninsula College; Washington state certified election administrator since 1999, certified vehicle/vessel licensing agent, certified passport acceptance agent.
Education: Attended South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia and Peninsula College for general studies.
Occupation: Clallam County chief deputy auditor and elections supervisor in the Auditor’s Office. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? No.
Occupation: Administrative coordinator (manager), Clallam County Department of Health and Human Services. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? No.
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8 FOR THE ELECTION ENDING NOVEMBER 4, 2014
North Olympic Peninsula
VOTER GUIDE
Clallam County auditor
Clallam County
/continued
Yacklin: There are several. However, the most important roles are being a good steward of the people’s money by ensuring that the county departments are spending public funds in a responsible and lawful manner and ensuring the integrity of our elections by making every vote count. What changes would you make to how the Auditor’s Office is run?
About the job CLALLAM COUNTY AUDITOR Partisan or nonpartisan: Nonpartisan Election boundaries: Countywide Voters: 46,591 as of Sept. 24 Term: Four years Salary: $70,590 for 2015 if county commissioners do not change elected officials’ salaries for the 2015 budget
Riggs: I would like the Washington State Voters’ Pamphlet to Duties: The auditor is responsible for submitting, for include local candidates and approval by county commissioners, a general fund budget that in 2014 is $1.1 million and which covers 12.38 full-timemeasures. equivalent positions. It’s affordable now because The auditor records real property documents such as we’ve saved money in other deeds, land transfers and community property agreements; areas. processes vehicle and vessel licenses for the state DepartLast April, I created “Adminment of Licensing; oversees the county elections division; istrative Rules for an Online audits county expenditures; issues and records marriage Voters’ Guide,” which was licenses; processes passports and issues business licenses. adopted by the county canvassing board. I would like to amend those rules to include a printed guide offices, serving in positions rangturnout in Clallam County. beginning next year. I will also implement a qual- ing from clerk to chief deputy I would also like to look into ity improvement process within and elections supervisor. opening a vehicle/vessel-licensI have a thorough knowledge the Auditor’s Office to ensure we ing subagency in Port Angeles. of the office and all of the perare providing services in the sonnel. Yacklin: My initial goals are most efficient and cost-effective manner possible. I know how to run this office. to be more transparent to the citizens by placing the weekly With three longtime employHow would you be a more expenditures of all departments ees retiring soon, a major reoron the county’s website. effective county auditor than ganization will be necessary. I will be proactive within all your opponent? I am the only candidate for of our local communities to prothis job who can bring about a vide voter education and outRiggs: I have 24 years of smooth transition with a minireach in order to increase voter experience in two auditor’s mum of disruption.
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Yacklin: I will apply my 30 years of state and local government work experience, which includes more than 23 years of managing staff, overseeing government accounting systems and coordinating various administrative functions. I have extensive knowledge of policies, procedures and regulations, and will bring a fresh approach to running the office. I have a strong commitment to serving all citizens of Clallam County with experience, integrity and leadership to implement positive change.
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Director of community development Should the DCD director position continue to be an elected position or return to being appointed? Roark Miller: Unhappy with the appointed director, in 2002, Clallam County citizens voted to elect their community development director, the only one in the nation. On the ballot again in 2006, for a second time, the voters flexed their electoral muscle, affirming their position. I became the third elected director, having won primary and general elections in 2010, beating four others, including my boss [John Miller, no relation]. Not paying an appointed wage saves the taxpayers about $20,000 a year. Winborn: It is up to the voters. I qualify for, and want to be, DCD director whether it is elected or appointed. All other counties appoint to ensure a solid baseline of competency. Zoning, permitting and land use affect everyone, so it is critical that the director be effective. With 22 years as a building, development and planning specialist, I have the practical experience to see the big picture and get the job done right. What are your views on regulating the cultivation, production and sale of licensed recreational marijuana?
Sheila Roark Miller Mary Ellen Winborn Candidates’ biographies, About the Job outline on next page. Roark Miller: Keeping the vote of the citizens who supported I-502 in mind, I’m everresourceful. This requires balancing a social, economic and openminded viewpoint of a younger culture blossoming into the stateregulated marijuana business while listening to the needs of a primarily retired culture that has moved into the Dungeness Valley. The hearing examiner conditional-use process is our venue until the Board of County Commissioners decides on a more permanent solution to legalized recreational marijuana. Winborn: The marijuana industry can thrive and provide jobs right here in Clallam County. The state regulates marijuana, but counties regulate zoning. Zoning should ensure that cultivation, production and sales support both public and business interests. Zoning and the public comment process should have been in place long ago. PLEASE
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North Olympic Peninsula
VOTER GUIDE
FOR THE ELECTION ENDING NOVEMBER 4, 2014
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Clallam County community development director
/continued
As director, I will be a leader who supports zoning that encourages a high quality of life, economic development and jobs for all citizens of Clallam County. Do you support the Dungeness Water Rule?
Sheila Roark Miller
Roark Miller: The Department of Ecology (DOE) created a rule meant to establish senior water rights for property owners who put to “beneficial use” well water. DOE contracted with a third party to run this water bank,
Mary Ellen Winborn
Residence: Sequim
Residence: Port Angeles
Phone: 360-460-0241
Phone: 360-417-2068
Email: ElectSheila@ olypen.com
Email: winborndcd@ olypen.com
Campaign website: www.ElectRoarkMiller.com
Campaign website: www. winborn4dcd.com
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 56
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 54
Education: Associate degree, 2006, Peninsula College; National Fire Academy, 1997, 2004; certified fire and building code official; Washington-accredited code official.
Education: Bachelor of Architecture, Mississippi State University, 1991; Washington State Architectural License No. 7000; certificate, postearthquake safety evaluation; certificate, rapid visual screening of buildings.
Occupation: Clallam County community development director. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? Clallam County community development director, elected in 2010.
Occupation: President and owner, Winborn Architects, Port Angeles, 18 years. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? No.
hoping to establish funding programs to replenish “wet water” back into the higher elevations near the Dungeness River during fish spawning periods. Irrigation districts immediately reduced water withdrawals during critical low-flow periods. They championed efforts that fell on deaf ears. Winborn: The Dungeness Water Rule is overseen by the Washington Department of Ecology, not the Department of Community Development. The rule impacts development and, correctly utilized with the comprehensive plan, can offer solutions. There is a $100,000 [Department of] Ecology grant currently appropriated for a feasibility study to determine the actual issues in the upper Dungeness Valley. Once the study is complete and we have “real” data, we can then establish real solutions. What is more important: enforcing land-use laws or processing permits? Roark Miller: Both. It’s a matter of balance. The county budget relies on new construction and property and sales taxes as fuel for our economic engine. Supporting this industry, our department issues land-use and building permits, only available online since 2012. Having lost 10 full-time-equivalent positions since 2010, our department prioritizes complaints and conducts investigations based on Clallam County Code 20.08.050 (ranging from imminent threats to high risk to public resources, to critical-area violations). Winborn: One is not more important than the other. Land-use issues should be resolved before permits are processed. Recent problems and confusion could have been avoided for marijuana businesses
About the job CLALLAM COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Partisan or nonpartisan: Nonpartisan Election boundaries: Countywide Voters: 46,591 as of Sept. 24 Term: Four years Salary: $77,919 if incumbent Sheila Roark Miller is reelected, $70,590 if challenger Mary Ellen Winborn is elected, if county commissioners do not change elected officials’ salaries for the 2015 budget. Duties: The only elected community development director in the nation is responsible for submitting, for approval by county commissioners, a general fund budget that in 2014 is $2.2 million and that pays the salaries of 18 full-time-equivalent positions. The current director also serves as county building official and fire marshal. The director advises county commissioners on and administers laws related to the environment, land-use permits, land and shoreline development, natural resources, zoning, land division, building and fire codes, watershed planning and mining and agriculture land-use issues. “It is the intent that the director have the administrative and managerial rights and responsibilities common to elected officers,” according to the county charter.
by recommending appropriate zoning standards long ago. Land use is at the core of sound economic development. If done right, the county flourishes. If wrong, as now, it can take many years and much money to correct ill-informed decisions. Permits should be processed quickly and accurately. How would you be a more effective DCD director than your opponent? Roark Miller: Motivating staff without a union contract after laying off five positions in the first year to achieve a balanced budget has weighed heavily on us. Meanwhile, electronic software tracks and supports our target goals while being transparent online.
Effectively outreaching to business and agency leaders. I expect hard work and lead by example, serving 24 years in DCD with 100 years of family ties. I’m the only candidate who’s worked both sides of the counter. Winborn: As a professional architect, I am held to a high standard through regulatory and administrative codes by the state of Washington. I will bring this same professionalism to the DCD. I deal with the legal aspects of development and construction daily. I know the difference between right and wrong and will strive to keep the county out of trouble by anticipating and preventing problems before they become legal issues. I will treat everyone fairly.
10 FOR THE ELECTION ENDING NOVEMBER 4, 2014
North Olympic Peninsula
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PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Clallam County
Prosecuting attorney and coroner Third, applying for grants that may be used to fund additional staff positions at little Nichols: I would consider an to no cost to county taxpayers. appropriate and fair plea-bargain Fourth, as a last resort, in every case. discontinuing non-mandated However, the decision to functions to reduce workloads extend a plea offer must follow and directing staff to focus on constitutional-statutory mandated functions only. provisions and involve consultations with victims and Payne: I made a commitment law enforcement. to county commissioners and the The public interest must be public to run the office within the driving motivation in plea budget. negotiations. I have done so and hired an While the constraints of additional felony prosecutor. I limited resources may be also carry a civil and criminal considered, justice and caseload. community safety are the I plan to shift appellate duties overriding, ultimate goals. out of office and use the savings I will not permit pleas to hire an additional legal incompatible with these basic assistant. principles. I also will stop contracting with outside attorneys to perform Payne: Plea-bargaining is a work for the county, thereby necessary component of our saving county tax dollars. justice system, and without plea negotiations, the system, as Should prosecuting expensive as it is, would be out of attorneys be coroners, too? control. What is appropriate to Nichols: No. Coroner duties consider in plea-bargaining is the often require medical training crime, the defendant’s criminal legal practitioners generally do history and impact on a victim. I would continue the effective not possess. However, the law permits system we currently have in prosecutors to discharge the place in negotiating cases to a duties of a county-elected coroner. fair and just resolution to hold While this model often proves offenders accountable for their to be inefficient, it can be less bad acts. expensive than having an elected How would you address the coroner system. Ultimately, I believe having staffing shortage in the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office? the prosecutor discharge coroner duties is an acceptable practice so long as the responsibilities are Nichols: First, applying my reasonably discharged and office decade of prosecutorial experience to develop time-saving personnel receive requisite and ongoing training. protocols designed to maintain current service levels and Payne: Yes. RCW 36.16.030 maximize efficiencies within the provides that in counties office. the size of Clallam, the county Second, hiring employees legislative authority may sincerely committed to public maintain the prosecutor service. How much would you use plea-bargaining?
as the ex-officio coroner. Our county charter maintains the prosecutor as the “ex-officio” coroner without extra compensation. This duty is performed by deputy coroners appointed by the prosecutor. The staff of the prosecutor’s office performs the administrative duties. This system has been in place for many years and is working effectively. What would be your top accomplishment after four years in office? Nichols: To have earned the trust of the people and be respected for my focus on safety, justice and service. I would accomplish this goal by stabilizing the office workforce, streamlining office operations, aggressively prosecuting repeat offenders and crimes that pose a threat to community safety, remedying injustices and inefficiencies in our criminal justice system and educating the public about the work of the office. I possess the requisite skills and abilities to accomplish this goal. Payne: Rebuilding the prosecutor’s office’s relationship with law enforcement and the citizens of the county. I have already been successful in working to rebuild those relationships, reducing the backlog of criminal referrals, civil cases and civil-forfeiture cases that have been sitting stagnant in the office, some for many years. We have been effective in a few short months in reducing the pending cases. PLEASE
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Mark Nichols (R)
William Payne (R)
Residence: Port Angeles
Residence: Sequim
Phone: 360-461-7525
Phone: 360-912-4044
Email: mark@ nicholsforprosecutor.com
Email: vote@ williampayne.org
Campaign website: http://nicholsforprosecutor. com
Campaign website: www. williampayne.org
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 42 Education: Bachelor’s degree, University of Washington; law degree, Seattle University School of Law; law enforcement certification, Skagit Valley College; emergency medical technician (EMT) certification, Eastern New Mexico University. Occupation: Clallam County land-use hearing examiner (a quasi-judicial officer). Have you ever run for or held elective public office? I am currently a precinct committee officer, Clallam County Republican Party.
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 57 Education: Bachelor’s degree, Master of Business Administration, Wayland Baptist University, Plainview, Texas; law degree, University of Wyoming College of Law. Occupation: Clallam County prosecuting attorney Have you ever run for or held elective public office? Yes, ran for Clallam County Superior Court judge.
North Olympic Peninsula
PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
VOTER GUIDE
FOR THE ELECTION ENDING NOVEMBER 4, 2014
11
Clallam County
About the job
Judge, District Court 1
CLALLAM COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY AND CORONER Partisan or nonpartisan: Partisan Election boundaries: Countywide Voters: 46,591 as of Sept. 24 What, if anything, would you change about the pay-orappear program?
Term: Four years Salary: $129,579 for 2015 Duties: The prosecuting attorney is responsible for submitting, for approval by county commissioners a general fund budget that in 2014 is $2 million and that covers 18 full-time-equivalent positions. The person also acts as legal adviser to county commissioners and department heads and all other county officials, precinct officers and county school board members, and the prosecuting attorney represents the county and school districts in criminal and civil proceedings.
Clallam prosecuting attorney-coroner/continued How would you be a more effective prosecuting attorney than your opponent? Nichols: For 15 years, I have worked with criminal justice issues — approximately five years as a law enforcement officer, followed by 10 years of prosecutorial experience. I have served two different prosecutor administrations, learning what does and does not advance safety, justice and service. I have successfully prosecuted adult and juvenile offenders while developing detailed understandings of the office’s civil function and the county’s legal needs.
I can immediately get to work and effect positive change. Payne: As the incumbent prosecuting attorney, I have the civil and criminal legal experience, management and leadership skills the position requires. I have already made changes to the office that have saved the county tax dollars and enhanced public safety, such as carrying a criminal caseload, charging possession of controlled substances and burglary crimes that were not being prosecuted under my opponent’s management of the office. I ended that policy upon taking office.
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Marshall: I would eliminate the pay-or-appear program. The current program costs the taxpayers exorbitant amounts of money to incarcerate people for not paying fines and is considered an unconstitutional debtor’s prison. It preys on the poor and keeps the revolving doors of the criminal justice system swinging well beyond their original sentences. There are better ways to exact justice and recoup fines, such as community service. Porter: While on pay-orappear, offenders can either pay their fines, do 10 hours’ community service or simply appear in court once a month. Nobody gets arrested because they can’t pay their fines. The program holds offenders accountable, generates a surplus every year far exceeding any costs and encourages offenders to get a GED. The ACLU recommended no substantive changes, concluding: “Judge Porter is committed to administering the program in a way that is fair. . . .” How important is the Clallam County Bar Association poll in assessing candidates for this position? Marshall: The CCBA poll is important because it reflects the opinions of lawyers who have observed both candidates in their respective roles. The poll asks members of the bar to rate the candidates in three categories: judgment/objectivity, demeanor/temperament and competence/experience/legal ability. PLEASE
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Cathy Marshall
Rick Porter
Residence: Sequim
Residence: Port Angeles
Phone: 360-808-8588
Phone: 360-452-2532
Email: electcathymarshall@gmail. com
Email: rdporter@ olypen.com
Campaign website: www. electcathymarshall.com
Campaign website: http://www. reelectjudgeporter.com
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 60
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 55
Education: Bachelor’s degree, mass communications, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, 1990; law degree, J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, 1993; Utah State Bar, 1993; Washington State Bar, 1996.
Education: Bachelor’s degree, University of Oregon, 1984; law degree, University of Puget Sound, 1989; Washington Judicial College, 2003; completed United States Air Force War College in 2008.
Occupation: Assistant state attorney general and manager of the Port Angeles Regional Services Office for the Washington state attorney general. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? No.
Occupation: Clallam County District Court 1 judge. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? I have been the elected District Court 1 judge since January 2003.
12 FOR THE ELECTION ENDING NOVEMBER 4, 2014
North Olympic Peninsula
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PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Clallam County District Court 1 judge
/continued
The CCBA, a respected and dedicated organization of local lawyers that coordinates continuing education courses, provides scholarships and participates in pro bono work, has conducted these polls for more than three decades. Porter: Another independent poll of local lawyers and the Washington Women Lawyers Association both found my opponent “not qualified.” The Clallam County commissioners and the governor rejected her applications for two separate judicial appointments. Judicial independence is critical. I refuse to pander to the CCBA for its political support. I refuse to be indebted to a special-interest group of lawyers, and I will never allow the CCBA to influence my decisions. Justice requires judicial independence.
About the job CLALLAM COUNTY DISTRICT COURT 1 JUDGE Partisan or nonpartisan: Nonpartisan Election boundaries: Diamond Point west to the west end of Lake Crescent Voters: 42,385 as of Sept. 24
health court and the first DUI drug court in the state of Washington. We have implemented a 24/7 alcohol monitoring program and a high-risk probation calendar to reduce DUIs and other drugrelated crimes. These programs have significantly impacted the lives of the participants and reduced recidivism substantially.
Term: Four years Salary: $148,881 for fiscal year 2014-2015, which is from Oct. 1, 2014-Sept. 30, 2015 Duties: The District Court judge is responsible for submitting, for approval by county commissioners, a general fund budget that in 2014 is $891,300 and that covers 8.57 full-timeequivalent positions. The judge has jurisdiction over criminal cases including misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors and criminal traffic cases. With the exception of DUI and some game violations, the judge can apply sentences of up to $5,000 in fines, a year in jail or both for criminal offenses. The judge also issues small-claims awards of up to $4,000.
How important is a judge’s demeanor and temperament on the bench?
citizens of Clallam County with respect and without bias.
Marshall: The legitimacy of our judicial system hinges on how the public perceives its judicial officers’ demeanor and temperament in the courtroom. This is how impartiality and fairness are determined. Hence, these two characteristics should be considered crucial in our elected judges. Judges must treat people with courtesy and respect, and they must also act with patience and self-control. I will always serve the
Porter: Demeanor and temperament involve balancing several competing interests: holding offenders accountable while showing understanding and grace; confronting destructive lifestyles while offering alternatives to addiction. Simply put, it’s knowing when to use the carrot and having the courage to use the stick when needed. For 12 years, I’ve had a sign on my bench that summarizes my judicial philosophy in this regard: “Admonish the unruly,
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encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” How can the law-andjustice system reduce the number of DUI incidents, including those involving marijuana? Marshall: The judicial system sanctions those who commit DUI and marijuana-related incidents with stiff penalties and rehabilitation efforts. I will follow the law as prescribed and assess the appropriate penalties and fines, but I will also run a successful DUI court to best serve those who are in need of treatment so they are less likely to reoffend. This DUI court will also include those who drive while under the influence of marijuana. Porter: I was one of the founding members of the adult drug court. After being elected District Court judge, I started a mental
How would you be a more effective judge than your opponent? Marshall: I have the legal experience, knowledge, demeanor and temperament to be an excellent judge. My opponent’s 12 years have seen him admonished by the [state Commission on Judicial Conduct], sent a letter of caution by the PDC and criticized by the ACLU and the cities of Port Angeles and Sequim. More than 200 “affidavits of prejudice” have been filed against him since 2011, according to the public defender’s office. I will bring civility to District Court 1, use resources wisely, better utilize DUI court, allow community service and win back public trust. Porter: I have nearly 12 years’ experience as a judge; my opponent, zero. I have eight years’ felony trial experience (prosecuting homicides, pedophiles, violent offenders and drug dealers); my opponent, zero. I’ve presided over 25,000-plus criminal cases; my opponent, zero. I have 12 years’ experience administering a court; my opponent zero. I have 23 years’ military service; my opponent, zero. I’m endorsed by 50 judges; my opponent, zero. For public safety, re-elect Judge Porter.
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North Olympic Peninsula
VOTER GUIDE
FOR THE ELECTION ENDING NOVEMBER 4, 2014
13
Clallam County
County Charter Review Commission About the task
District 1 candidates — vote for 5 Appearing in ballot order
CLALLAM COUNTY CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION — DISTRICTS 1, 2, 3 Partisan or nonpartisan: Nonpartisan Election boundaries: Boundaries are county commissioner Districts 1, 2 and 3 (see general geographic descriptions under “Voters,” below). Voting is not countywide for these positions. Voters who live in each county commissioner district vote for five candidates to represent the voter’s respective district. The top five vote-getters from each district sit on the Charter Review Commission. Voters: As of Sept. 22, there were 18,371 voters in Sequim-East End District 1; 15,091 in Port Angeles central area District 2; and 13,129 in west Port Angeles-West End District 3. Term: One year Salary: None Duties: The Charter Review Commission convenes every eight years. Charter review commissioners may propose amendments to the home-rule charter — which is like a county constitution — and can make recommendations to county commissioners. (Amendments also can be proposed by the county commissioners or the public.) The person with the greatest number of votes regardless of district convenes the commission within 30 days of election results being verified by the county. In this election, the county verification deadline is Nov. 25. Proposed amendments must be filed and registered by the county auditor and voted on at the next general election that occurs at least 90 days after the auditor registers the amendment. Amendments become effective 10 days after voter approval. Implementing ordinances must be enacted by the county commissioners within 180 days after the amendment becomes effective. For additional discussion on the Clallam homerule charter process — and to read the charter itself — visit http://tinyurl.com/pdn-homerule.
Nola Elise Judd
Ken Hays
Residence: Residence: Sequim Sequim Age on Nov. 4, ElecAge on Nov. 4, Elec- tion Day: 60 tion Day: 74 What would you What change would you about county change about county government? government? I would advoConsider pros cate returning the director of and cons of changing our community development home-rule to a hired charter to position and having the to making the option of five elected county county comprosecutor missioners. position nonpartisan.
Jerry Sinn Residence: Sequim Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 72 What would you change about county government? I commit to listen to the voice of the people, focus on local economy, maintain local government transparency, support property rights and maintain fiscal restraint.
Ted Miller
Jon Alan Residence: Kirshbaum
Sequim Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 68 What would you change about county government? Judicial positions should be nonpartisan; judges and the sheriff already are. I would work to make the prosecuting attorney position nonpartisan as well.
Bill Lowman
Bryon Gunnerson
Timothy Bruce
Brandon Janisse
Residence: Residence: Residence: Residence: Residence: Sequim Sequim Sequim Sequim Sequim Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 72
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 81
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 60
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 61
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 29
What would you change about county government? Increased transparency accompanied by accurate reporting, making its officials more accountable to the county’s citizenry.
What would you change about county government? At first I had no agenda. However, after investigation, I believe we need to mandate some environmental polices, such as processing stormwater runoff.
What would you change about county government? We have far too many “stupid” regulations. It is time for better efficiencies.
What would you change about county government? I will facilitate a healthy discussion and openness to all residents and issues, and consider all views, not just select interests. Voters determine the change.
What would you change about county government? I would not offer any major changes. I would ensure that the charter continues to ensure constitutional rights and have transparency.
NOTE: Anita L. Ready, whose name appears on the ballot, has withdrawn.
Ronald Bell
Sue Forde
Residence: Sequim,
Residence: Sequim
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 66
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 67
What would you change about county government? I will keep an open, unbiased mind and listen to suggested proposed changes. One change having merit is to make the prosecuting attorney position nonpartisan.
What would you change about county government? When serving previously, I listened and brought protection from eminent domain to the ballot, which passed. I would work to continue to protect individual rights.
Henning Holmgaard Residence: Sequim Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 71 What would you change about county government? County government seems to run fine. However, I want to look into the question of eminent domain and practices in ways it is used.
14 FOR THE ELECTION ENDING NOVEMBER 4, 2014
North Olympic Peninsula
VOTER GUIDE
PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Clallam charter review District 2 candidates — vote for 5 Appearing in ballot order
Lindsey Maggie Steven D. Kaj Stephanie Diane Glenn Norma E. Susan Patti Selinda Scott A. Schromen- Turner Roth Ahlburg Noblin Wiggins Shotthafer Burke Morris Barkhuis Haffner Clausen Wawrin Residence: Residence: Residence: Residence: Residence: Residence: Residence: Residence: Residence: Residence: Residence: Residence: Port Angeles Port Angeles Age on Nov. 4, ElecAge on Nov. 4, Elec- tion Day: 75 tion Day: 35 What would you What change would you about county change about county government? government? The charter I will propose, review profor the people cess empowers the comto decide, munity to charter amendments make county government that encourmore responage demosive to comcratic decimunity needs sion-making by presenting, and use our local constitu- then voting tion to protect on, proposed our civil rights. changes.
Sean Ryan Residence: Port Angeles Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 52 What would you change about county government? Change is inevitable, but with a commonsense approach and the community’s input, we can make sensible changes.
NOTE: Judi Hangartner and Marcia Farrell, whose names appear on the ballot, have withdrawn.
Port Angeles
Port Angeles
Port Angeles
Port Angeles
Port Angeles
Port Angeles
Port Angeles
Port Angeles
Port Angeles
Sequim
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 60
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 67
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day? 49
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 60
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 55
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 52
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 66
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 69
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 82
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 62
What would you change about county government? All tax increases should be voterapproved. Protect local control against imposed mandates.
What would you change about county government? County residents express worry about government privacy invasions. A charter amendment prohibiting all local government surveillance without a warrant would guard citizens against privacy violations.
What would you change about county government? I would like to help in making an efficient and effective county government that operates to the benefit of all residents of Clallam County.
What would you change about county government? I will listen to the issues and citizens, and then propose changes for the voters to consider. I do not have a specific agenda.
What would you change about county government? I would like to see tax increases and changes in land-use rules be put to a vote of the people.
What would you change about county government? I will propose eliminating the charter-created position of county administrator and improving the transparency of the county commissioners’ budgeting and decision-making processes.
What would you change about county government? Voters to approve all tax increases. Safeguard against forced state mandates. Create videos of county commissioner meetings and post on Internet for citizens.
What would you change about county government? Guidelines on harassment (both sexual and bullying) need to be incorporated policies. Elected county officials should not be eligible to run for Charter Review Commission.
What would you change about county government? Establish a jobs commission to investigate ways to put young people to work, teach responsibility and effectively improve our county in meaningful and costeffective ways.
What would you change about county government? Make the department of community development director an appointed position, not an elected one. Ensure moderation and not extremism.
Rob Robertsen Residence: Port Angeles Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 77 What would you change about county government? The director of community development position requires extensive knowledge and experience in federal, state and local laws and regulations, and should be an appointed office.
Dennis McBride Residence: Sequim Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 64 What would you change about county government? I would like to see the people change the Clallam County Charter to make the county prosecutor position nonpartisan.
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PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
VOTER GUIDE
FOR THE ELECTION ENDING NOVEMBER 4, 2014
15
Clallam charter review District 3 candidates — vote for 5 Appearing in ballot order
Lee Whetham
Don Corson
Connie Beauvais
Joseph McGimpsey
Barbara Christensen
Derek G. Medina
William G. White
William ‘Rod’ Fleck
Cheryl Williams
Residence: Port Angeles
Residence: Port Angeles
Residence: Joyce
Residence: Neah Bay
Residence: Port Angeles
Residence: Port Angeles
Residence: Beaver
Residence: Forks
Residence: Port Angeles
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 54
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 66
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 63
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 60
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 53
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 39
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 62
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 47
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 56
What would you change about county government? I will work for local workers on county construction projects using a construction apprenticeship program similar to Local Employment and Apprenticeship Program (LEAP).
What would you change about county government? County charter changes should only happen after thorough review with officials and citizens. Landuse issues and enforcement are critical issues to me.
What would you change about county government? I would propose that new/increased taxes and land-use-ordinance changes be sent to the voters.
What would you change about county government? I would propose an additional district to elect another county commissioner from Forks, LaPush, Clallam Bay or Neah Bay for a truly West End representative.
What would you change about county government? Have county government be more proactive and progressive when establishing county ordinances and guidelines.
What would you change about county government? First, listen to our community. Second, use those conversations to enhance the county charter. Third, apply my legal skills to maximize the benefits of government.
What would you change about county government? Reduce the size of government, lower taxes, stop unwanted land-use ordinances. All these things would have to be voter approved.
What would you change about county government? I want to hear what our citizens would like to see changed. I would also ask: Will such a change be costly to the taxpayers?
What would you change about county government? I do not have a personal agenda and look forward, if given the opportunity, to be a voice for the citizens of Clallam County.
Howard ‘Mike’ Doherty Jr.
John Merton Marrs
Residence: Port Angeles
Residence: Port Angeles
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 71
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 72
What would you change about county government? The Charter Review Commission, in an open, public process, should recommend measures that will result in a more transparent, accountable and efficient county government.
What would you change about county government? The commission should study whether the development director continues to be elected, and whether a three-member Board of County Commissioners is our best option.
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Clallam County Fire District No. 2
Proposition 1: property tax levy BY ROB OLLIKAINEN PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
PORT ANGELES — Clallam County Fire District No. 2 is asking voters to pass an operations and maintenance levy lid lift that would prevent significant cuts in service. District Chief Sam Phillips said the Black Diamond and Deer Park fire stations would have to be decertified if the levy lid lift of 29 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation fails to garner the needed simple majority in the Nov. 4 election. The measure appears as Proposition 1 on ballots for voters residing in the fire district. The existing levy rate is 78 cents per $1,000 valuation, or $156 per year for the owner of a $200,000 home. If the proposed measure to raise the levy to $1.07 passes, the owner of a $200,000 home would pay $214 per year in taxes to the district. If the Black Diamond and Deer Park fire stations are decertified, they would be turned into storage space for the district. If Prop. 1 fails, Phillips said, insurance rates in the unincorporated areas south and east of Port Angeles that are covered by
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Clallam County Fire District No. 2 Proposition 1 Proposition Authorizing Property Tax Levy The Board of Commissioners of Clallam County Fire District No. 2 adopted Resolution No. 2014-07 concerning a proposition to remove the 1% annual increase limitation of RCW 84.55.010 and establish its regular property tax levy for maintenance and operations to an amount not exceeding $1.07 per $1,000.00 of assessed valuation to be levied in 2014 for collection in 2015. The maximum allowable levy in 2014 shall be the base for computing subsequent levy limitations as provided by RCW 84.55. Should this proposition be: Approved Rejected
the district would skyrocket, Phillips said. The owner of a $260,000 home in those areas would pay $292 more in annual fire insurance — an increase from $560 to $852 — if the Black Diamond and Deer Park fire stations are decertified, district officials said. A similar hike in insurance rates occurred in the Lake Sutherland area after the fire station there was decertified. “We can see kind of a domino effect here,” Phillips said. Clallam County Fire District No. 2 has other fire stations in Gales Addition and Dry Creek that would not be affected. Last year, 2,072 district voters rejected a 39-cents-per-$1,000 property tax levy increase, with 57.4 percent voting no. In separate interviews, Phillips and Assistant Chief Mike DeRousie were cautiously optimistic that the 29-cent lid lift would pass this time around. “This is kind of a do-or-die,” DeRousie said, adding that a $1.07 levy rate would still be “one of the lowest ones around here.” Phillips and DeRousie agreed
that the lower proposed levy amount has a better chance of passing. They also noted that an antilevy campaign that helped sink last year’s proposal is no longer active. “We don’t have strong opposition, and we’ve settled our differences with the local ambulance company,” Phillips said. The fire district and Olympic Ambulance owner Bill Littlejohn, who contributed to Citizens Against Fire District 2 Levy last year, have agreed to split transports 50-50, Phillips said.
List of service cuts HERE ARE THE proposed service cuts that would result if the levy lid lift fails, according to the Clallam County Fire District No. 2 Board of Commissioners: ■ Decertify Deer Park Station 25. ■ Decertify Black Diamond Station 23. ■ Limit response to non-injury falls. ■ Cease response to burn complaints. ■ Cease response to non-structure smoke investigations. ■ Cease response outside Fire District No. 2 boundaries except where aid agreements exist. ■ Cease response to odor investigations. ■ Begin charging $25 for a residential burn permit. ■ Raise commercial land clearing permits from $100 to $200. ■ Limit alarm responses until a verified emergency is reported. ■ Cut the fire investigation program. ■ Cease staffing the first aid booth at the Clallam County Fair. ■ Cease staffing the Great Olympic Peninsula Duck Derby. ■ End free smoke alarm checks in homes. ■ End fireworks standby in the city of Port Angeles. ■ Reduce the fire prevention program budget by $5,850, or 59 percent. ■ Charge a $25 fee for Knox Box rapid-entry system installations. The district also would cut volunteer stipends by 20 percent, reduce equipment repair and maintenance by 59 percent and cut building maintenance by 60 percent, among other cuts, if the lid lift fails, according to a draft budget.
make,” Phillips said. “We just have to draw a line. “I think the citizens know, No longer campaigning they understand, that this is a Littlejohn confirmed that he is pretty serious issue for the fire no longer campaigning against district as far as having to the district’s proposed lid lift. implement some of these “I’m staying out of that this reductions,” Phillips said. year,” he said. In order to address the disCall volumes trict’s economic challenges, Meanwhile, the 30 volunteers Phillips drew up a list of 23 proand five paid staff of Clallam posed reductions in service and modifications to service and fees. County Fire District No. 2 are responding to more and more District commissioners calls every year. narrowed the list to 17 in June. Call volumes jumped from 981 “They were hard decisions to
in 2012 to 1,180 last year, and the upward trend continues. The district had received 743 calls from Jan. 1 to July 31 alone, officials said. Clallam County Fire District No. 2 covers an 85-square-mile swath of unincorporated area from Lake Crescent to Deer Park. The district failed to secure operating lid lifts in 1983, 1994, 1996, 2003 and 2013. “I can’t emphasize enough the need for our volunteers to have the support of their neighbors behind them,” Phillips said.
PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
North Olympic Peninsula
VOTER GUIDE
FOR THE ELECTION ENDING NOVEMBER 4, 2014
17
Jefferson County
County commissioner, District No. 3 What are your views on regulating the cultivation, production and sale of licensed recreational marijuana? Kler: Washington citizens passed Initiative 502 into law. The Washington State Liquor Control Board controls the screening and licensing of applicants for growing, producing and selling marijuana. However, many municipalities and counties are struggling with the specific details of local zoning for these legal activities. Jefferson County recognizes that residents can be impacted by these new activities and is reviewing how to legally and responsibly handle the conflicts between applicants and neighborhoods. Toepper: Marijuana brings concerns that cannot be ignored. It cannot be viewed as just another agricultural product. State-mandated permitting, taxing, oversight and safety measures are evidence of it requiring a different classification. It should not be given any preferential or expedited process over any other form of business venture. Property rights and entrepreneurial considerations must be balanced with public health, public safety and land-use concerns throughout the county. Growers and processors must be accountable.
lic properties to ensure citizens’ safety and enjoyment. The search for sustainable funding beyond the limited general fund is an ongoing challenge that needs to be resolved so families can be assured that this county values healthy, affordable recreation in safe environments. Toepper: Participation or usage fees are a first step. Localized park districts would be a better alternative than a new countywide authority or junior taxing district. With the exception of a few of our larger parks and recreation holdings, local entities could fundraise and help maintain county interests. Little leagues, community centers, the fairgrounds and community organizations are already performing in that fashion. We have already spent too much time and resources on an unwanted [metropolitan parks and recreation district]. With Sheriff’s Office response times getting longer, how would you fund the department’s staffing needs? Kler: Police response is only one part of how we take care of neighborhood safety. Currently, the sheriff’s budget is more than 25 percent of the general fund, limiting the funding for other community services like parks and recreation and mental health. A coordinated effort is needed with the Sheriff’s Department to seek grant funding to better address the community’s needs and maximize officers’ presence throughout the county.
Public safety is one of the top priorities for budget consideration. Not raising salaries for elected officials is a good place to start. Cease making policy or code decisions that lead to untenable litigation against the county. Decisions need to be made by elected officials and county supervisors staying within legal scrutiny. Minimize using hired consultants. What can the county do to increase revenue and maintain services? Kler: Ever since Initiative 747 limited annual property tax increases to 1 percent, the county budget has not kept up with the rate of inflation. The recent recession halted construction and tourism that could have added tax dollars beyond the 1 percent. There are limited choices: ■ User fees to meet costs of services. ■ Maintenance-and-operations levies and bond measures. ■ Service and personnel cuts to balance the budget.
Toepper: More goods and services need to be offered within the county. Keeping paychecks circulating locally will help expand our tax base. The more we can encourage and cultivate local business opportunities, the more jobs and What needs to be done to housing we can stimulate. improve parks and recreation Our DCD and health departfacilities? ment need to be flexible and creative in helping all ventures sucKler: We need to take care of ceed. We must alter the demowhat we have. graphics of our county to include Our parks and recreation Toepper: County commission- young working families. facilities have deteriorated due to ers don’t determine deployment, Incentivizing and retaining severe funding cutbacks. manpower utilization or staffing. younger people is vital. The county is responsible for Our sheriff decides as he or she PLEASE TURN TO NEXT PAGE maintenance and repairs of pub- deems appropriate.
Kathleen Kler (D)
Daniel S. Toepper (NP)
Residence: Quilcene Phone: 360-643-3555 Email: kathleenkler2014@ gmail.com Campaign website: www. kathleenkler2014.com Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 64 Education: Christ College, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind., honors, 196870; bachelor’s degree, English literature, 1973, University of Missouri, St. Louis; emergency medical technician certification, 1979, Franklin County; Bachelor of Science, nursing, honors, 1985, Intercollegiate School of Nursing, Spokane. Occupation: Artist, DoeRun Studios, Quilcene; retired registered nurse, Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress, Seattle. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? No.
Residence: Port Ludlow Phone: 360-437-9920 Email: Toepper4county commissioner@outlook.com Campaign website: www. electdantoepper.com Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 54 Education: Chimacum High School, Class of 1978 Occupation: Retired heavy-equipment operator Have you ever run for or held elective public office, and if so, what? Elected Republican Party precinct committee officer, three two-year terms, 1996-2002; candidate in 2013 for freeholder position for District 3 in the failed county Charter Review Commission election.
18 FOR THE ELECTION ENDING NOVEMBER 4, 2014
North Olympic Peninsula
VOTER GUIDE
PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Jefferson County
About the job
County auditor
JEFFERSON COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT 3 Partisan or nonpartisan: Partisan Election boundaries: Countywide Voters: 22,735 as of Sept. 18 How important is Auditor’s Office experience in filling this position?
Term: Four years Meetings: First four Mondays every month Salary: $63,296 in 2015 Duties: Commissioners pass a general fund county budget that in 2014 is $15 million and that covers 280 fulltime-equivalent positions. They set a tax levy, approve county ordinances, hire the county administrator, serve on regional and statewide boards, and serve on the county Board of Health, which meets monthly.
Jefferson County commissioner/continued How would you be a more effective county commissioner than your opponent? Kler: I have already worked extensively over the past five years with many citizens in the
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county who are seeking solutions to some of our major issues. I prepared for the commissioner responsibility by participating in department meetings, completing the state-offered course on planning and extensively studying county policy. I met with neighboring elected officials and tribal leaders, establishing relationships and listening to their concerns and advice. I am ready to do this job. Toepper: I’m Jefferson County-born and -raised. My life and work experience on the Olympic Peninsula and around Puget Sound have given me insight into most of the diverse and complicated issues we face. I know where we’ve come from, all that has been achieved, and know that there is still much to be accomplished for our common future. Integrity, character and a work ethic forged in farming, fishing, timber and construction are attributes I possess.
Carroll: Extremely important. Knowing county policies and procedures and understanding the organization and structure allows me to see what works as well as what is not working as efficiently as possible. I have an excellent working relationship with county staff and elected officials. I have served as a key member of the budget team, working with other elected officials and department heads. Maves-Klatt: [Current Auditor] Donna Eldridge came from outside, so we know it’s possible. We want someone who can correctly administer the laws, administrative codes and policies of the office. We need an honest professional who’s versatile enough to supervise duties ranging from conducting elections to auditing the county’s expenditures to recording and preserving the public’s critical records, plus fulfilling licensing and passport duties — all critical functions. I can do these things. Plus, I’m easy to work with. What changes would you make to how the Auditor’s Office is run? Carroll: I would not make any immediate changes. The office is run in accordance with state law and will continue to be under my leadership. PLEASE
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Rose Ann Carroll (D) Residence: Port Townsend Phone: 360-379-0203
Judy Maves-Klatt (D) Residence: Port Townsend Phone: 360-379-3339; 360316-9650
Email: votecarroll4auditor@gmail. com
Email: JudyforAuditor@ gmail.com
Campaign website: www.carroll4auditor.org
Campaign website: www.JudyforAuditor.com
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 64
Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 52
Education: High school graduate
Education: Bachelor’s degree, criminal justice, 1985, University of Wisconsin; law degree, 1992, University of California at Davis
Occupation: Jefferson County deputy auditor-chief accountant Have you ever run for or held elective public office? No.
Occupation: Owner of a real estate appraisal office, MK Appraisal Service, in Jefferson County for the past 11 years. Self-employed as a certified residential appraiser. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? No.
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North Olympic Peninsula
VOTER GUIDE
FOR THE ELECTION ENDING NOVEMBER 4, 2014
Jefferson County auditor
Jefferson County
/continued
Maves-Klatt: That remains to be seen. I will first apply my 20 years of experience in budgeting, accounting and the law and analyze the office’s processes from the customers’ perspective to determine how the office can better serve the public, and review procedures to manage risk. I will train more observers to expand public oversight in our elections. Any changes will be done with a team approach because the staff are the subject-matter experts. What would be your top accomplishment after four years in office? Carroll: Improve the financial software communication between the treasurer’s financial accounting system and the auditor’s financial software system. Maves-Klatt: I will successfully lobby the Legislature for an online ballot-access system for Washington’s military and disabled voters. This system allows voters to access ballots from the Internet and makes available accessibility features such as audio, video and closed captioning. Hopefully, we will have been able to update our voting software by that time — a huge accomplishment. I’ll also provide a ballot drop box in the south county. I’ll actively register high school seniors to vote. How would you be a more
County sheriff
About the job JEFFERSON COUNTY AUDITOR Partisan or nonpartisan: Nonpartisan Election boundaries: Countywide Voters: 22,735 as of Sept. 18
Does the department need restructuring to more effectively deal with service demands?
Term: Four years Salary: $73,470 Duties: The auditor is responsible for submitting, for approval by county commissioners, a general fund budget that in 2014 is $758,987 and that covers 9.82 full-time-equivalent positions. The auditor records real property documents such as deeds, land transfers and community property agreements; processes vehicle and vessel licenses for the state Department of Licensing; oversees the county elections division; audits county expenditures; issues and records marriage licenses; and processes passports.
effective county auditor than your opponent?
I believe in doing the right thing.
Carroll: I have more than 18 years’ experience serving the citizens of Jefferson County. I know county policies and procedures, understand the county’s organization and structure, have supervised union and non-union personnel, and worked for more than two years as deputy auditor-chief accountant. I address every challenge with a can-do attitude. I have exhibited trust, honesty and a hard-work ethic while providing support to staff members and citizens.
Maves-Klatt: Anyone’s first term in office includes a steep learning curve, and I can offer my constituents three terms, not just one. Because of my work history as a successful small-business owner, attorney and State Patrol inspector, I will bring exacting professional skills and a fresh perspective to the Auditor’s Office. I have a collaborative, supportive management style and enjoy teamwork to reach a common goal of providing excellent customer service to everyone.
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Davis: Reorganization of the Sheriff’s Office could provide more first-level supervision and staffing to handle calls for service. Evaluation of the organization including restructuring options, an audit and inventory will help determine any existing problems. Reorganization should include the addition of an undersheriff to assist in the day-to-day operations while freeing up other staff to protect and serve this community. Reorganization will also allow more options for developing a community policing model.
Wendy L. Davis David Stanko Candidates’ biographies, About the Job outline on next page. training in areas of emergency management and incident command systems that helps to prepare our agency and others for worst-case scenarios.
Stanko: Training is our most effective tool to ensure officer and community safety. We will work with other law enforcement, fire and community emergency preparedness groups to ensure proper responses to emergencies. We will bring community Stanko: I will assess and policing concepts that are review structure once I am tailored to our community. elected. We will involve deputies and community members to help in It is premature to make any decisions until I review the whole this process. We will continue our Sheriff’s Department operation. We need to be fiscally prudent, accreditation process in the jail using all our resources effectively. and Sheriff’s Department. This will involve working How will you deal with the collaboratively with all county, law enforcement and community budgetary and traffic enforcement impact of the stakeholders. legalization of recreational marijuana? What training would you bring to the department that Davis: The impacts of I-502 it does not already have? are still yet to be known. While there are projections Davis: Mental health crisisthat costs of enforcement could intervention training is one area increase, not enough time has that I have discussed in detail. passed to evaluate the impact. This is a yearly eight-hour All budgetary considerations program that gives law for the Sheriff’s Office will be enforcement a different handled in the same way, by perspective on mental heath crises and how to deal with them working with the county administration and county more effectively. commissioners. Additionally, I believe that we PLEASE TURN TO NEXT PAGE need to focus on multi-agency
20 FOR THE ELECTION ENDING NOVEMBER 4, 2014
North Olympic Peninsula
VOTER GUIDE
PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Jefferson County sheriff
/continued
Law enforcement will handle traffic violations as they have been, by upholding the laws with respect for the person violating the statute.
About the job JEFFERSON COUNTY SHERIFF
Wendy L. Davis (D)
David Stanko (D)
Residence: Port Ludlow
Residence: Port Townsend
Phone: 360-204-0666
Phone: 360-385-5688
Email: wendydavis4sheriff@gmail. com Campaign website: www.wendydavis4sheriff.com Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 47 Education: Master’s degree, business administration, emphasis on human resources management, University of Phoenix, 2011; bachelor’s degree, criminal justice administration, University of Phoenix, 2009; associate degree, emphasis on criminal justice, Olympic College, Bremerton, 1994; Washington State Criminal Justice Training Certificate, 1995. Occupation: Human resources manager, payroll specialist, Port Ludlow Associates LLC, Port Ludlow. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? No.
Email: dstanko8@aol.com Campaign website: davestankoforsheriff.com Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 66 Education: Bachelor’s degree, public management, University of Redlands, Redlands, Calif.; executive certificate, state of California; graduate, FBI National Academy, Class No. 197. Occupation: Retired police lieutenant, Fullerton, Calif., Police Department Have you ever run for or held elective public office? No.
Stanko: Again, we need to work in partnership with all public safety agencies. We will enforce our Washington state laws. We will handle marijuana under-the-influence stops the same as DUI stops. I see no additional impact on traffic stops. We still need to rely on other agencies for follow-up when prudent. What will be your biggest accomplishment after four years in office? Davis: Currently, there are some minor internal issues that need to be resolved, which will allow us to work better with the community and provide services to meet our mission, vision and values. It is my expectation that mental health crisis-intervention training and other programs will be ongoing. Our jail populations should decrease, and costs should remain the same due to savings realized by implementing these preventative measures. Stanko: Completing Sheriff’s Office accreditation. This is to promote professionalism, standardization of policies and staff competencies through training. How will you be a more
Partisan or nonpartisan: Partisan Election boundaries: Countywide Voters: 22,735 as of Sept. 18 Term: Four years Salary: $87,563 Duties: The sheriff is “conservator of the peace of the county,” according to state law. The person is responsible for submitting a general fund budget for county commissioners’ approval that in 2014 is $5.5 million and covers 50.75 full-time-equivalent positions and supervision of more than 100 volunteers. The sheriff heads five divisions: major crimes (detective bureau), civil (serves warrants and subpoenas for the county and city), patrol (including marine patrol conducted with three vessels), the county jail and administration.
effective sheriff than your opponent? Davis: My Washington state training, recent experience, regional law enforcement associations and understanding of our state laws and criminal procedures set me apart from my opponent. Additionally, I have a collaborative management style and look for input from my staff and the community. I also believe that we must work within the community to help those with problems such as addiction, mental health, poverty, homelessness and domestic violence before they become involved with law enforcement.
Stanko: I bring 10 years of proven community leadership in Jefferson County, understanding that our rural community cannot be successful without building partnerships and collaborations, and have been recognized as Jefferson County Citizen of the Year and Rotary president. I have 28 years’ police experience, with 17 in management and supervision; been personnel-training manager, a watch commander managing a 25-bed jail; worked dispatch, investigation and patrol. My knowledge and experience will allow me to manage more effectively.
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North Olympic Peninsula
VOTER GUIDE
FOR THE ELECTION ENDING NOVEMBER 4, 2014
21
Jefferson County
Prosecuting attorney and coroner How well has the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office handled capital crimes? Haas: Not well. Aggravated murder cases are rare in Jefferson County, with two since 2000. A lack of violent crime is why so many of us choose to live and raise our children here. The most recent is the Pierce case. The mishandling of Pierce by the incumbent and his predecessor has cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars and immeasurable damage to the Yarr family. A fourth attempt to try Pierce begins this [month]. Rosekrans: Jefferson County has had one capital crime in the last six years. Under Prosecuting Attorney Juelie Dalzell, the decision was made to forgo the death penalty after weighing all of the facts and evidence. Prior to coming to Jefferson County, I twice made the decision not to seek the death penalty in two separate capital murder cases. While in private practice, I was also certified to handle capital murder defense. How much would you use plea-bargaining? Haas: Whenever it serves the public interest. Plea-bargaining is a necessary evil, and all efforts to eliminate it inevitably fail. In a typical year, our Prosecuting Attorney’s Office handles well over 1,500 criminal cases. With one judge in Superior Court and one in District Court, not all cases can be tried, and not all defendants will plead guilty as charged. Without the judicious use of
plea-bargaining, the judicial system would collapse in on itself. Rosekrans: RCW 9.94A.421 states that a prosecuting attorney may enter into a plea-bargain agreement. In October 2011, we ceased plea-bargaining in District Court and instituted a no-plea-bargain policy on DUIs under which the offender either pleads guilty or goes to trial. Because jurors recognize the seriousness of DUI in Jefferson County, we have a conviction rate of 75 percent in DUI trials. What changes, if any, would you make in Prosecuting Attorney’s Office staffing and operations? Haas: There are no immediate plans to change staffing. There will be a greater emphasis on the use of evidencebased mental health and drug treatment programs designed to decrease recidivism. Meaningful, transparent and common-sense charging and sentencing policies will be implemented within the first month in office. All felony cases will be thoroughly reviewed before a charging decision is made. Domestic violence cases will be a priority, and DUIs will be prosecuted aggressively. Rosekrans: Former Prosecuting Attorney Juelie Dalzell left an office that was strong, welltrained and dedicated. We have continued to build upon that foundation with additional training that has allowed us to institute new programs such as pre-charging diversion for low-level District Court cases and mental health court. These programs provide essential services to those in
need at no extra cost to the taxpayers. We will continue to look for ways to serve the public. What would be your top accomplishment after four years in office? Haas: Transitioning the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office into a fully functional and wellrespected law enforcement agency. That means working with police to develop a Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion Program; adding a veterans court to therapeutic courts such as drug court and mental health court; and recognizing that therapeutic courts are not enough and that there is a need to increase the usage of evidencebased diversion programs that focus on holding the offender accountable while protecting victims and citizens. Rosekrans: Now that Mental Health Court is fully operational, I plan on focusing my energies on crimes against women and children such as domestic violence and sexual assault. Currently, I handle these crimes along with my other duties and take two or three of these cases to trial each year. It is my goal to have one prosecutor specially trained to handle these cases to ensure the cases are properly investigated and prosecuted. How would you be a more effective prosecuting attorney than your opponent? Haas: I will focus on public safety and reducing recidivism while efficiently managing limited resources. PLEASE
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Michael Haas (D)
Scott W. Rosekrans (D)
Residence: Port Townsend Phone: 360-774-6590 Email: info@voteforhaas. com Campaign website: www. voteforhaas.com Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 53 Education: Bachelor’s degree, double major, history and American studies, 1983, Willamette University College of Liberal Arts, Salem, Ore.; law degree, 1987, California Western School of Law, San Diego, Calif.; graduate, National Advocacy Center. Occupation: Attorney at law, partner with Haas & Ramirez, P.S., Port Townsend and Bainbridge Island. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? No.
Residence: Port Townsend Phone: 360-531-2175 Email: rosekrans2014@ gmail.com Campaign website: www. Rosekrans2014.com Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 62 Education: Bachelor’s degree, criminal justice, 1974, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas; law degree, South Texas College of Law, 1988, Houston, Texas. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? Prosecuting attorney, Jefferson County; criminal district attorney, San Jacinto County, Texas; Board of Trustees of ColdspringOakhurst Consolidated Independent School District, Coldspring, Texas.
22 FOR THE ELECTION ENDING NOVEMBER 4, 2014
North Olympic Peninsula
Judge, District Court
JEFFERSON COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY AND CORONER Partisan or nonpartisan: Partisan Election boundaries: Countywide
Term: Four years Salary: $131,345 in 2015 Duties: The prosecuting attorney is responsible for submitting, for approval by county commissioners, a general fund budget that in 2014 is $921,537 and that covers 11.62 full-time-equivalent positions. The person also acts as legal adviser to county commissioners and department heads and all other county officials, precinct officers and county school board members, and represents the county and school districts in criminal and civil proceedings.
Jefferson County prosecutor-coroner/continued I will implement meaningful charging and sentencing policies immediately. Excellent communication with crime victims, the public, law enforcement, the private bar and other agencies will become the norm. Evidence-based programs like drug court, aggressionreplacement training for juveniles, mental health programs and veterans court are best at reducing recidivism and will be emphasized, though incarceration will be used when needed.
Rosekrans: It’s not about my being more effective than my opponent. It’s about my being the most effective prosecutor I can be for Jefferson County. I can and have drawn upon my almost 40 years in the criminal justice system as a police officer, defense attorney and prosecutor. This invaluable experience enables me to see the big picture and develop effective strategies and solutions that best serve the community in which we live, work and play.
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Jefferson County
About the job
Voters: 22,735 as of Sept. 18
VOTER GUIDE
What would you change about District Court operations? Landes: To increase efficiency and lessen the costs involved in running District Court, I would work to make it a paperless system. Many courts in our state have done this at great savings to taxpayers. It does, however, take a bit of time and money to transition to this type of system. We are currently in the howcan-we-make-this-happen stage. Potebnya: I will strive to enhance public confidence in the court by treating all persons with dignity and respect and consistently applying the law. When deciding complex or recurring issues, I will provide written opinions for the benefit of parties and attorneys. I will take a collaborative approach to working with other county officials on the budget and other issues so that we can move toward our shared goals and serve the public interest. How important is a judge’s demeanor and temperament on the bench? Landes: It is imperative to ensure that everyone who appears before me is dealt with respectfully, impartially and within the law. Every individual deserves to know that he or she will be treated as an individual and not as a statistic. Sometimes it takes firmness, sometimes humor, at all times impartiality. It is important to me that when someone leaves my courtroom, they understand why I ruled the way I did. PLEASE
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Jill Landes
Cheryl Potebnya
Residence: Port Townsend
Residence: Port Ludlow
Phone: 360-461-4982
Phone: 360-774-0788
Email: kagiso@olypen.com Campaign website: www.reelectjudgelandes.com Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 64 Education: Bachelor’s degree, American studies, California State University, Fullerton, 1973; post-graduate K-12 teacher certification, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, 1975; law degree, Seattle University School of Law, 1993. Occupation: District Court judge, Jefferson County. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? District Court judge, Jefferson County.
Email: cherylpotebnya4judge@ gmail.com Campaign website: www. cheryl4judge.org Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 62 Education: Associate degree, Shoreline Community College, Shoreline; bachelor’s degree, political science, with a minor in communications, University of Washington; law degree, Seattle University School of Law. Occupation: Washington state attorney; real estate investor-business owner-operator of P&P Investments LLC, Port Ludlow. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? I ran for the Washington state Senate when I lived in Snohomish County.
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North Olympic Peninsula
VOTER GUIDE
FOR THE ELECTION ENDING NOVEMBER 4, 2014
Jefferson District Court
Jefferson County
/continued
Potebnya: Many people coming into a courtroom are nervous, and they don’t know what to expect. The judge sets the tone for the courtroom, and people respond to that tone. I am a person of even temperament. I am a patient listener and good communicator. My calm, consistent manner will help the public and the legal community have confidence that they are getting a fair hearing of their cases and to develop respect for the court. What would be your top accomplishment after four years in office? Landes: There are so many. In my third term, it would have to be transitioning to and having in place a paperless system. Potebnya: I do aspire to implement a District Court drug court program. I hope to meet the high standards I hold for myself. I know that I will need to be in the job to identify opportunities to improve the court. Ask me this question again in four years.
About the job JEFFERSON COUNTY DISTRICT COURT JUDGE Partisan or nonpartisan: Nonpartisan Election boundaries: Countywide Voters: 22,735 as of Sept. 18 Term: Four years Salary: $148,881 for fiscal year 2014-2015, which is from Oct. 1, 2014-Sept. 30, 2015 Duties: The District Court judge is responsible for submitting, for approval by county commissioners, a general fund budget that in 2014 is $921,537 and that covers 11.62 full-time-equivalent positions. The judge has jurisdiction over criminal cases including misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors and criminal traffic cases. With the exception of DUI and some game violations, the judge can apply sentences of up to $5,000 in fines, a year in jail or both for criminal offenses. The judge also issues small-claims awards of up to $4,000.
Potebnya: As long as people use alcohol, marijuana, prescription drugs and illegal drugs, there will be people who make the mistake of getting behind the wheel while impaired. This is a terrible risk to public safety. How can the law-and-jusLaw enforcement can contice system reduce the number tinue to train to detect these of DUI incidents, including offenders. those involving marijuana? Judges can attempt to deter by being tough on sentencing, Landes: Education on the devastation that DUIs can cause although I think that getting people the help they need to conand using best practices in sentrol their own addictions and/or tencing and monitoring DUI behaviors is more effective. offenders to help ensure they don’t continue the practice of driving while impaired. How would you be a more
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effective judge than your opponent? Landes: Experience. I have been the judge now for two terms (7¾ years). My knowledge of what it takes to be an effective and efficient judicial officer has grown significantly over that period of time. It is not guesswork on my part but comes about through years of attending judicial seminars, listening to thousands of cases and learning what works and what doesn’t. Potebnya: The court will run more smoothly with an eventempered judge. The judge manages court staff and procedures. My experience as a [deputy] prosecutor and leading Boeing Co. teams will help me bring efficiencies to the court. I will not judge the person but will consistently apply the law. As a deputy prosecutor, I learned to remain humble before the people I serve, keeping my ego in check, never forgetting that decisions affect the lives of real people.
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PUD commissioner How would you improve customer service? Collins: I would survey the customers to find out their priorities before moving forward with the rate study. I would also survey the customers on a quarterly basis to monitor improvement in customer service. I would ask the Citizens Advisory Board to develop a “Customer Bill of Rights.” I would open the customer service desk on Saturday mornings so that people can get help without leaving their jobs.
Kenneth Collins Tony De Leo Candidates’ biographies, About the Job outline on next page. retirees from various West Coast cities looking for less-expensive housing in a highly desirable place to live. This growth will give a muchneeded boost to our economy.
De Leo: Conservation saves the future high cost of increasing power-delivery equipment and De Leo: This would be an lines. operational issue, but as commisWhen existing hydro-genersioner, I would work toward and ated power capacity is reached, support providing adequate staffmore expensive generating sysing for this function and include tems will need to be developed. extensive training for the CSRs Solar generation will help fill (customer service representatives). the gap and should be supported. There should be a CSR “playHelping homeowners convert book” allowing quick access to from wood- and petroleum-fueled answers to customers’ questions. heating systems to clean, highThe best solution is to answer efficiency electric heat would the customers’ questions before increase power sales and reduce they ask by including as much air pollution. information as possible on the Charging the growing number website and the individual bills. of electric and hybrid cars would also increase revenue How would you hold the line on electricity bills given How would you keep the growing use of conservaexpenses down and revenues tion and alternative energy? up in order to pay the 28-year debt on the purchase of Collins: Today, conservation $115 million in Puget Sound and alternative energy have a Energy facilities? negligible effect on electricity bills, with less than 1 percent of Collins: I think it is critically PUD customers having solar important to ask PUD customers installations. what their priorities are rather Predictably, future decreases than assuming that people only in electrical consumption due to care about having the lowest conservation and alternative rates. energy will be more than offset by the arrival of baby boomer PLEASE TURN TO NEXT PAGE
24 FOR THE ELECTION ENDING NOVEMBER 4, 2014
North Olympic Peninsula
VOTER GUIDE
PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Jefferson County PUD commissioner
/continued
People may also want a PUD that operates safely, provides reliable service and plans for the future, and be willing to pay for it. Today, our PUD monthly service charge is among the lowest in the state. Paying off the debt will be the largest factor in any rate increase.
About the job JEFFERSON COUNTY PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT NO. 2 Partisan or nonpartisan: Nonpartisan Election boundaries: Countywide Voters: 22,735 as of Sept. 18
Anthony F. “Tony” De Leo
Kenneth Collins Residence: Nordland
Residence: Port Hadlock Phone: 360-385-6335 Email: DeLeo4PUD@ gmail.com Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 65 Campaign website: DeLeo4PUD.blogspot.com Education: Olympic College, electronics (1967-69) Occupation: Retired from The Home Depot after spending most of my career in retail building materials. Have you ever run for or held elective public office? I am serving my 41st year as an elected hospital commissioner for Jefferson County Public Hospital District No. 2 (Jefferson Healthcare). I also have run for Jefferson County commissioner.
Phone: 360-379-9448 Email: KennethRCollins @ gmail.com Age on Nov. 4, Election Day: 68 Education: Bachelor’s degree, University of Pittsburgh; master’s degree, social work, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Va. Occupation: Grape grower, winemaker Campaign website: www.KennethCollinsPUD.com Have you ever held or run for elective public office? No.
De Leo: The best ways, I feel, to accomplish this is through comprehensive operational and strategic planning, long and short term. Doing work now, based on projected future needs, reduces costly reworks. As a commissioner, setting the goals and objectives for staff and approving responsible annual operating budgets can help ensure that the PUD’s bills are paid while keeping our customers’ bills as low as possible.
Term: Six years Meetings: First and third Tuesdays Compensation: $2,285 a month, or $27,420 a year. The per diem for PUD-related meetings is $114 a day with a maximum of $15,960 annually. Duties: Commissioners approve a budget that for 2014 was $30.7 million to operate the district’s electricity, water and sewer services and pay the wages of 35 full-time-equivalent positions. Commissioners also set rates for those services and set a tax levy.
What would be your biggest have taken over from Puget accomplishment after six Sound Energy will be a thing of years in office? the past, proving that our PUD made a wise choice and delivered Collins: I would like my biggest accomplishment to be restor- on its promises. Our PUD would be a suping public trust and confidence in porter of solar and other alterthe PUD. nate energy generation, a chamI intend to do this by making customer service the No. 1 prior- pion for conservation of water and power, and be a spokesman ity, ensuring that the PUD is a for our environment. well-functioning organization, treating all customers with How would you be a more respect, bringing greater transeffective PUD commissioner parency to PUD commissioners’ than your opponent? meetings, regularly publishing an online and print newsletter Collins: I would bring to the and making sure that PUD commissioners understand and act in job a broader perspective gained from 14 years of consulting, duralignment with customer prioriing which my primary customer ties. was Pacific Gas & Electric. My experience also includes De Leo: [Puget Sound doing projects for Kaiser PermaEnergy] who? nente, Boeing, Johnson & JohnBy then, our PUD would be operating so well that the discus- son and Bayer Corp., among othsion on whether the PUD should ers.
I will also bring to the job specific knowledge and experience gained from working onsite at PG&E, as well as managing nine employees at Chevron Corp. and being part of several policymaking teams. De Leo: My 40 years of experience as an elected hospital commissioner, a job nearly identical to that of a PUD commissioner, will allow me to work effectively from day one. I am learning PUD operations by research and attending PUDrelated meetings. Serving as a fire chief strengthened my teamwork and command skills. Knowing the difference between commissioner and staff duties and responsibilities is necessary for success. Our PUD board is no place for on-the-job training.
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PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
North Olympic Peninsula
VOTER GUIDE
FOR THE ELECTION ENDING NOVEMBER 4, 2014
Jefferson Fire District No. 2
Washington state
Proposition 1: property tax levy BY CHARLIE BERMANT PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Jefferson County Fire Protection District No. 2 Board of Commissioners Proposition No. 1 Proposition Authorizing Property Tax Levy
QUILCENE — Passage of a levy lid lift to increase funding for the Quilcene Fire Department is essential to continue the current level of emergency response The Board of Commissioners of Jefferson County Fire Protection in this town, according to JefferDistrict No. 2 adopted Resolution No. 2014-03 concerning a son County Fire District No. 2 proposition to establish its regular property tax levy in the amount of officials. $1.25 per $1,000.00 of assessed valuation to be levied in 2014 for “Between the 1 percent limit collection in 2015. The maximum allowable levy in 2014 shall serve on annual tax increases, the loss as a base for computing subsequent levy limitations as provided by of the timber tax and skyrocketchapter 84.55 RCW. ing costs, we cannot sustain our present spending without a levy Should this proposition be: lid lift in 2014,” said Larry Karp, the department’s chief. { Approved “We do not have the funds to continue our resident firefighter { Rejected program beyond 2014.” The measure seeks to raise the current rate of 75 cents per The funds would subsidize the Since that time, Quilcene’s $1,000 of assessed value to $1.25 department’s resident firefighter demographics have changed, per $1,000 of assessed value, a program, according to Gary Phil- Phillips said. 50-cents-per-$1,000 increase. “We used to be a timber town lips, fire commission chairman. Tax impact and got a lot of [Department of The resident firefighter proNatural Resources] revenue, but The levy lid lift needs a simple gram consists of the two firethat stopped after the spotted fighter/emergency medical techmajority to pass. nicians who are on duty 24 hours owl decision,” he said, referring Property worth $200,000 is to a 1991 decision by U.S. District daily to respond to emergencies now assessed $150 annually for Court Judge William L. Dwyer to within Quilcene and Coyle. fire service. protect habitat for the northern Karp said Quilcene has two If passed, the measure would raise the amount to $250, accord- choices: to eliminate the resident spotted owl that resulted in restricted logging in Pacific firefighter/emergency medical ing to the Jefferson County technician program or raise taxes Northwest old-growth forests. Assessor’s Office. to cover costs. If approved, the measure Retirement community The levy rate was last would generate an additional $160,000 per year for the district. increased in 1988. “People moved away, and we have become a retirement community,” Phillips said. “A lot of the younger people in Quilcene commute elsewhere, so they don’t have the time to volunteer. “There is no other way for the The PDN every morning is just a phone call away! fire district to continue providing all the services we now provide Call 360-452-4507 or 800-826-7714 to the community.“ or subscribe online at The department — which has www.peninsuladailynews.com two paid staff members, including Karp, and 25 volunteer firefighters — covers an area of 72 square miles and operates three fire stations.
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25
Advisory only Advisory Vote No. 8 PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
It was the least controversial tax bill of the 2014 legislative session — clarifying that marijuana growers and pot products don’t qualify for agricultural tax breaks for now. Co-sponsored by Sen. Jim Hargrove, D-Hoquiam, whose 24th District includes the North Olympic Peninsula, Senate Bill 6505 passed both houses of the state Legislature last spring, including unanimously in the state Senate. The House voted 55-42 to pass it; North Olympic Peninsula Reps. Kevin Van De Wege and Steve Tharinger, both Sequim Democrats, voted with the majority. But because of a 2007 Tim Eyman initiative, the Legislature is required to submit any bill it passes that closes tax loopholes or raises revenue to a nonbinding advisory vote of the people. Hence, Advisory Vote No. 8 is on the general election ballot. The plebiscite asks voters whether they prefer to “maintain” or “repeal” Senate Bill 6505, which excludes marijuana growers from tax preferences geared toward farmers and agricultural products “to ensure a regulated and safe transition to the controlled and legal marijuana market in Washington.”
Senate Bill 6505 The Legislature eliminated, without a vote of the people, agricultural excise tax preferences for various aspects of the marijuana industry, costing an estimated $24,903,000 in the first ten years, for goverment spending. This tax increase should be: { Repealed { Maintained Hargrove said on the Senate floor that the bill simply provides clarity regarding tax rates for the new legal pot-growing industry approved by voters statewide in 2012. Under the bill, marijuana growers are excluded from eight business and occupation tax preferences, 16 sales tax preferences, four other excise tax preferences and four property tax preferences. Not extending the agricultural tax breaks to marijuana products and growers will save the state about $2.5 million per year during the first 10 years, according to an estimate from the state Department of Revenue.
Advisory Vote No. 9 PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Voters have the opportunity on the Nov. 4 ballot to weigh in on a bill the state Legislature passed last spring that affects property owned by federally recognized Native American tribes across the state. Because of Tim Eyman’s Ini-
tiative 960 passed in 2007, all legislation affecting taxes must be placed on the statewide ballot as a nonbinding advisory vote to “maintain” or “repeal” the action — without requiring the Legislation to take any further action. PLEASE
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PAGE 27
26 FOR THE ELECTION ENDING NOVEMBER 4, 2014
North Olympic Peninsula
VOTER GUIDE
PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Washington state
Justice, State Supreme Court Position No. 4 Charles W. Johnson Legal/ judicial experience: Associate chief justice, the State Supreme Court’s most experienced member. Taught Washington constitutional law at Seattle University Law School; distinguished jurist in residence at the school. City of residence: Gig Harbor Age on Election Day, Nov. 4: 63 Website: www.charlesjohnsonforjustice.com Email: charlesjohnson2014@comcast.net
Eddie Yoon Legal/ judicial experience: Assistant prosecutor for Tacoma, prosecuted DUI cases; arbitrator, Pierce County Court; adviser on international arbitrations; professor of U.S. constitutional law, Ewha Women’s Law School, Seoul, South Korea. City of residence: University Place Age on Election Day, Nov. 4: 66 Website: None listed. Email: eddieyoon65@naver.com
Education: Seattle University Law School; University of Washington; Curtis High School, Tacoma.
Education: Lincoln High School, Tacoma, 1966; Grays Harbor Junior College; Pacific Lutheran University, 1970; University of Washington Law School, 1974; CLEO legal fellow.
Community service: Washington Trails Association; Pierce County Food Bank; Pierce County Prayer Breakfast; YMCA Youth Programs.
Community service: Pro bono work for Koreans and others.
Statement: I understand our rights and freedoms. My 24-year record shows my commitment to individual privacy and holding government accountable. Lawyers’ groups rate Justice Johnson “exceptionally well-qualified.”
Statement: Unlike most judges, I have had real life experiences. First Korean-American attorney in the Northwest. As a Supreme Court justice, I will try to continue to educate young people regarding the legal systems in Washington and the intrinsic value of our U.S. Constitution.
Position No. 7 John “Zamboni” Scannell Legal/ judicial experience: Former attorney disbarred by the state Supreme Court in 2010 for obstructing the Washington State Bar’s investigation into his relationships with several clients. The majority opinion was written by Justice Debra Stephens, whom he now opposes in this election. Case law, according to legal scholars, suggests that a disbarred lawyer cannot be seated on the Supreme Court.
Debra L. Stephens Legal/ judicial experience: Supreme Court justice since January 2008; statewide trial and appellate practice, including more than 120 appearances before the state Supreme Court; judge of Division 3, Court of Appeals, before joining the Supreme Court; Minority and Justice Commission member; adjunct professor, Gonzaga Law School, since 1995. City of residence: Spokane Valley
City of residence: Bremerton
Age on Election Day, Nov. 4: 49
Age on Election Day, Nov. 4: 61
Website: justicedebrastephens.com
Website: None listed. Email: zamboni_john@hotmail.com Education: Graduated with honors at Renton High School; graduated with honors at University of Washington with major in physics, minor in mathematics; second person to complete the state law clerk program in the minimum of four years. Community service: Performed pro bono legal work for low-income clients and prisoners. Statement: [I have] been one of the few attorneys in the state that have actively been supporting the American Bar Association’s longstanding criticism of the Washington attorney disciplinary system. I will protect the rights of Washington citizens with decisions that are intelligent, just and ethical.
Email: justicedebrastephens@gmail. com Education: Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor, Gonzaga University, Spokane; West Valley High, Spokane. Community service: Former school board director; Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital fundraising volunteer; Rotary board member. Statement: Since becoming a justice in 2008, I have dedicated myself to serving the people of this state and upholding the rule of law. As the only current justice from Eastern Washington, I bring an important perspective to the court. As a longtime constitutional law professor, I respect legal traditions. And as a mom, former school board member and community volunteer, I understand how court decisions impact Washington families.
PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
North Olympic Peninsula
VOTER GUIDE
FOR THE ELECTION ENDING NOVEMBER 4, 2014
27
Washington state
Initiative 1351: school class sizes track and obligated to reduce class sizes in those grades that THE ASSOCIATED PRESS matter the most,” Lund said. He would rather see any extra Initiative Measure No. 1351 concerns K-12 education. This Education advocates in Washmoney spent on longer school measure would direct the legislature to allocate funds to reduce ington state are pushing a meadays and years, more help for class sizes and increase staffing support for students in all K-12 sure limiting class sizes, but kids who are just learning Enggrades, with additional class-size reductions and staffing increases opponents worry that the initiain high-poverty schools. lish, support and training for tive on the November ballot could make a bad budget situateachers, better pay for teachers, Should this measure be enacted into law?: tion worse. and early learning. Lawmakers are already Lund said he isn’t even con{ Yes scrambling to find cash to put vinced the initiative really would more money into a series of edushrink class sizes because some { No cation reforms under the state school districts don’t have the Supreme Court’s McCleary decispace to add more classes, even sion. with portable structures. They have already committed ers have given mixed reviews, But the state Office of FinanIn addition to class size reducto shrinking class sizes in kinder- cial Management, in an analysis saying it makes a difference for tion, the McCleary decision is garten through third grade, as learning in younger grades but of the fiscal impact of Initiative also supposed to give every kid one result of that lawsuit. isn’t as clear a benefit in middle 1351, determined the measure free all-day kindergarten, provide Mary Howes of Class Size and high school. would eventually cost the state Counts said the class size reduc- about $2 billion a year in addimore instructional hours for high tions required by the education school students to help them tional education funds to pay for Force Legislature’s hand reforms already passed by the earn 24 credits to graduate, fully thousands more teachers and Jami Lund, who works for the Legislature mirror those in the pay for pupil transportation with other school staff. conservative Freedom Foundainitiative. That would be on top of the tion but is advocating against the state dollars, fund a new formula The point of the initiative is to for school staffing levels and offer $2 billion to $3 billion a year the initiative as a private citizen, make sure class sizes are part of more state support for school Legislature is already seeking for believes the measure would force basic education funding and are equipment and supplies. education reform under the the Legislature’s hand on the not overlooked when lawmakers Washington voters overMcCleary decision. school budget and could make find money to pay for education whelmingly approved another Opponents think the state class size reductions one of the reform, she said. class size reduction initiative in only education reforms that get could find better ways to spend “This would be a lasting 2000, and 14 years later, law$2 billion than on shrinking class paid for. improvement for Washington sizes, an idea for which researchkids,” Howes said. “The Legislature is already on makers are just starting to pay BY DONNA GORDON BLANKINSHIP
Initiative Measure No. 1351
Advisory Vote No. 9
/continued from Page 25
In the case of Advisory Vote No. 9, voters are asked their opinion on a noncontroversial bill, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1287, that imposed the state leasehold excise tax on property owned by tribes in lieu of state and local property taxes. The bill passed the House by a 61-37 vote and the Senate by a 37-12 vote, and was signed by Gov. Jay Inslee on April 3. The 24th District state representatives, Kevin Van De Wege and Steve Tharinger, voted for the
measure, as did state Sen. Jim Hargrove of the 24th District. Among its provisions, the bill: ■ Defines economic development as “commercial activities, including those that facilitate the creation or retention of businesses or jobs, or that improve the standard of living or economic health of tribal communities.” ■ Applies only to property owned by a tribe before March 1, 2014. ■ Limits the exemption to
tribes located within Washington state. ■ Extends the leasehold excise tax to exempt tribal property. ■ Establishes a payment in lieu of leasehold excise taxes, or PILT, if the tribe does not lease the property to another party. The PILT is negotiated between the tribe and the county in which the property is located and cannot exceed what would otherwise be owed as a leasehold excise tax.
If the tribe and the county cannot agree on an amount, the state Department of Revenue may determine the amount. The PILT is distributed as if a leasehold excise tax had been levied. ■ Requires the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee in Olympia to complete an economic impact report by Dec. 1, 2020. ■ Provides for an expiration for the exemption on Jan. 1, 2022.
that bill as part of their McCleary efforts. This initiative is different, in both its scope and the way it was written. Initiative 1351 would set lower class sizes at every grade level. The previous initiative focused on the youngest grades. Howes said she doesn’t agree that research is mixed on the topic, but either way, she says it’s common sense that students would be more successful if teachers have time to give them individual help when they need it.
‘Helps all students’ “The thing about class size is that it helps all students,” Howes said. Class sizes also are not consistent across the state because some districts can afford to hire more teachers with local levy dollars, Howes said, adding that she believes all kids across the state deserve to have reasonable class sizes. “What concerns me is the lack of focus on what’s right for kids. I haven’t heard anyone argue that our students should be in larger classes,” she said.
Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1287 The Legislature imposed, without a vote of the people, the leasehold excise tax on certain leasehold interests in tribal property, costing an estimated $1,298,000 in the first ten years, for government spending. This tax increase should be: { Repealed { Maintained
28 FOR THE ELECTION ENDING NOVEMBER 4, 2014
North Olympic Peninsula
VOTER GUIDE
PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Washington state
Initiatives 591 and 594: pertaining to firearms BY RACHEL LA CORTE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Buy a gun today in Washington state and a background check is required only if the gun is purchased from a licensed dealer. Whether those checks should be expanded to include private transactions has led to two rival ballot measures before voters this fall. The competing measures are bringing in millions of dollars, so far mostly in support of Initiative 594. That measure, which has received some of its biggest donations from prominent figures like Microsoft co-founders Bill Gates and Paul Allen, is seeking universal background checks on gun sales and transfers, with some exceptions. Initiative 591, backed by the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, would prevent any such expansion from occurring, prohibiting government agencies from conducting any checks beyond the national standard.
Federal law Under federal law, checks are required for sales or transfers by licensed dealers but not for purchases from private sellers who sell at gun shows or online. I-591 also seeks to prohibit confiscation of firearms without due process. Todd Donovan, a political scientist at Western Washington University, said proponents of universal background checks in other states could gain momentum if they win in Washington state. “There are groups outside of the state that are pushing this as part of a national campaign,” he said.
Initiative Measure No. 591 Initiative Measure No. 591 concerns firearms. This measure would prohibit government agencies from confiscating guns or other firearms from citizens without due process, or from requiring background checks on firearm recipients unless a uniform national standard is required.
Initiative Measure No. 594 Initiative Measure No. 594 concerns background checks for firearm sales and transfers. This measure would apply currently used criminal and public safety background checks by licensed dealers to all firearm sales and transfers, including gun show and online sales, with specific exceptions.
Should this measure be enacted into law?:
Should this measure be enacted into law?:
{ Yes
{ Yes
{ No
{ No
“If you succeed here, maybe you have a shot in some other states.” Only six states — California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, New York, Rhode Island — plus Washington, D.C., currently require universal background checks for all sales and transfers of all firearms, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Other states have varying laws on expansion beyond what federal law requires, including Oregon, which requires a background check for purchases of firearms at gun shows. Both I-594 and I-591 started out as initiatives to the Legislature, and Gabby Giffords testified before lawmakers in Olympia earlier this year in support of the expanded checks. Once lawmakers didn’t take action, the measures advanced to the November ballot.
Wealthy donors Supporters of I-594 have raised nearly $8 million, with several large donations coming from wealthy proponents, including former Microsoft CEO and Los Angeles Clippers owner
Steve Ballmer and his wife, and venture capitalist Nick Hanauer. Everytown for Gun Safety, a group funded by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, also has made a $1 million donation. Initiative 591 supporters have raised just over $1 million, and have not been endorsed by the National Rifle Association. The NRA is actively working against I-594, but its financial presence in the state has been a fraction of what has been spent by the proponents of I-594.
Firearms transfers Opponents take the most issue with the language surrounding transfers. The measure includes exceptions for emergency gun transfers concerning personal safety, gifts between family members, antiques and loans for hunting. “It criminalizes lawful behavior, that’s the real problem with it,” said Alan Gottlieb, chairman for Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, who is leading the campaign for I-591. I-594’s sponsor, Cheryl Stumbo, was wounded during a
2006 shooting at the Jewish Federation in Seattle that killed one woman and injured others. Naveed Haq, who had passed a background check, is serving a life sentence for the shooting. Stumbo said the need for I-594 isn’t diminished just because it wouldn’t have prevented that shooting. “It’s like saying we shouldn’t have seat belt laws because not everyone will get in an accident,” she said. “Will it prevent every criminal that is bound and determined to get a gun? No. But it will deter a lot of them.” The most recent poll conducted this summer showed strong support among voters for I-594 and less than 50 percent support for I-591. Thirty-two percent of respondents in that same poll said they were inclined to vote for both initiatives.
What if both pass? The Secretary of State’s Office has said that if both pass, either the Legislature or the courts will have to sort it out. Kurt Heikkila of Tenino said he plans to register to vote soon
in order to vote against I-594 because he believes the measure goes too far. While the initiative exempts antique guns made on or before 1898, Heikkila likes to buy historical firearms from beyond that date from online sites. “The way the initiative is written, I could no longer be on those forums and freely trade or sell and buy without it going through a background check, which is not free,” he said. Heikkila, who has a concealed pistol license and has gone through background checks for purchases before, said that he believes the potential infringement of gun owners’ rights is too great compared to the unknown number of crimes it might stop. “This is a slippery slope,” said Heikkila. Hank Carson, a biologist in Olympia who is voting for I-594, said he is unmoved by arguments made by opponents. “Why require background checks for some sales and not others?” he asked. “Some inconvenience and added paperwork is a small price to pay if just one incident would be prevented by this initiative.”