A Voter’s Guide to Okanogan and Ferry Counties. A Supplement to The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle October 17, 2012
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2012 Okanogan and Ferry County Voters’ Guide
The general election is Nov. 6. To help voters make their selections, The Chronicle asked candidates for local offices several questions. Their unedited answers follow.
Okanogan County commissioner, District No. 1 Sheilah Kennedy Age: 51 Town of residence: Okanogan Current occupation: Selfemployed-owner/operator, S-K Environmental Experience/education: Graduated from Oak Harbor High School 1979, cosmetology college 1979; Okanogan County Noxious Weed Control manager, 15 years; legislative assistant for Rep. Joel Kretz; past president and board member of National Weed Organization; industry representative for Montana State University invasive plants program.
Albert Roberts Age: 56 Town of residence: Omak Current occupation: Coowner of Pine Stump Farms LLC Experience/education: Born and raised on North Dakota wheat, beef and dairy farm; 1988-2000 Track Repair, Omak, owneroperator, welding/fabrication, heavy equipment repair;1986-1988 Arrow Lakes Logging; Okanogan County Planning Commission, Okanogan Conservation District; Washington Association of Conservation Districts, Washington State Democrat Ag and Rural Caucus, Okanogan County Economic Development Council, U.S. Forest Service Provincial Advisory Committee, U.S. Navy, Slow Food Okanogan, Okanogan County Cattlemen’s Association, Okanogan Grange, Washington
Family: Shared the last 10 years with Jeff Delfeld; two daughters; one grandson, one granddaughter Political party: Republican
Kennedy Q. What can the county do to minimize conflicts between wolves, and county residents and their animals? A. Give the responsibility back to the people to manage. We need to make this a top priority before more loss occurs and before Tilth Producers; Washington State University, bachelor of science in natural resource management – forestry and range; Wenatchee Valley College, associate of arts Roberts and sciences; Washington Ag Forestry Leadership Foundation; Clark College, welding and diesel technician Family: Partner Carey Hunter; four grown children, seven grandchildren Political party: Democrat Q. What can the county do to minimize conflicts between wolves, and county residents and their animals? A. The commissioners need to
someone or a child gets killed. We need to take control back of our county and lead instead of following decisions being made that have such a negative impact on us and our livelihood. The county needs to be working at the Olympia level to require change of the state’s plan for wolf recovery policy. The wolves will kill, they have no boundaries; it is up to us to set those boundaries through actions and policy. Perhaps we need to introduce a pair in the Olympia or Seattle area? Q. What are your budget/spending priorities? A. None. My priorities will be to take the lead in building the coalition of stakeholders in the state to effectively change the state law to delist the wolf for management, including to provide true value funding for predation compensation and non-lethal intervention. Q. What are your budget/spending priorities? A. Balancing the need for required services, wants of county residents, and unforeseen expenses with the revenues brought in, without raising current or implementing new taxes. Q. What’s your position on construction near airports in the county? A. There needs to be restriction on residential construction within the direct approach and turn radius zones as set forth by the Federal
cut unnecessary spending, run the county budgets as conservative as we do our own checkbooks. Q. What’s your position on construction near airports in the county? A. We were directly impacted by the commissioners’ decision to have a blanket airport moratorium. It was a great example of lack of leadership when the county can set a moratorium that stops construction of a building in progress and any future building. In this situation there were less than 10 landowners. Why couldn’t a letter be sent to the adjacent landowners with information of the issues and seek
comments instead of moratorium that shuts everything down? We need to promote communication between the county and the landowners not take their voice away. We need to make sure our pilots and passengers are safe, and address safety issues as they do with the large airports that fly over metropolitan areas all over the United States. Large cities seem to have a plan in place for growth around airports that doesn’t limit building. They may have height limitations, yet they don’t seem to shut building down all together. I’m sure in rural areas we can do the same.
Aviation Administration. If new residential construction is conducted within the outside turn radius approach zone (approximately one-quarter to one-
half mile) there needs to be a notice on the deed that this property is within an airport zone and landowner accepts the responsibility of living in that zone.
2012 Okanogan and Ferry County Voters’ Guide ©2012 The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle Owned and operated by Eagle Newspapers Inc. 618 Okoma Drive, Omak, WA 98841 P.O. Box 553, Omak, WA 98841 Roger Harnack, editor and publisher Cary Rosenbaum, project editor • Dee Camp, layout Lynn Hoover, advertising manager 509-826-1110 • 800-572-3446 Fax: 509-826-5819 www.omakchronicle.com Cover design: Katie Montanez
Ad paid for by the Committee to Elect Steve Houston 103 Barnholt Loop, Okanogan
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2012 Okanogan and Ferry County Voters’ Guide
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Okanogan County commissioner, District No. 2 Ray Campbell Age: 61 Town of residence: Carlton Current occupation: Cattle rancher, owner and broker of North Cross State Realty Inc. II, Twisp Experience/education: I have lived my entire life in Okanogan County. I was born here in the Brewster hospital, raised on a cattle ranch in the lower Methow Valley at Gold Creek and graduated from Pateros High School. I went to work at the sawmill in Twisp when I turned 18. When I was 19, I moved to Brewster, bought my first home and went to work in construction at Grand Coulee Dam. After the end of construction at Grand Coulee Dam, I moved back to my old family ranch at Gold Creek, where I raised my family. I continued to work construction along with operating my own carpentry business until the early ’90s, when I then purchased North Cross State Realty in the upper Methow Valley, which I still own. I also own and manage my family Ranch at Gold Creek, raising cattle and horses. My lifetime of agriculture related business, cattle and horse ranch together with many associated activities, gives me the knowledge and understanding of the ins and outs of the ranching business. My business experience gives me the
Don R. “Bud” Hover Age: 57 Town of residence: Winthrop Current occupation: Farmer, county commissioner Experience/education: Eight years as county commissioner; bachelor of science in ag education/forestry and range management, Washington State University; master of public administration, University of Washington Family: Wife Tonya, sons Andy and Wes, three grandchildren Political party: Republican Q. What can the county do to minimize conflicts between wolves, and county residents and their animals? A. The best thing Okanogan County can do is to continue to press the state to delist the wolf. Wolves are not in danger of becoming extinct and giving them an artificial protection ties the hands of WDFW to manage the wolves in balance with other game species and the cattle industry. Q. What are your budget/spending priorities? A. Commissioners are tasked with protecting the “health, welfare and safety” of
knowledge and understanding of the importance of the laws and rights of ownership and control of both real and personal property. I have dealt with budgets and accounting as a business owner over many years, and know how important it is to work Campbell hard and make tough choices. It is not unreasonable to expect that the county must be accountable and live within its means just as families and businesses do. Family: Son and daughter; foster son and daughter; four grandchildren Political party: Republican Q. What can the county do to minimize conflicts between wolves, and county residents and their animals? A. I take a strong stand in opposition to the introduction of the wolves in Okanogan County, and demand the delisting of these wolves on both the state and federal levels. I will coordinate with other elected officials to make that happen. But taking a stand is not enough with the threats that face our county; it also requires strong action. As commissioner, I would call for full the county residents, as such making sure that we have adequate resources for our sheriff’s department, juvenile, jail and courts is essential. Making sure there are adequate resources for our roads is a priority. Insuring funding for other departments so they may Hover provide an adequate level of service to the people of the county will be achieved. Q. What’s your position on construction near airports in the county? A. Our municipal airports are a critical piece of infrastructure for our cities and the county. We don not want to do anything to compromise their ability to function properly, and we don not want to do anything that might lead to the loss of one of these facilities. At this time we have a group of individuals on the Airport Advisory Committee that are studying this and bringing recommendations to the county commissioners. Commissioner Jim DeTro, a pilot himself for many years, serves on this committee.
coordination with the county by the agencies as they are required to do, which would bring an open forum and accountability directly to the people of this county on the many questions that have not been answered, such as safety and economic impacts. As the rapid migration of wolves brings threats and losses to us we need a workable within-county reporting system for people who are impacted. We cannot rely on a sole-purpose agency to report the truth and without truth we cannot have change. Q. What are your budget/spending priorities? A. The county is required by law to balance its budget. The commissioners will have to first of all find out what our projected revenue is going to be for this next year, and then coordinate with all of the county agencies to get a projection of their wants, and actual needs. Then sit down with the heads of these departments and prioritize the actual needs with the dollar resources that are available. The commissioners’ first and main priority is for the health, safety and welfare of the citizens. Because our commissioners have not stopped the continuing sale of the private lands to the state agencies within our county, the tax base of this county is continuing to
Q. What’s your position on construction near airports in the county? A. It is my position that all facts must be carefully reviewed before any action is taken that impacts private landowners and that in order to regulate, government must identify the harm they are trying to prevent; the harm must be real, not perceived; and the regulation must be proportional to the harm you are trying to prevent. I believe the six-month building moratorium passed by my opponent was a rush to judgment without consideration of all the facts. It took two meetings and four public hearings before he realized that the county did not have sufficient grounds to impose the moratorium. That is the wrong approach. Building around airports is an important issue that we must deal with after the comprehensive plan is completed to direct the zoning public process. We need input from the people of this county as we review the facts—not my opponent’s top-down approach.
RE-ELECT Robert (Bob) L.
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Voter registration deadlines: Nov. 6 — last day to mail in voter registration Nov. 8 — last day for online voter registration, www.sos.wa.gov For more information: Okanogan and Ferry counties’ auditors
decrease, leaving the tax burden on the shrinking private ownership within our county. This has to stop. No more “I won’t get in the way of a willing buyer and a willing seller” excuse.
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2012 Okanogan and Ferry County Voters’ Guide
Okanogan County Public Utility District commissioner, District No. 2 Trish Butler Age: 59 Town of residence: Okanogan Experience/education: My career was in municipal government for 30 years, the last 15 of which were with the city of Omak as finance director at which time I retired upon being elected as PUD commissioner in 2006. I received several commendations through the Washington State Finance Officers Association. and Washington Municipal Clerks Association for budget and finance reporting. I presently serve as PUD Board President as well as Board representative to the Washington Public Utility Association and also serve as vice president on the Public Utility Risk Management, a self-insurance pool. I am well respected by public power constituents as
Steve Houston Age: 53 Town of residence: Okanogan Current occupation: Engineer Experience/education: Over the last 29 years, I has worked as an engineer and entrepreneur in the controlled atmosphere industry, cryogenic air separation, and oil and gas. Houston has done project management, operations, and financial oversight for companies in the Pacific Northwest, Texas, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, China, Honduras, and Turkey.
knowledgeable about public power issues and concerns. Family: My husband Bob Butler is real estate salesman for Remax Welcome Home. We enjoy our Butler seven grandchildren and their parents Jason and Signe Butler and Brent and Jennifer Heindselman. Political party: Non-partisan position Should the PUD continue to pursue relicensing of Enloe Dam? Why? The Enloe Project will generate an average of 45 Gwh annually and the value of the power is estimated at 2.6 million annually. The generation will be a source of clean, renewable and sustainable “I’ve spent my career working in energy intensive industries, on large projects, I feel I’ve reached a level where my experience could be useful to the PUD” and “It is Houston important that the commissioners have the depth of experience required of the employees they oversee” Family: Did not provide Political party: Non-partisan position Should the PUD continue to
hydropower for Okanogan residents. The final permit necessary to obtain FERC licensing for the Enloe Dam project is the 401 Water Quality permit from the Department of Ecology. The permit has been approved, however, it has been appealed by an environmental coalition and a hearing has been set for early in 2013 before the water pollution board. Assuming the PUD and the Dept. of Ecology will prevail before the hearings board we can finalize the costs on the PM & E’s (protection, mitigation, and enhancement measures) as well as any other conditions that may be required by the underlying owner the Bureau of Land Management. At that time the Board of Commissioners will be in a position to go forward with a decision about how to proceed with the Enloe Dam project.
What can be done to stabilize rates? Okanogan PUD ratepayers enjoy stable rates right now. Okanogan PUD ratepayers had their first rate increase in nearly 8 years and currently have the 4th lowest rates in the State of Washington. Should those utilities that generate their own power be taken out of the mix Okanogan PUD has the lowest rates in the State of Washington. I believe that the decisions of the Board of Commissioners need to be made not only for today but also for the future based on sound business and operating principles and take advantage of any and all operating efficiency opportunities.
pursue relicensing of Enloe Dam? Why? Current economic conditions make the Enloe Dam project uneconomical. Surplus power sales from Wells Dam are not meeting projections. It is unlikely this situation will change in the short term. I favor scaling back our relicensing efforts, but still maintain our rights to develop the project. This will allow us to develop the project when the economy recovers but lowering our current rate of borrowing.
purchase of wind power. Reduce spending and lower operating costs with a cooperative effort from all employees (union & non-union). If a positive work environment is restored, the employees will lead the effort to streamline the PUD operations. If current management practices prevail, overhead will continue to swell, moral will continue to decline, and rates will continue to rise.
What can be done to stabilize rates? Stop using our “rate stabilization fund” to subsidize the
Should the PUD continue pursuing the Pateros to Twisp transmission line along its current proposed route or look at another route? Should
Should the PUD continue pursuing the Pateros to Twisp transmission line along its current proposed route or look at another route? Should the Loup Loup line be
the Loup Loup line be replaced instead? Absolutely the Pateros Twisp should be constructed and I will cite the most recent threat to the existing Loup Loup transmission line was the Oden fire. If the fire had taken out the Loup Loup line constructed in 1948, residents in the Methow area would have been without power for several months. The issue of where the route for the PT line was extensively vetted through a public and environmental process and the route chosen prior to my election as Commissioner in 2006. In summary, an additional line was chosen to be constructed for the sake of redundant service and the benefit of additional line of service to the Methow area instead of one single transmission line. I believe that in the next year right of way easements will be obtained and construction can begin. replaced instead? The Pateros to Twisp transmission line has been proposed and studied numerous times and every time is shown to be the superior option. Recent fires on the Loup and the lower Methow Valley demonstrate the need for a looped system which can supply power during an outage in either branch. Repairing the Loup Loup line alone does not offer this benefit. Completing the Pateros to Twisp line would allow us to deenergize the Loup Loup line while repairing it. It is the responsibility of the PUD to provide safe, reliable, low cost power. This is a perfect example of government sticking to its core values.
Some positions draw a single candidate The Chronicle Three candidates run unopposed on this year’s election ballot. They are District 7 Rep. Shelly Short, District 12 Sen. Linda Evans Parlette, and Superior Court Position No. 2 Chris Culp. Short, a republican, is finishing her second term representing the 7th District, which includes Ferry, Lincoln, Pend Oreille and Stevens
counties and parts of Okanogan and Spokane Counties. Parlette, a republican, has represented District 12 since 2001, and has been the minority caucus chair since 2006. Culp is seeking election for a full term after being appointed and assuming the duties of the second position as Okanogan County Superior Court Judge in 2011. He has served as a district court judge since 1987.
Shelly Short (R)
Linda Evans Parlette (R)
7th District Position 1 Age: 50 Location: Addy Family: Husband Mitch, two children. Short Education: Spokane Community College and Eastern Washington University
12th District Senator Age: 67 Location: Wenatchee Family: Husband Bob, five children. Parlette Education: Washington State University
Chris Culp Superior Court Position 2 Age: 57 Location: Okanogan Family: Husband Mitch, children Trevor and Brianna Family: Wife Peg Culp Callaway, two children Education: University Washington, Gonzaga University
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2012 Okanogan and Ferry County Voters’ Guide
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Ferry County commissioner, District No. 1 Johnna Exner Age: 59 Town of residence: Curlew Current occupation: Coowner of Morning Star Ranch Experience/education: My husband and I have been ranching in Ferry County since 1976; we have also operated businesses in construction, logging and fire suppression; liberal arts degree with further education from Colorado State University In working with people in Stevens and Okanogan counties on GMA and property rights I have helped established for Ferry County: • The Code of the West, a resolution that explains what to expect when you live in a rural county • Updated our “Right to Farm” ordinance to the “Right to Farm, Ranch and Practice Forestry”
Brad Miller Age: 59 Town of residence: Curlew Current occupation: County Commissioner Experience/education: Graduate of Curlew High School; College/Associate of Arts Degree; Graduate of Washington State Patrol Academy; worked in timber industry/ Worked in mining industry/ Raised on a cattle ranch/ 28 years as a Washington State Trooper. Family: Married with 5 children and 5 grandchildren Political party: Republican
ordinance I am a member of Washington State Farm Bureau and endorsed by Farm Bureau PAC, Ferry County Planning Commission, Exner Eagle Cliff Grange, Ferry County Accessible Voting Advisory Committee Family: Husband Lou; three children; one granddaughter Political party: Republican Q. With Kinross’ projected closing in 2015, what should the county be doing to attract new businesses and future jobs? A. The fiber optics build that is going in now will be an attraction for new businesses as well as home
Q. With Kinross’ projected closing in 2015, what should the county be doing to attract new businesses Miller and future jobs? A. I have been working to get high speed fiber optics into Ferry County for some time. I am happy to report (and most of you know) the construction crews are
based jobs. In the past we have had small businesses — such as a call center that would have brought in 30 to 40 jobs — interested in locating in the area, but they needed high speed internet. Rural business tax initiatives would also attract new business and encourage existing business expansion. By fostering a favorable environment for new and existing business we can expand opportunities here. First and foremost Ferry County needs to support the mine in acquiring the permits it needs to continue to do business in the county. We need to rebuild our forest industry as well. Timber sales need to be opened up for the health of the forest as well as our local economy. Q. What should the county currently in Republic. It is scheduled to be completed this winter. This will allow us to recruit people that can work over the Internet. We have not been able to do that before. This opens up a whole new world in the jobs market. We must continue to work on the permitting for the mine. There is more potential for mining if we can get through all the regulations. Q. What should the county do to offset expected revenue reductions from the federal and state governments? A. I am currently working with
do to offset expected revenue reductions from the federal and state governments? A. With government cut backs our revenues have been reduced. Serious consideration will have to be taken into the county as well as departmental budgets. In the past our forests were managed for their health and provided an economic asset for the county. Protecting and promoting our agricultural, mining and timber industries will be a step towards being more self sufficient. Development of ideas to attract and promote our tourism industry will also help to increase county revenue. Q. How can the county better coordinate with the U.S. Forest Service in managing public land? A. The county invoked The National Association of Counties to get our Federal funding restored. We were successful last year in getting the funding extended one more year. I will continue to build on that success with the goal of securing a multiyear extension. I have also been working with the Washington State Association of Counties to have the state funding restored. In the meantime I have ensured that the County’s spending stays well within our budget and we have a rainy day fund to fall back on.
U.S. Forest Service in managing public land? There is a federal law that requires the federal government to co-ordinate their plans with the County’s plans. We have been working to tailor the County’s plans in such a way that we can have a meaningful dialog with the forest service. I have been actively working with the forest service on the County fire plan. This has resulted in several projects that have supplied timber to the local mills. I have also been working with the forest service on coordinating several road projects.
Q. How can the county better coordinate with the
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coordination with the U.S. Forest years ago. This June 2 groups from Ferry county and 3 from Steven’s county retained a coordination attorney to “bring the Forest Service to the table” and actually begin the coordination process. As a member of one of the ferry county investing groups I sat in at the 3 meetings. In each of these meetings we requested information to validate the process being used for the new forest plan as well as road closures and limited access by the public to public land. At this point I believe that we need to take the next legal step in the coordination process with the intent to sue in order for local government and ordinances to be part of the initial process before plans are developed and to retain the rights of the public to their public lands.
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Campaign signs tout various candidates at the corner of Oak and Van Duyn streets in Okanogan near the Washington State Patrol office.
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Ballot drop off locations: Okanogan County Auditor’s Office, 149 N. Third Ave., Okanogan; Ferry County Auditor’s Office, 350 E. Delaware Ave., Republic; 8 N. Ash St., Omak; 180 Pateros Mall, Pateros; 209 S. Whitcomb Ave., Tonasket
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2012 Okanogan and Ferry County Voters’ Guide
Ferry County commissioner, District No. 3 Mike Blankenship Age: 63 Town of residence: Boyds Current occupation: Retired business owner Experience/education: 12year graduate, eight years U.S. Army, seven years school board, eight years Ferry County commissioner, 30 years business owner Family: Wife Yvonne; six children; eight grandchildren Political party: Republican Q. With Kinross’ projected closing in 2015, what should the county be doing to attract new businesses and future jobs? A. I would advocate for the
utilization of the public lands for natural resource extraction, grazing and recreation. For existing businesses and new business recruitment I work for Blankenship would construction of redundant communication and electrical power lines required by nearly all business ventures. The reliability of these resources is critical before proprietors will invest in our area. Recreation needs to have a county wide plan for a balanced non conflicting multi use. There needs to be a long range sustainable plan to
Robert L. ‘Bob’ Heath Age: 67 Town of residence: Inchelium Education/experience: Bachelor of arts in education from Eastern Washington University in 1971; retired school teacher; currently county commissioner, four years
Family: Wife Rosalie; two children; five grandchildren Political party: Democrat
Heath
Q. With Kinross’ projected closing in 2015,
encourage investment in recreational facilities both public and private. I would support the enhancement of the fair grounds, county parks and trails. Q. What should the county do to offset expected revenue reductions from the federal and state governments? A. Increasing current tax rates or adding new taxes and fees is not the answer! Solution to the problem is careful budgeting and working to increase the tax base through business enhancement and recruitment. Many of the budget’s short falls are unfunded mandates by the State. These need to be identified and legislative fixes found. I would work to continue the process that the State Legislature started for what should the county be doing enough to attract new businesses and future jobs? A. If Kinross closes in 2015, it will be a major blow to the county. Attracting retirees to the area to live would help bring new money to the county. The broadband that will soon reach the northern part of the county will hopefully give businesses access to new markets
small tax base county funding. During 2004 to 2008 the State Legislature recognized the difficulties of small tax base counties with budget short falls. I was part of the legislative study group working on this issue and would push to be involved again. Ferry County needs to broaden it’s the business opportunities. There is a need to reduce regulation of land and businesses in an effort to increase business ventures. Q. How can the county better coordinate with the U.S. Forest Service in managing public land? A. Ferry County started the coordination process with the Federal Agencies in 1995. Recently Ferry County and Stevens County worldwide. But, most of all we need to help our present industries, such as agriculture, timber, and human services, continue to be able to survive. Q. What should the county do to offset expected revenue reductions from the federal and state governments? A. There is really only one thing
have strengthened the push for Coordination with the Colville National Forest. The federal agencies are required by law to coordinate their planning with the Counties and have failed to meet that requirement. This process needs to continue, there are many short comings in the management of the Colville National Forest. The following is a quote from Teddy Roosevelt, taken from a speech at a Society of American Foresters meeting in 1903; “And now, first and foremost, you can never afford to forget for a moment, what is the object of our forest policy ... is the making of prosperous homes. It is part of the traditional policy of home making in our country ... as means of preserving and increasing the prosperity of the nation.” we can do to offset expected revenue reductions, and that is to reduce services provided by those agencies. Cooperating and working jointly with the tribe has resulted in offsetting some of these reductions. Q. How can the county better coordinate with the
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Ferry County Public Utility District, District No. 2
Nathan Davis
Age: 39 Town of residence: Republic Current occupation: PUD commissioner; heating-cooling business Experience/education: Computer degree, five and a half years as PUD commissioner Family: Wife Shilo Davis; one daughter, one son Political party: Non-partisan position Q. What are some of the goals you would like to see the Ferry County Public Utility District accomplish? A. Finish recovering from wind storm, infrastructure and financially; build hydro
Daniel L. Fagerlie Age: 56 Town of residence: Republic Current occupation: Retired as WSU Ferry County-Colville Reservation Extension director, now working at logging, forest thinning, farming and part time with WSU. Experience/education: My experience spans construction, farming, logging and 32 years in extension adult/4-H education. Experience working with local, state and federal agencies, elected officials, and the Colville tribal government, will translate into benefits for ratepayers. I’ve served as a volunteer fireman and treasurer for over 31 years, on the Fair Board, Weed Board and 4-H Leaders Council, and a Grange and cattlemen’s member. I’ve worked to implement changes positively impacting people’s lives, our economy, and the environment. One example is the Heat Energy Assessment Team (HEAT) project that reduced energy costs for hundreds of area households and businesses and made our PUD power more dependable through greater use of thermal imaging cameras to pinpoint problem transformers, bad connections, etc before an outage. I have a master’s degree in ag economics/business management minor. The combination of “on the ground” experience and education allows creative ideas to save dollars through innovative strategies and cost efficiencies. Family: Wife Ann Fagerlie; one daughter, one son; three step-children Political party: Non-partisan position Q. What are some of the goals you would like to see the Ferry County Public Utility District accomplish? A. Recover from the windstorm with the least cost to ratepayers while maintaining excellent service. Establish an emergency fueling station for PUD and other emergency equipment. Explore and secure an alternative for a secondary “redundant” power source. This
Heath from 6 U.S. Forest Service in managing public land? I’m not sure who it is that believes we haven’t been working effectively with the
generation on Granite Creek Dam; communicate complex topics to the general public; help find ways to keep our industry electrical loads here in Ferry County; keep pressure on BPA to keep our rates from going up Q. What three things can you do to help the utility meet budget while keeping power rates affordable for customers? A. Work with FEMA and the state to get the most help in paying off the $3 million loan; keep track with our new month-bymonth budget tracking, which has worked well the last few years to balance our budget and pay off debt; work with monitoring our line voltages to save line loss which leads to would entail analyzing and developing the most economic alternative. Work to stabilize BPA billing rates/kwh, which is now variable monthly with no predictability. This hurts ratepayers and makes budget planning difficult. Assist in the deployment of high speed Internet to as Fagerlie many as possible for improving business, communication, retaining our talented young people, and assuring modern medical services. It is no longer a luxury but it is a necessity as it is becoming the only way to access government forms, business taxes, pay bills, conduct electronic commerce, and much more of our everyday lives. It will help grow home based and small businesses that can stabilize our economy. Q. What three things can you do to help the utility meet budget while keeping power rates affordable for customers? A. Whether as Firemen’s treasurer or Director of a county budget and 34 project budgets, I am well known for having a “sharp pencil”: stretching dollars and cutting costs to accomplish more. My education and experience in partial budgeting and breakeven analysis as well as business management will allow me to represent the ratepayers in keeping rates as low as possible. I look “outside the box” for new solutions and strategies. This would mean looking at our whole system to see where cost savings might occur, or, if there are new opportunities and partnerships that could bring greater service and less cost. My special project writing experience has made Ferry County a leader in the Bioagent for Noxious weeds, 4-H Youth Development, HEAT and other areas. This experience in employee and funds management will translate into rate savings for ratepayers forest service to improve the management of our federal forest. As a member of the Resource Advisory Committee, a committee formed by the forest service to give counties and citizens input into projects on or near the Colville National Forest, I feel we have been working well with our local rangers.
higher bills from BPA. Q. Explain your views on why the utility district should or should not purchase power from alternativeenergy sources such as wind farms? A. The real cost of wind is usually not communicated well when the topic is brought up. The consumers cost can be three times as much as hydro and is subsidized by federal and state taxes that they also pay. The false notion that wind can replace the existing power infrastructure seams to play a lot in the media. BPA has over 4,000 MW of wind power on their transmission system and there are times when it produces less than 100 MW. All the other power producers’ hydro, through leveraging funds where possible. Q. Explain your views on why the utility district should or should not purchase power from alternativeenergy sources such as wind farms? I do not believe we should be forced to buy wind power at higher rates while BPA ships power at discounted prices to other states. I believe hydro is a renewable alternative energy source. I support research and development into solar, wind, biomass generating, bio-fuel, and small scale hydro and have seen them operating in Germany, Costa Rica and the
nuclear, natural gas, bio fuel, and coal have to make up the difference. Wind does not replace the power; it can only help supplement it. In the spring, BPA has been spilling water over the dams to allow the high-priced wind to keep on producing while curtailing hydro. This makes no sense. The only reason there is so much wind being built in Washington State is because the wind lobbyist forced through I-937, which forces utilities with more than 25,000 residents to buy renewables on a timeline based on a booming economy. Why should we be forced to buy renewables when we are the third cleanest state in the union before the wind was built? All of our power rates are going up due to many factors, but wind is a big one. Philippines, but it has to pencil out to be beneficial to ratepayers. We do not want to spend millions on projects that will not recover costs. Education can help people conserve power as shown with our HEAT project. When people are given good information and understand the benefits they conserve energy. This and conservation incentives work as they are more economical than generating new power. I do not believe in forcing conservation or supporting alternative power through raising rates. This hurts our businesses and hits pocketbooks of individuals and families.
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Page 8
2012 Okanogan and Ferry County Voters’ Guide
Okanogan County District Court judge Position No. 1 Heidi E. Smith Age: 37 Town of residence: Okanogan Current occupation: District Court judge Experience/education: Juris doctor degree, cum laude, Gonzaga University School of Law, Spokane; bachelor of arts degree, cum laude, English literature, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo; Washington State Judicial College; DUI court enhancement, National Judicial College; traffic issues for judges, National Judicial College; witness intimidation training, District Court and Municipal Judges Association; courthouse security training; neurobiology and epidemiology of iatrogenic opioid addiction training; search and seizure training, Washington State Judicial College; spring judicial training conference, District Court and Municipal Judges Association, Spokane; admitted to the
Scot D. Stuart Age: 59 Town of residence: Omak Current occupation: Lawyer Experience/education: BBA, University of Michigan Business School; JD, University of Puget Sound Law School. Admitted to practice in 1980 and worked as associate public defender in Okanogan for four years. In 1985, opened the Law Offices of Scot D. Stuart and for 20 years provided public defense services for Okanogan County. Worked as Stevens County lead District Court deputy prosecutor and chief criminal deputy prosecutor. For more than 30 years, the main focus of his legal work has been in the criminal justice system as both a defense lawyer and a deputy prosecutor. Has handled thousands of criminal cases, and has tried every type of case from traffic infractions to aggravated murder. Has appeared in every level of court in the state, from the District and Superior Courts to the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. Family: Wife Vanessa
Washington State Supreme Court, Eastern and Western Washington District (federal) Courts, and Court of Federal Claims, Washington D.C.; member, Smith District Court and Municipal Judges Association and technology committee, American Judges Association; partner, Smith and Derting PLLC; chief civil prosecutor, Okanogan County; associate, Winston and Cashatt, Spokane; pro bono legal services, Okanogan County CattleWomen, Little Star Montessori School, Wills for Heroes, Washington Education Foundation mentor at Tonasket High School, mock trial teacher, National Association of Women in Construction Family: Husband Eli Smith; three children. Holloman; three daughters Political party: Nonpartisan position Q. How much leeway does a judge have in meting out Stuart punishment to a defendant found guilty? A. A District Court Judge has the leeway or “discretion” to sentence any convicted defendant up to the maximum term, which is 364 days in jail for each gross misdemeanor and 90 days for each misdemeanor. The judge also has the discretion to make sentences for multiple convictions either concurrent or consecutive. Concurrent sentences run at the same time and consecutive sentences run one after the other. The judge must use this significant discretion wisely in order to do justice. Wisdom allows a judge to be consistent in sentencing similarly situated defendants in a similar manner. Wisdom allows a
Political party: Non-partisan position Q. How much leeway does a judge have in meting out punishment to a defendant found guilty? A. A District Court judge has a great deal of discretion to sentence up to the maximum penalties, which are 90 days in jail for misdemeanors and one year for gross misdemeanors, and also to order alternatives to jail, such as electronic home monitoring or community service. In reality, the vast majority of criminal cases are resolved by plea agreement and the state and defense usually present an agreed recommended sentence to the court. Unless the judge disagrees, the recommended sentence is typically adopted. Q. Do you have a philosophy for approaching trials? A. The goal of all trials, whether criminal or civil, is to provide the judge to distinguish between the hardened criminal and the naive follower, between the feigned and sincere repentant and between the less culpable and the more culpable. Wisdom allows a judge to do justice with his sentencing discretion. Wisdom is born from experience and I have that experience. Q. Do you have a philosophy for approaching trials? A. Having been a trial lawyer for over 30 years, and having tried dozens of cases in District Court, I believe the courtroom belongs to the litigants and the judge is there to serve the parties. The judge is merely a steward of the courtroom, which belongs to the citizens he serves. The judge should only apply the law, and his ego and personal beliefs should not enter the courtroom. The judge should be nearly invisible during a trial. In order to stay out of the way of the parties during a trial, the judge must remain a step ahead of them. This is accomplished by anticipating likely trial issues and
litigants with a full and fair hearing before an impartial fact-finder (jury or judge, depending on the case), and to avoid error. In order to accomplish these goals, the court holds a readiness hearing the week before every criminal trial to ensure that the parties are ready to proceed to trial and to make sure written motions, anticipated evidentiary issues and jury instructions are provided in a timely fashion so the court has time to prepare. We make every effort to complete District Court trials in one day, with judge, attorneys and staff staying late into the evening as long as the jury is willing to press on. Q. What can be done to make sure defendants pay restitution and other courtordered financial obligations? A. District Court takes a systematic approach to collecting legal financial obligations, including issuing warrants for arrest of defendants delinquent on balances over $1,000, and being prepared to address them in a manner which does not make the judge the focus of the trial. There is no substitute for trial experience when it comes to understanding how a trial is best conducted. Q. What can be done to make sure defendants pay restitution and other courtordered financial obligations? A. During my career as a deputy prosecutor and a defense lawyer, I have learned the revocation of suspended jail time is an effective tool for getting defendants to pay their restitution and court ordered financial obligations. The court is the only creditor who can put a person in jail for not paying their debt. Defendants need to be reminded of this important fact on a regular basis or else they tend to forget. I believe the court needs to be aggressive in reminding defendants by holding regular review hearings to monitor the financial progress of defendants. When faced with going to court and the possibility of serving more jail time, defendants become amazingly resourceful in order to present the court with that
assigning delinquent balances under $1,000 to private collection agencies. Defendants that need to make alternate arrangements due to illness or other hardships can make a written request for the court’s consideration. We try to stress to defendants that communication is key, and that failure to pay or communicate will result in a warrant. Q. If elected, what are your goals? A. The most pressing issue I see in District Court is the lack of security. For the safety of jurors, litigants and staff, I would like to have an armed officer at every court docket, which is the norm in many counties. I plan to continue looking for ways to use technology to make our court more accessible to the public and attorneys, and to reduce our overhead. If elected, I will also continue District Court’s effort to implement a DUI court, which would deal with chronic DUI offenders. payment receipt. Usually it only takes sending the defendant to jail for a brief stay to remind them the court and victim is their No. 1 creditor. Q. If elected, what are your goals? A. Over the past 30-plus years, I have practiced in every level of court in Washington state, from the municipal and District Courts to the Superior Courts to the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. I have appeared in front of dozens of judges, some of them better than others. I have seen good qualities in every judge and I learned something from each one of them. I have seen what works and what does not seem to work. My goal as a judge is to model the good qualities of every judge I have appeared in front of during my career. If I am able to do that, I will have served the people of Okanogan County to the best of my ability because I will have become a patient, open-minded, compassionate, tactful, fair, firm and humble judge who held people accountable for their actions.
Voter residency requirements To register to vote in Washington, you must be a resident of the state. You must establish your voting residency address at least 30 days before election day, but there is no minimum time requirement for registering to vote. You may specify a mailing address that is different from your residential address.
2012 Okanogan and Ferry County Voters’ Guide
Page 9
State House, District No. 7, Position No. 2 Joel Kretz Age: 55 Town of residence: Wauconda Occupation: Rancher Experience/education: Served four terms in State House of Representatives Family: Wife Sara, one son Political party: Republican
and taxing districts working together in Olympia to rein in land purchases.
Q. North-Central Washington is land rich but economically poor. As a lawmaker, what would do to encourage economic prosperity in North-Central Washington? A. As small business owners know, the business and regulatory climate in Kretz Q. Area residents have called this state are among the worst in the on state agencies to stop buying nation. The best example is right here land and water rights in Okanogan in Okanogan County, 20 years in the County. Explain your position on permitting process to open Buckhorn. To continued acquisitions. attract and encourage investment, permitting A. I have introduced several pieces of needs to be streamlined, simplified, and — legislation to curb land acquisitions. most of all — predictable. Regulations need be Some argue that we can’t get in between evaluated, are they needed, are they doing what “willing buyer, willing seller.” Of course we they were intended to do, is there any benefit to can’t! But the true issue is this; is it good state the public? Improving the business climate and policy to continue to buy up private land in a creating jobs is my top priority in Olympia, and county with high public ownership and a small those efforts have been recognized (twice) as tax base with very little local input? Legislator of the Year by both the Washington It will take an effective coalition of Farm Bureau and the National Federation of legislators, county officials and local schools Independent Business.
Robert ‘Bob’ Wilson Age: 51 Town of residence: Ione Current occupation: Retired Border Patrol Agent, columnist, novelist Experience/education: Washington State University, B.S. in 1983; more than 25 years in the U.S. Border Patrol; emergency management technician for six years; North Pend Oreille Chamber of Commerce for two years; Benton County Diversion Board for six years Family: Three children Political party: Republican Q. Area residents have called on state agencies to stop buying land and water rights in Okanogan County. Explain your position on continued acquisitions. A. I agree that public agencies should not be buying up any more land or water rights anywhere in District 7. But I also believe that we shouldn’t go the other way and sell public land to
Wilson
private individuals as public land brings more opportunities to hike, photograph, hunt and fish and generally more tourism. Q. North-Central Washington is land rich but economically poor. As a lawmaker, what would do to encourage economic in North-Central
prosperity Washington? A. Pend Oreille, Ferry and Okanogan Counties are in similar situations in this respect; all with beautiful and scenic natural settings but with little economic growth. I believe that poorer counties within the State of Washington should be allowed exemptions from many of the permit processes and tax waivers should be granted for upstart businesses to operate within these economically challenged counties.
State House, District No. 12, Position No. 1 Cary Condotta Age: 55 Town of residence: East Wenatchee Current occupation: State legislator Experience/education: B.S. in Business and B.A. in economics from Central Washington University; Association of Washington Business Sen. Jim Matson Award winner in 2012. Family: Wife Rebecca Political party: Republican Q. Area residents have called on state agencies to stop buying land and water rights in Okanogan County. Explain your position on continued acquisitions. A. We have always questioned further acquisitions of land in Okanogan County
because of the fact that they haven’t been able to take very good care of what they have. There are areas that need maintenance. With the budget as tight as it is I believe it’s not the highest priority item. Q. North-Central Washington is land rich but economically poor. As a lawmaker, what would do to encourage economic prosperity in North-Central Washington? A. Well I think we need to go back and look at our natural resource base again. I think that particular area has been neglected as witnessed by the forest fires.
Q. Area residents have called on state agencies to stop buying land and water rights in Okanogan County. Explain your position on continued acquisitions. A. I’m not sure why the state would be buying water as they have control over all
agriculture which has been quite good. What we need to do is to continue to develop our tourism areas.
Condotta
Stan Morse Age: 58 Town of residence: Chelan Current occupation: Lawyer Experience/education: BA from Central Washington University; JD from Southern Illinois University; Admitted to Washington Bar in 1979 and have practiced law the past 33 years; Four years (20072011) as Chelan City Council Member Family: Single Political party: Republican
We certainly could manage our resources better and utilize that for economic development, and continued expansion of
waters in the state, unless it is to stop development — which is sad if that is what is happening.
Morse
Q. North-Central Washington is land rich but economically poor. As a lawmaker, what would do to encourage economic prosperity in North-Central
Washington? A. Reduce needless regulations, particularly in the agricultural area. With low power rates and clean water I think there is opportunity for more light to medium industry, but our rail could be improved to address the shipping cost issue.
Working for the People of Okanogan County Your Voice
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Thank you for your support and your vote! Paid for by the Committee to Elect Ray Campbell, Okanogan County Commissioner Dist. 2 56 Gold Creek Rd. Carlton, WA 98814
Page 10
2012 Okanogan and Ferry County Voters’ Guide
State House, District 12, Position No. 2 Mike Armstrong Age: 55 Town of residence: Wenatchee Current occupation: 12th District State Legislator and External Affairs Director for Port of Chelan County Experience/education: 12 years in the Washington State House of Representatives; 21 years with Washington State Department of Transportation, five years with Chelan County Public Utilities District; four years
Armstrong
Brad Hawkins Age: 36 Town of residence: East Wenatchee Current occupation: Policy Analyst Experience/education: Master’s degree, George Washington University School of Public Policy and Administration; Bachelor’s Degree; Central Washington University; Wenatchee High School; Washington State House of Representatives Committee Staff (1996); Washington State Senate Intern (1997); Douglas County PUD (2001 — present); Eastmont School Board (2004 — 2011), Board Legislative Representative — Board Vice President, Board President (two terms); YMCA Board of Directors (2004 – 2007);North Central Education Service District Board of Directors (2002 – 2004); East Wenatchee Rotary Club; Alcoa Community Advisory Board; Washington State School Directors Association; Washington PUD Association; Northwest Public Power Association.
with the Port of Chelan County; owned and operated a contracting business in the Wenatchee Valley Family: Married to wife, Mary, for 33 years and we have three grown children and one grandchild. My wife and I are both fourth generation residents of Wenatchee. Family: Proud husband and father. Brad and Shawna celebrated their 10th anniversary this past September and have two young children, Luke and Tyler. Political party: Republican
Q. Area residents have called on state agencies to stop buying land and water rights in Okanogan County. Explain your position on continued acquisitions. A. I agree with local residents on this issue. Governmental entities (state and federal) own a significant amount of lands in the 12th legislative district, not just Okanogan County. Continued purchasing of private lands by state government will further erode the tax-base in Okanogan County and what remains of private sector
Hawkins
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Political Party: Republican Q. Area residents have called on state agencies to stop buying land and water rights in Okanogan County. Explain your position on continued acquisitions. I have been working with Sen. Bob Morton to stop the flow of water rights out of the Okanogan area. Once the water leaves the area it will never return and that worries me. development. Less private sector development will lead to further economic challenges and more difficulties for county government to deliver essential services to local residents. One concept I would suggest is if a state agency desires to purchase land and the county agrees it is necessary, then an equal or greater amount of state lands in the area be surpluses back to private sector ownership. This would result in no net increase in state-owned lands. Q. North-Central Washington is land rich but economically poor. As a lawmaker, what would do to encourage economic prosperity in North-Central Washington? I believe strongly that state government should reset its priorities and focus on its core areas. I consider these areas — for state
Q. North-Central Washington is land rich but economically poor. As a lawmaker, what would do to encourage economic prosperity in North-Central Washington? Regulatory reform is needed to assist businesses and agriculture in North-Central Washington. We also need to invest in the necessary public infrastructure that will allow this area to prosper. government — to be education, transportation, and public safety. My thought and vision is for state government to do these things well and, if so, we will all be better off economically in the years ahead. Providing good education for children will prepare them to create jobs and provide us with creative services when we are older. Properly maintained roads and bridges will help local growers get their goods to market, which is critical for our export economy. Keeping the public safe will encourage businesses and families to stay in our district or recruit new businesses and families to our district. This focus on getting “back to the basics” for state government will limit the focus on unnecessary regulations and encourage economic prosperity in North-Central Washington and our entire state.
2012 Okanogan and Ferry County Voters’ Guide
Page 11
Page 12
2012 Okanogan and Ferry County Voters’ Guide
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