PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
North Olympic Peninsula VOTER GUIDE
FOR THE ELECTION ENDING NOVEMBER 3, 2015
19
Clallam County
Park and Recreation District 1 (Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center) What is your position on creating a metropolitan park district that would consist of more facilities than the Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center? Goodman: Great idea, but my job first is to ensure SARC stays open. My job as commissioner is to choose the option (e.g., YMCA partnership, another SARC levy attempt, possibly a broad-based metropolitan park district, etc.) that gives SARC the best chance of success in its attempt to cover the financial shortfall and stay open for the long term. Jeffers: I would vote in favor of an MPD that would include all city parks, high school tennis courts and the aquatic recreation center. This vote would come with expectations of improvements to current parks and the hope for construction of new public tennis courts at Carrie Blake Park. With SARC’s growing deficit, from what source or sources would you derive the funding to keep the facility open? Goodman: Any source that is not illegal, immoral or fattening. Jeffers: I’d increase dues by 40 percent, eliminate discounts and exemptions, and implement initiation fees, card fees and late fees. These fees are common in all for-profit gyms. In addition, try selling naming rights to the building and making some exploratory calls to 24-Hour Fitness, LA Fitness and Gold’s Gym to see if there is any interest in obtaining a location on the Olympic Peninsula. Longer-term funding is possible by expanded participation in an MPD.
About the job CLALLAM COUNTY PARK AND RECREATION DISTRICT 1 (SARC) Partisan or nonpartisan: Nonpartisan General election boundaries: The city of Sequim, all or parts of the communities of Agnew, Bell Hill, Blue Mountain, Blyn, Carlsborg, Diamond Point, Dungeness, Happy Valley, Jamestown, Robin Hill and SunLand in Clallam County. Boundaries include residents in the Port Angeles ZIP code. Same precincts as Sequim School District except for one precinct in Jefferson County. Voters: 21,961 as of Sept. 23 (same as Sequim School District in Clallam County) Term: Four years Meetings: Second Wednesdays Compensation: None Duties: Pass an annual budget that in 2015 is $1.2 million and covers wages for 74 employees, all but two of whom are part time; hire an executive director; set policies and rates for the Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center and issue general obligation bonds; and levy taxes. How would you address the failing ventilation, heating and air conditioning system at SARC? Goodman: Ensure proper preventative and/or corrective maintenance continues to be employed. Jeffers: I would suggest investigating a business-equity loan through a bank, a credit repayment plan through the company that is contracted for the work, a February bond measure just for repairs or closing the pool and adding covered tennis courts in its place, funded with a possible expanded MPD. I would also explore the possibility of state or federal grant
money set aside for health, wellness and exercise. What would you do to increase SARC membership? Goodman: Worry first about the most immediate concern: keeping SARC open. First things first. Jeffers: With over 3,000 members, I’m not convinced increased membership is the answer. However, this could be done with some targeted marketing, sign-up specials and corporate sponsorships. Special events would also generate new interest and bring in additional funding. PLEASE
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Gill Goodman
William Jeffers
Residence: Sequim
Residence: Sequim
Phone: 360-683-5346
Phone: 360-670-6961
Email: gillo@olypen.com
Email: monty@olypen.com
Campaign website: None
Campaign website: None
Age as of Nov. 3, Election Day: 74
Age as of Nov. 3, Election Day: 46
Education: Bachelor’s degree, engineering, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, Conn., 1963; master’s degree, electrical engineering, U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif., 1969
Education: Bachelor’s degree in marketing and human resource management
Occupation: Retired Coast Guard captain Have you ever run for or held public office? SARC commissioner, 2010-present
Occupation: Retired banker Have you ever run for or held public office? No