The Chronicle • Nov. 23, 2011 •
www.omakchronicle.com
BEST
SCENIC VIEW
Key to success: Being honest and ethical
— NORTH
By Cheryl Schweizer The Chronicle
Dee Camp/The Chronicle
The panorama from Sherman Pass was voted the top scenic view in north Okanogan Country by Chronicle readers.
Lawyer Graham specializes in American Indian rights Law practice winner travels across Eastern Washington By Zachary Van Brunt The Chronicle REPUBLIC – For nine years, Steve Graham has been practicing law, specializing in American Indian rights, from his offices in Republic in Spokane. But he’ll take clients from all over the region, including Okanogan, Ferry, Stevens, Grant, Spokane and Adams counties. “I kind of put a lot of miles on my car,” he said. Graham, who won The Chronicle’s 2011 “Best of” award for Best Law Practice in north Okanogan Country, also spent a term as Ferry County prosecutor, then a deputy prosecutor in Seattle. “I take a few cases in a lot of
Al Camp/The Chronicle
Steven Graham makes a point during a criminal trial. counties,” the 42-year-old lawyer said. “If you want to specialize in criminal defense, it really requires you to hit the
road. The farther it goes from home, the more serious and more interesting the cases get.” Graham’s passion is to fight for American Indian laws, including jurisdictional and sovereignty issues. “When I was in law school, Indian law wasn’t a mandatory class and it wasn’t even on the bar,” he said. “I’ve had to teach it to myself and it hasn’t been easy. I think a lot of prosecutors have shied away from it because it can be complex.” While he travels a lot, he does try to make it home each night to his wife, Toni Lembke, and his 7-year-old son in Republic. He also has a 20-year-old son in Seattle. On those occasions he doesn’t make it, there’s always a back-up plan: “I do have a favorite hotel in every town,” he said. Graham graduated from Western Connecticut State University with a degree in
English literature. He then attended Gonzaga University for his law degree. Right out of law school, he interned in Ferry County when now-Superior Court Judge Allen Nielson was the prosecutor. “He is a very good public defender,” Nielson said. “He always looks out for his clients, and he’s an outstanding advocate. And I don’t say that lightly.” “I think that win or lose, people like my passion,” Graham said. “I’m mostly nuts about criminal defense. I think about it 24/7. I’m a really competitive person. “He does an outstanding job,” Nielson said. “I’m happy that he’s won such an award and he’s very deserving of it. He does a good job whether it’s a simple minor in possession or something to do with a troubled child or teenager in family court, all the way up to a murder case.”
Involvement is important By Sheila Corson The Chronicle OMAK – Community involvement has been a key ingredient for success at RE/MAX Welcome Home real estate. The business, 215 N. Main St., earned the “Best of award” for real estate in the north Okanogan Country. “We have a vested interest in our area,” agent Monica Giovacchini said. “Besides us personally, the business does a lot, too.” That has meant sponsoring sport teams, Rotary and chamber membership; giving levy support; Okanogan County Fair participation and more. Agent Kory Heindselman also is an Okanogan School Board member. Giovacchini said some folks also drop by just for help making decisions about buying and selling their homes. “We depend upon cultivating a good reputation,” Heindselman said. Much of the firm’s business is repeat business and referrals to friends and family. That has put it on top not only in “Best of,” but also in the Northwest Multiple Listing Services for the area.
News • C3
BREWSTER – Honesty and ethics are keys to success in the real estate business. Good customer service and transparency also figure in, Land Co. owner Mark Miller said. Land Co., 416 N. Bridge St., was voted the best real estate agency in south Okanogan Country in The Chronicle’s 2011 “Best of.” “The key to (success) is being honest and ethical,” Miller said. If a real estate agent keeps a transaction transparent, customers on both sides will be satisfied, he said. Real estate agents need to know both buyer and seller, so they can meet the needs of both parties, he said. Miller said he was worried, at the beginning of the computer age, that technology would have a negative impact on real estate agents. Actually, “it’s only helped our business,” he said. There are many things people don’t think or know about when buying property, Miller said. “Just because a piece of property sits along the road, doesn’t mean you can get to it,” he said. The land may not have road access rights. There may be unforeseen issues with water rights, size and configuration of septic drain fields, existing property features such as underground storage tanks or an older house that may have lead-based paint. Potential buyers may not be ready to deal with all those complications on their own, he said. “We do employ our expertise,” Miller said. When talking with potential buyers, “my first question is what don’t they want,” Miller said. That knowledge helps steer a buyer toward land, a residence or business that will work for them, he said. Miller received his real estate license in 1980 and founded Land Company in 1986, he said. He owns the business with his wife, Karol, and employs agents Rich Burgett and Mark
“ I really like what I do. It’s very interesting and full of surprises. There’s a new twist every day. Mark Miller
” Worth in Brewster and Phil Lund in Pateros. “I was interested in why things were located where they were,” he said. He graduated from University of Washington with degrees in rural land development, and urban and regional planning. “I really like what I do. It’s very interesting and full of surprises. There’s a new twist every day,” Miller said.
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Thank you for your continued support during and after my location change. Thanks for voting us “Best of” 2011 Pet Care
Heather’s Dog Grooming 1068 S. 2nd Ave., Okanogan • 509-826-5541
Sheila Corson/The Chronicle
Summer Olson, from left, Monica Giovacchini and Kory Heindselman are three-quarters of the Re/Max staff. Not pictured is Bob Butler. The firm typically handles about a third of sales in the central county, Heindselman said. The office, formerly known as Okanogan Valley Realty, has been in operation for 17 years with both Giovacchini and Heindselman as agents. They also employ agent Bob
Voted “Best Of ” Dentistry, North Okanogan County. Thank you to the best family of patients for your confidence and support. It’s our privilege to serve each of you!
826-4050 • 1-800-870-4057 www.grillodds.com 739 Haussler Road, Omak
Butler and office manager Summer Olson. In 17 years, they have managed more than 1,700 sales. Heindselman said one of the best parts of the job is helping a family find a dream home. “We’re not in this just to make a sale, we’re in this to find a home for our clients – we
want them to be happy,” he said.
A heartfelt thank you to our customers for their support and continued service!