Clallam County 2010 Voter Guide

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Election Guide

For the election ending November 2, 2010

A public service of the Peninsula Daily News

C LA L LA M C O U NTY

Foreword

Don’t forget to vote by Nov. 2 THIS SPECIAL SECTION of the Peninsula Daily News, also available at no charge at the county courthouse, libraries and other public places across Clallam County as well as online (www. peninsuladailynews.com), provides voters with information about the Nov. 2 general election.

It profiles the candidates in countywide and local races in which there is more than one candidate, as well as those for U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, the state Supreme Court and the state Legislature.

It also discusses the state measures on the ballot.

The primary election was held Aug. 17.

Compilation of information, including the question-and-answer segments, was coordinated by PDN Senior Writer Paul Gottlieb and includes reporting by The Associated Press.

Candidates’ answers to questionnaires 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.

In Clallam County, all voting is done by mail. There is no Election Day precinct polling.

Mail-in ballots were sent to registered voters in the appropriate jurisdictions starting Oct. 13.

They must be postmarked no later than Nov. 2 or dropped off by no later than 8 p.m. Nov. 2 at any of the following locations

They’re already elected The following candidates are unopposed and are elected to new four-year terms (except where noted).

Their names will appear on the Nov. 2 ballot, but because they’re unopposed, they are not profiled in this Election Guide.

In partisan offices, the party affiliation — D for Democrat, R for Republican — appear in parentheses.

Washington state ■ Supreme Court, Position 1: Jim Johnson ■ Supreme Court, Position 5: Barbara Madsen

Clallam County ■ Assessor: Pamela Rushton ■ Auditor: Patty Rosand ■ Sheriff: Bill Benedict ■ District Court 1 judge: Rick Porter ■ District Court 2 judge: Erik Rohrer ■ Public Utility District, Position No. 1: Will Purser (six-year term)

Jefferson County ■ Assessor: Jack Westerman III (D) ■ Auditor: Donna M. Eldridge (R) ■ Clerk: Ruth Gordon (D) ■ Sheriff: Tony S. Hernandez (D) ■ Treasurer: Judi Morris (R) ■ Public Utility District, District No. 1: Barney Burke (six-year term)

Election calendar Here are some significant dates relating to the general election: ■ Oct. 25: Voter registration deadline for people not currently registered to vote in Washington.

Registration must be done in person at the Auditor’s Office in the county courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles.

■ Nov. 1: Last day to apply for an absentee ballot for the Nov. 2 general election at the County Auditor’s Office in the courthouse.

■ Nov. 2: Last day for write-in candidates to file a Declaration of Candidacy for the Nov. 4 election.

■ Nov. 23: Deadline for County Canvassing Board to certify the general election returns.

■ Nov. 25: Last day for county to mail abstract of general election returns to state.

■ Dec. 2: Final day for secretary of state to certify general election returns from across the state.

Got questions?

Questions about Clallam County elections can be phoned to the in the official return envelope, and ■ Clallam County Courthouse, County Auditor’s Office elections don’t forget to sign the envelope.

223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles. A division at 360-417-2221 or toll-free Fill in the square next to your drive-up drop box is provided. at 866-433-8683 Mondays through choice.

■ Sequim Motor Vehicle Fridays.

Licensing Office, 1001 E. And make no identifying marks Voter registration information is Washington St., Suite 5, Sequim. on your ballot. available by phoning at 360-417■ Sequim City Hall, 152 W. Cedar Putting more than one ballot in a 2221 or toll-free at 866-433-8683 St., Sequim. return envelope, signifying your Mondays through Fridays.

■ Forks District Court, 502 E. choice with an  or check mark Statewide elections information Division St., Forks. An outdoor drop () instead of completely inking in — including a link to the state’s box is provided. the square (■■) or placing an online voters guide — is available identifying mark on a ballot will from the Secretary of State’s Office Important information invalidate the ballot or ballots in Olympia on the Web site, www.

Do not place more than one ballot involved. vote.wa.gov.

Election Guide

A public service of the Peninsula Daily News

For the election ending November 2, 2010

S T A T E L E G I S L A T U R E, 24th D I S T R I C T

Representative, Position 1 Why are you running for this position?

Gase: When I wonder about the future in store for my grandsons, I become concerned with the economic direction in which our state is headed.

What kind of an economy are we creating, and is it acceptable?

I think not.

This is the time in my life that I can devote to this very important job.

It is with a fire-in-the-gut passion that I believe I can make a positive difference.

Van De Wege: Through my work as a firefighter/paramedic and my wife’s work as a schoolteacher, I am in daily contact with the 24th District at its most vulnerable.

I know the hardships that the honest, hardworking families of our community are experiencing, because I see them everyday.

I serve in Olympia so that I can tell my children that I am doing absolutely everything in my power to fight for a better future for our community.

How will you balance your current job status with being a state representative, especially during the three-month legislative session, when being in Olympia on a daily basis is so important?

Gase: I will be a full-time representative for the people of the 24th District.

When not in legislative session I will travel throughout the district on a very regular basis and actually be there for the people of the district.

Having flexible control over my time is a distinct advantage to better serve the district.

Van De Wege: As a firefighter-paramedic in Sequim, I work with the most courageous and caring people you could ever meet, and thanks to their support and flexibility, I have the opportunity to fight to protect and serve our community those

three months every year in Olympia.

My colleagues at the fire station understand that the work I do as a state representative is no different than the work we do everyday safeguarding our fellow citizens from harm.

What should be government’s role in creating jobs?

Gase: The single best thing government can do to assist job growth is simplify regulations and reduce taxation of business, then get out of the way.

Businesses across the district are struggling and many are closing their doors because of the higher taxes that have been imposed in the past few years.

The next best thing is for government to have some predictability.

This simple action will allow businesses to have a degree of confidence needed for growth and expansion.

Van De Wege: Even in our current economic crisis, there are a number of ideological extremists running for office who believe in “Every man for himself!”

They think that the government should simply ignore the countless families that need family-wage jobs in our community.

Personally, I could not live with myself if I did not fight tooth-and-nail in Olympia to bring every single job opportunity to the hardworking, honest, taxpaying people of our district with families to support.

What is your opinion of the state Legislature suspending Initiative 960, which required a two-thirds state legislative majority for tax increases?

Gase: The people of the state, especially our district, spoke clearly when they voted for their Legislature to require a twothirds majority vote before raising your taxes.

My opponent voted to suspend the will of the people, resulting in major tax increases.

This action becomes a huge burden on businesses and jobs in the district. This was wrong.

Van De Wege: I-960 was written with good intentions, but it became a powerful tool for corruption in Olympia.

America faces the worst economic crisis in memory largely thanks to the crooks on Wall Street, yet extremist Republicans were using I-960 to protect tax loopholes that were funding the same corrupt Wall Street schemes and rackets that caused the recession in the first place.

I don’t believe average citizens should be paying Wall Street’s and big business’ taxes.

Do you agree or disagree with state Attorney General Rob McKenna joining a lawsuit that challenges the new federal health care law?

Explain.

Gase: I agree. The federal health care law, as we learn more about it, continues to show signs that it is not at all what was originally intended.

To be forced to buy a health care policy and fined if you don’t, which was created by legislators who did not know what was in it and who also exempted themselves from it, is disgraceful.

Van De Wege: To be honest, I am not a big fan of my tax dollars being wasted on frivolous lawsuits against the federal government.

We have real problems in the 24th District that need to be addressed.

Instead of spending our tax dollars on ridiculous lawsuits, we should be focusing on creating family-wage jobs, supporting struggling small businesses, improving both the quality and efficiency of government services and finding solutions to the health-care crisis in our country.

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Dan Gase Residence: Port Angeles Phone: 360-417-2804 E-mail: dan@votedangase.com Age: 57 Education: Associate of arts, Peninsula College, industry-specific courses at Arizona State University and The Wharton Business School at University of Pennsylvania Occupation: Real estate managing broker, consultant Campaign website: www.votedangase.com Have you ever held elective public office, and if so, what? No Party preference: Republican Party

Kevin Van De Wege Residence: Sequim Phone: Home, 360-6814412; cell phone, 360-4770548 E-mail: kevinvandewege@hotmail. com Age: 35 Education: Associate’s degrees in fire investigation and administration from Edmonds Community College; paramedic certification from Northwest Medical Training; professional writing certificate and bachelor’s decree in social science from Washington State University Occupation: Firefighter/ paramedic with Clallam County Fire District 3 Campaign website: www.kevinvandewege.com Have you ever held elective public office, and if so, what? State representative for the 24th Legislative District since 2007 Party preference: Democratic Party

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Election Guide

For the election ending November 2, 2010

A public service of the Peninsula Daily News

S T A T E L E G I S L A T U R E, 24th D I S T R I C T

Representative, Position 2 Why are you running for this position?

Candidates’ profiles on opposite page

Jim McEntire: I’m running for office to be a part of a more fiscally responsible state Legislature.

Today, our state’s governance does not, cannot and will not get us to the economic future all of us desire for our posterity.

It squelches our American system of private enterprise.

The Legislature has thrown out Gov. Gary Locke’s and State Senator Dino Rossi’s “Priorities of Government” approach to balancing the state budget — government itself has become the priority.

Steve Tharinger: I am a 30-year resident of the North Olympic Peninsula who wants to make sure we have family-wage jobs, good educational opportunities, that we are able to hunt and fish and our grandchildren will be able to hunt and fish.

I want to make sure our air and water are fresh and clean and our communities safe and secure.

I have the right experience and proven leadership to work on these issues in the Legislature.

How will you balance your current job status with being

a state representative, especially during the three-month legislative session, when being in Olympia on a daily basis is so important?

McEntire: As has been reported, if the voters of the 24th District elect me as one of their state representatives, I will resign my current office as a Port of Port Angeles commissioner, effective as of the date my successor is appointed or by the end of 2010, whichever is earlier.

I’m retired, so I will wholly devote my time to representing all citizens of the 24th.

Tharinger: I will be in Olympia full time when the Legislature is in session.

Having a team of experienced county commissioners, who focus on the public interest, not special interests, facilitates the decision process at the county, making it possible for me to participate by phone, according to county policies, when in Olympia.

Washington has a citizen Legislature. Most representatives have other jobs. Mine is being a commissioner.

The jobs complement each other and will keep me in constant contact with the people I represent.

What should be government’s role in creating jobs?

McEntire: Government’s role is to set the correct tax policies, set up regulations that will provide for orderly and predictable markets, provide economic infrastructure and create the most stable and predictable policy environment.

Then, get out of the way of private enterprise.

Now, no one knows what the next six months will bring in new regulations or taxes, so the ability of individuals to invest in a business start or expansion is very poor.

Tharinger: Government can help create jobs by investing infrastructure like sewer and water, roads, ports and rail, which creates a job when the project is being built and provides the platform for future private-sector job creation.

Also by investing in research and development, such as alternative energy, to help create products and jobs of the future.

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About the jobs 24th District State Representative Positions 1 and 2 Partisan or nonpartisan: Partisan Term: Two years General election boundaries: Clallam and Jefferson counties, and the northern half of Grays Harbor County, including Hoquiam and Ocean Shores, not including Aberdeen.

Voters: 84,306. The breakdown: Clallam, 45,805; Jefferson, 21,699; Grays Harbor, 16,802.

Compensation: $42,106 yearly salary, $90 a day for expenses while the Legislature is in session, mileage allowance of 50 cents.

Legislators are eligible for the same medical and retirement benefits as state employees.

Legislators supervise one full-time legislative assistant who schedules appointments, follows up on constituents’ correspondence and serves as an office assistant.

In odd numbered years, the session lasts 105 days, while in even numbered years, it’s 60 days.

Duties: Draft bills, vote on state laws, address constituents’ complaints and concerns, participates on legislative and regional committees.

Approve a state operating budget than in 2009-2011 is $30 billion. The budget pays for 110,000 employees, including 48,000 higher education employees.

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State Representative, Position 1 Continued from preceding page Give three ways you will you address the estimated $3 billion shortfall that’s expected for the 2011-2013 state budget.

Gase: ■ Take a serious look at state employee benefit packages. Automatic step increases in salary should cease when there is such a significant difference between public and private sector pay levels.

■ Consider a significant decrease in funding the Department of Ecology.

■ Establish and stick with a program to prioritize items in the budget, so it doesn’t give the same weight to funding the certification of animal masseurs as it does to the prison system.

Van De Wege: I care too much about my hardworking, struggling constituents to gut the funding of the government ser-

vices that they rely on and pay taxes to receive.

Instead of slashing state funding for education and health care, I will fight to close the tax loopholes that billionaires and big business use to avoid paying taxes, maximize the efficiency of government services and ensure that the state pays only competitive, free-market prices for any outside contracting deals.

Gase: I will listen to the people of the district and vote in your best interest.

I am for smaller government, reduced spending and balancing the budget without raising your taxes.

And, I have the courage to vote for the best interest of our district rather than the best interest of the I-5 corridor and special-interest groups.

Why should voters choose you over your opponent?

Van De Wege: I have proven myself.

My career as a firefighter/ paramedic shows that I will do anything to help our community, and my record in Olympia of creating jobs for the 24th District is undeniable.

I am a tough, plainspoken, open-minded legislator who will never let big-business lobbyists, special-interest groups or an extremist partisan ideology get in the way of bringing family-wage jobs, economic opportunity and improved government services back home to the 24th District.

A public service of the Peninsula Daily News

Election Guide

For the election ending November 2, 2010

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State Representative, Position 2 Continued from preceding page individuals to purchase health

Finally by providing a reasonable, predictable regulatory environment so the private sector is willing to invest in the future.

What is your opinion of the state Legislature suspending Initiative 960, which required a two-thirds state legislative majority for tax increases?

Jim McEntire

Steve Tharinger

Residence: Sequim

Residence: Sequim

Phone: 360-452-2199

Phone: 360-683-6480

E-mail: votejimmcentire@gmail.com Age: 60 Education: Bachelor of science, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, Connecticut, 1972; master’s degree in public administration, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C., 1988 Fellow, Secretary of Defense Strategic Studies Group, Arlington, Va., 19981999 Occupation: Retired in 2000 from the U.S. Coast Guard as a captain after 28 years of service as an officer (colonel equivalent) and retired again in 2006 from the Federal Senior Executive Service after an additional six years of civilian service to the nation Campaign website: www.JimMcEntire.com Have you ever held elective public office, and if so, what? Elected as commissioner (District 1), Port of Port Angeles, in 2007, in a countywide vote.

Assumed office in January 2008.

Party preference: Republican Party

E-mail: tharyoko@olypen.com Age: 61 Education: Bachelor of arts, political science, Colorado College, 1971 Occupation: Clallam County commissioner Campaign website: www.stevetharinger.com Have you ever held elective public office, and if so, what? County commissioner Party preference: Democratic Party

McEntire: Last spring, the majority of the Legislature once again avoided the difficult choices facing us in “re-setting” state government for a different economic era.

Although the state Legislature has the constitutional power to repeal or amend laws placed on the books by initiative two years after they are enacted, I believe laws restricting action by the Legislature should be honored.

The people have spoken clearly and consistently in this regard.

Tharinger: I am concerned about initiatives that do not have a clear delineation of their fiscal impact and lead to unintended consequences.

I-960 limited the ability of the Legislature to close corporate tax loopholes that were unfair.

I am opposed to a supermajority requirement in the legislature because it empowers a few over the many and leads to gridlock and ineffective governance; just look at California or the U.S. Senate.

Do you agree or disagree with state Attorney General Rob McKenna joining a lawsuit that challenges the new federal health care law?

Explain.

McEntire: I agree with his joining several other states’ lawsuits.

The Constitution allows the federal government to regulate interstate commerce, but that power does not extend to requiring someone to participate in interstate commerce, such as the federal health care law does when it requires businesses and

care insurance.

That simply goes too far.

Tharinger: I am not informed on the constitutional arguments in Mr. McKenna’s case.

I do know that the United States health care system is broken and unsustainable.

It is the most expensive in the world and 17th in health outcomes.

700,000 people file for bankruptcy a year because of medical bills in the United States, and 20,000 Americans die in the prime of their life because they cannot afford to see a doctor.

The state needs to create more jobs by investing in infrastructure.

The revenue picture improves for the private sector and the public sector with every job we can create.

We need to look at the revenue side of the ledger and close tax loopholes that are not in the public interest.

Why should voters choose you over your opponent?

McEntire: I’ll vigorously represent all the people of the 24th,with no conflicts of interest.

As port commissioner, I’m proud of my record in encouraging good jobs and in vigorously Give three ways you will pursuing other economic developyou address the estimated ment opportunities to bring jobs $3 billion shortfall that’s to Clallam County. expected for the 2011-2013 I have an excellent record in state budget. fiscal discipline and responsibility, in working well with my felMcEntire: My priorities for low commissioners and working state spending: Legal obligations across county lines with other such as pensions for retired state government and private-sector employees, debt service, budget leaders as president of the Peninstabilization, and K-12 education; sula Development District. public safety and health; law and justice; transportation; protecting Tharinger: I have a record of the vulnerable (e.g., abused chiltransparent, inclusive, collaboradren, and elderly or intellectually tive leadership that is truly fischallenged folks without family cally responsible. or who are being exploited by Locally and across the state, I their family), and common-sense have dealt with the broad array environmental protections. of issues a legislator must face: Fund these first, then other health and human services, ecothings until the available money nomic development/job creation, runs out. land use/resource management, law and justice/public safety and Tharinger: The state needs budgeting. to find more efficiencies by inteI have the right experience grating its programs between the and the proven record to represtate and local levels, minimizing sent you well in Olympia, and I burdensome rules, audits and would be honored to have your contracts. vote in November.

Achievement and success on the North Olympic Peninsula.

Peninsula Woman Every Sunday in

Peninsula Daily News

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Election Guide

For the election ending November 2, 2010

A public service of the Peninsula Daily News

C LA L LA M C O U NTY

Commissioner, District 3 Why are you running for this position?

timberlands in a petition to the Washington state Legislature.

Doherty: My education, training and experience have prepared me for public service.

I have been honored to serve Clallam County residents in several positions, elective and appointed, and I work daily to build trust between county residents and their county government.

I put in long hours because I enjoy the position of county commissioner, and I am proud of my record.

My fellow commissioners and I have been fiscally responsible, bipartisan and future-oriented.

Poole: Grays Harbor County manages its trust lands at around 19 percent administrative fees.

The state Department of Natural Resources manages our trust lands at around 30 percent.

Why the difference?

Also, DNR is slow in putting up timber sales, so we lose market opportunities and also lose critical revenue for the county.

Both these areas are great opportunities for procedure and process improvement to maximize returns on our trust lands, translating into a better tax base and less need to increase property taxes.

Poole: Growth in government has often become an end in itself.

So it has burdened folks with unnecessary or excessive regulations and costs.

It has also become increasingly unresponsive to the people it is supposed to represent.

We can create an environment of governmental accountability, where job creation and preservation will flourish and influence regulatory polices to serve the people, not burden them.

That is why I am running for Clallam County commissioner, District 3.

Evaluate whether it would benefit Clallam County residents if the county took over management of state-managed trust forests.

Doherty: The goal is professional, accountable management of trust forests.

To this end, the board of commissioners reviews this question on a periodic basis.

Continued oversight through quarterly public meetings and written reports from the state Department of Natural Resources enables the county to regularly monitor DNR management practices.

About 10 years ago, 13 former Clallam County commissioners concurred with this approach, opposing reconveyance of trust

What role should the government play in regulating shorelines?

Doherty: Local government should continue participating in regulating shoreline development, following transparent public planning processes.

Clallam County has more than 800 miles of marine and freshwater shorelines — an invaluable asset.

In recent years, millions of public and private dollars have been spent to restore the natural functions of shore land and to rebuild habitat for salmon, bottom fish and other wildlife.

It is much more effective to prevent significant damage to our shorelines by reasonable regulations.

Poole: Some people think that government always knows best, no matter what the subject.

Shorelines are historically expensive properties.

People with the financial ability to buy these properties have no desire to harm them.

On the contrary, it is in their best interest to improve them.

That said, my view is that a policy criteria should be developed so that a compelling condition would have to be present to con-

sider any regulatory expansion.

Should more property on the West End be annexed into Olympic National Park?

Explain.

Doherty: In general, the boundaries of Olympic National Park are adequate.

On a case by case basis, new acquisitions may be merited in situations in which blocking ownership assists more effective management, land exchanges adjust corridors along geographic features and unique wildlife habitat can be protected or restored.

Such purchases should be achieved through willing-seller arrangements.

Before any final decision, I would consider economic and environmental benefits.

Poole: Many folks automatically say yes to expansion of Olympic National Park.

We need a balanced approach.

ONP is more than 1,400 square miles. Rhode Island is 1,045 square miles.

Annexing or redesignating another 200,000 acres is a job killer for the timber industry.

To create a new bio-mass industry, you need that stable wood chip supply.

My objective is to bring jobs and prosperity to the Olympic Peninsula.

How well is the current county commissioner serving the needs of Clallam County?

Explain.

Doherty: As the current county commissioner, I have worked hard to represent the public interest, not special interests.

I attend countless meetings and speak with numerous individuals in order to fully understand the complexity of the issues and problems that confront Clallam County residents.

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Howard V. (Mike) Doherty Jr. Residence: Port Angeles Phone: 360-457-9135 E-mail: doherty_ mike@yahoo.com Age: 67 Education: High school, Port Angeles High School; associate of arts, Peninsula College; bachelor of arts, Gonzaga University; master’s degree in juvenile counseling, Gonzaga University; postgraduate program in constitutional law, Georgetown University; law degree, Gonzaga University.

Robin V. Poole Residence: Beaver Phone: 360-327-3522 E-mail: lindseyjoe 25@yahoo.com Age: 61 Education: Shorecrest High School, Seattle, now Shoreline, class of 1967; Edmonds Community College, associate of arts degree Occupation: UPS driver for 33 years Campaign website: None

Occupation: Clallam County commissioner

Have you ever held elective public office, and if so, what? None

Campaign website: www.re-electdoherty.info; www.mikedoherty.info

Party preference: Republican Party

Have you ever held elective office, and if so, what? Clallam County board of freeholders, 1975-1976; Clallam County commissioner, 1976-79, 1999-current.

Port Angeles School Board, 1992-1999 Party preference: Democratic Party

Election Guide

A public service of the Peninsula Daily News

For the election ending November 2, 2010

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County commissioner, District 3 Continued from preceding page

As a result, I believe I serve the needs of Clallam County as a good steward of the county’s resources and assets while helping individuals to optimize solutions to their own problems.

Poole: Look, I don’t want to be uncharitable, but Mr. Doherty is a career politician and has not held a private job in years.

My view is that he is disconnected. Transparency and accountability have to be more than cliches — e.g., we need a comprehensive, measurable, actionable plan to increase jobs and decrease unemployment instead of random heroic efforts by heroic people.

Give three ways you would cut the budget if faced with having to do so.

Doherty: We should continue a mix of strategies.

For example, attrition through retirements, adjusting employee hours and applying technology (e.g. providing online access to services, records and maps) have saved personnel costs.

Maximizing grant revenues has produced opportunities and cost-savings in public safety, health and natural resource programs.

Energy efficiency measures have reduced operating costs (solar panels save $35,000 each year pre-heating water.)

About the job Clallam County commissioner, West End District 3 Partisan or nonpartisan: Partisan Term: Four years General election boundaries: Countywide Voters: 45,805 Compensation: $61,000 annually beginning in January, and a mileage allowance of $400 a month, 50 cents a mile or use of a county vehicle.

Commissioners also receives the same medical and retirement benefits as other county employees.

Duties: Approve a budget that in 2010 is $90 million, including a general fund operating budget of $33 million that covers 400 employees.

Commissioners hire a county administrator, who supervises a three-person staff.

The general fund budget for the commissioners’ office is $605,607 in 2010.

Commissioners serve as an appeals board for all land-use issues, and sit as the majority on the five-person county Board of Health, which sets county health policies and hears appeals of rulings by the county health officer.

They serve individually as a board representative on various local, regional and state boards and committees.

Incorporating hybrid vehicles in the county fleet has reduced fuel consumption costs.

Poole: First, I would have a

“bottoms up” development and justification of the budget.

Second, I am not aware that there are any metrics established to measure the efficiency and

effectiveness of each department to determine whether they are succeeding or failing with respect to their objectives.

Third, the actions above would drive the decisions regarding budget reduction based on facts and data and performance.

Finally, all of the above would be made accessible to the public.

What role will property rights play in your decisions?

Doherty: Property rights are governed by constitutional law, statutory law, administrative law and case law.

In cases such as road projects, the law is quite clear.

In other areas, when the law is less clear, it is an advantage when a county commissioner also knows the law.

My education and experience (including law school and teaching business law) enable me to make decisions that minimize the legal exposure of Clallam County.

Poole: Property rights are of paramount importance.

We must relearn to trust our fellow citizens to do the right thing with their own land — unless compelling circumstances dictate otherwise.

My decisions will be driven by this perspective.

To translate this to but a few specific examples: I will fight to prevent meters on your private

wells, fight for reasonable setbacks on shorelines and fight for maximizing your right to use your property as you see fit.

Why should voters choose you over your opponent?

Doherty: In these challenging times for county residents as well as local governments, I hope voters will support a candidate with a record of fiscal responsibility and pragmatic problem-solving.

I have worked to build cooperation among local, state, federal and tribal agencies in order to sustain core services of Clallam County government.

I have a strong record of working hard to protect local revenue sources while accessing federal and state grant funds to augment local resources.

Poole: When electing a commissioner, what kind of person do you want?

I will champion property rights and work hard for financial accountability of your hardearned tax dollars.

I will also work for economic growth by freeing up industry and small business from excessive regulatory policies.

Your problems will become my problems, and I will retire from UPS to serve you full time.

That is my goal and promise.

Together we can effect change.

Simple glossary of election terms from the Washington Secretary of State’s Office primary a process to reduce the number of candidates running for election

general election the elections held nationally every November

office an official post or position of duty, trust, or responsibility

top two primary a type of primary in which the top two vote-getters in every race advance, regardless of candidates’ party preferences

recount a second counting of the votes cast in an election, usually done because the first counting indicated a very close result

voter apathy lack of interest in politics, or the absence of any wish to vote

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For the election ending November 2, 2010

Election Guide

A public service of the Peninsula Daily News

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Community development director Why are you running for this position?

John Miller: I have performed the duties of director of community development for the last 3½ years honorably.

The department has experienced stability over that period, with very little turnover in personnel.

In the department, we pride ourselves on delivering customer service of the highest order.

We have cleared up most growth management noncompliance issues from 2007.

We have a shoreline master program to update by 2012 and other major tasks I want to see through.

Sheila Roark Miller: I believe citizens deserve an elected official who will work hard for the people, who doesn’t take his/her salary and position for granted and who knows the area and its issues.

Having built mutually respectful relationships with design professionals, business owners and community citizens over many years, I decided it was time to offer the voters a better choice.

The current director has been criticized for refusing to meet with the North Olympic Peninsula Builders Association for the last three years.

Will this situation change if you are elected?

Sheila Roark Miller: I am open to groups and individuals of all viewpoints and social and economic status.

As director of DCD, my opendoor policy will allow citizens, staff and other department heads the ability to offer suggestions and provide critical feedback on how our services can be improved.

I will also listen to the input of the Permit Advisory Board, a dedicated group of professional engineers, designers and business owners established by the county commissioners.

With the downturn in building permits and the county dipping into reserves to balance its budget, is it time to cut the DCD staff?

Explain.

John Miller: DCD has had one building inspector position vacant since 2008.

It will not be filled this year or next and might even be eliminated.

Building inspections are done by two full-time inspectors, and there are two plan reviewers.

There is still a need for building and fire inspections to be done on a daily basis.

DCD is a general-fund department and will follow the county’s procedures for establishing the operating budget for 2011.

Sheila Roark Miller: DCD policies should ensure all permit John Miller: Under my leadership, DCD has cooperated with fees are equally and correctly assessed.

NPBA on a construction waste The fees support other critical recycling education grant from the state Department of Ecology. county services, such as keeping deputies on the road at night.

I also spent a day at the Department staff are union KONP Home Show this past workers. spring working the Builtgreen Having been a Teamsters and Clallam booth with the executive Association of Western Pulp and officer of the NPBA. As for meeting with the execu- Paper Workers union member for 25 years, I understand that “low tive board of the NPBA, I have man (person) goes.” Before hiring contacted the executive officer a new carbon footprint manager, and extended an offer to meet as occurred Sept. 1, I would have with their board on a monthly retrained a targeted employee. basis.

In what ways should Clallam County’s environment be protected?

John Miller: There are two specific environmental protection initiatives that DCD is leading right now.

The county has received a major stormwater grant from the U.S. EPA to develop a comprehensive stormwater plan for the county.

It was awarded because of the shellfish closure in Dungeness Bay and focuses on the Dungeness River basin.

The other is the Shoreline Master Program update.

Citizens should take advantage of the public participation options in the shoreline master program process.

Sheila Roark Miller: Treaty tribes and the state Departments of Ecology, Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife already govern streams and shorelines as mandated by the federal government.

I’m not sure the county should be involved at all, considering the resulting duplication of efforts and grant-funded administrative costs.

We can control the clearing and grading of development for storm events, encourage green building practices and prepare pathways for alternate energy means, such as wind and solar power.

How much importance do you place on the rights of individuals to develop their property?

John Miller: DCD and I place a very high level of importance on the rights of individuals to develop their property.

In fact, I have pointed out that in the 3½ years I’ve held the office of director, we have not denied even one building permit application.

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John Miller

Sheila Roark Miller

Residence: Port Angeles

Residence: Carlsborg

Phone: 360-457-8347

Phone: 360-460-0241

E-mail: jhmiller49@msn.com Age: 61

E-mail: electsheila@olypen.com Age: 51

Education: Fargo North High School, Fargo, N.D., 1967; bachelor’s degree in politics, Princeton University, Princeton, N.J., 1971; graduate study in political science and at Huxley College of Environmental Studies, Western Washington University, Bellingham, 19791984, master’s degree not earned

Education: Associates of arts degree, Peninsula College, 2005; National Fire Academy, Emmitsburg Md., 1997 and 2004; business honors graduate, Port Angeles High School, 1976

Occupation: Director of community development, Clallam County, 2007 to present

Campaign website: www.electroarkmiller.com

Campaign website: www.johnmillerdcd.com Have you ever held elective public office, and if so, what? Clallam County Charter Review Commission, 2002 and 2007; elected chair of the review commission in 2007; Clallam County Director of Community Development

Occupation: Clallam County code compliance officer III / deputy fire marshal

Have you ever held elective public office, and if so, what? No

Election Guide

A public service of the Peninsula Daily News

For the election ending November 2, 2010

9

Community development Continued from preceding page

Hand-in-hand with processing the application, we work closely with the property owner so that all requirements of environmental protection and regulation are complied with.

Sheila Roark Miller: Most contractors and homeowners understand there are regulations that have to be followed, and we want to ensure that this information is fairly and consistently delivered, and readily available.

The county should not make us into outlaws by saying we can no longer build a pole-type structure, such as an 8-by-8 goat shed on our farms or rural property without engineering and a permit.

We need reasonable use of our land and forgiveness, not fines.

What will be your major accomplishment if you are elected?

John Miller: The major accomplishment of my second term will be the successful completion of the shoreline master program update.

DCD prepared a public participation plan that we asked the commissioners to adopt as an administrative policy.

This is done and posted on the county website.

It is very important that citizens take advantage of the public participation opportunities that will be held throughout the county starting this fall — shoreline property owners and interested citizens alike.

Sheila Roark Miller: The department of community development’s internet site will become user friendly.

The fire protection policy will go into ordinance, similar to Kitsap County.

The permitting software will be utilized to its fullest, with IT staff involvement and crosstraining.

The attitude of finding solutions will be felt by our citizens.

About the job County director of community development Partisan or nonpartisan: Nonpartisan Term: Four years

C LA L LA M C O U NTY

Treasurer

General election boundaries: Countywide Why are you running for this position?

Voters: 45,805 Compensation: $64,211 to $70,877 yearly salary, mileage allowance of $400 a month, 50 cents a mile or use of a county vehicle.

The director also receives the same medical and retirement benefits as other county employees.

Duties: Administer, enforce and advise county commissioners on laws, not including health, that are related to the environment, land-use permits, land and shoreline development, natural resources, zoning, land divisions, building and fire codes, watershed planning, mining and agriculture.

The director prepares and presents to county commissioners, for their adoption, comprehensive land use plans and landdevelopment regulations.

The director administers an annual general fund budget that in 2010 is $3.44 million and covers 32 employees.

It department has the second largest budget next to the Sheriff’s Department budget.

The director has same the independent authority and administrative and managerial rights as other elected officials.

The position became one of the few, if not only, elected county community development director positions in the country in 2002 under a proposal offered by the county Charter Commission that was overwhelmingly approved by voters.

Getting permits out the door will empower staff to risk making mistakes.

Ordinances will be written in a manner that most people can understand.

Why should voters choose you over your opponent?

John Miller: I have established the track record that I can run on.

I have set the standard of courteous, respectful customer service for all the public using DCD, permit applicants to citizen volunteers.

We have completed the first phase of watershed planning in the West End. More than 4,000 junk vehicles have been removed from private property. Many

neighborhood cleanups have taken place.

If you like the way DCD is being run, please re-elect John Miller.

Sheila Roark Miller: My 20 years of DCD experience, my honesty and my availability offer considerable value to the community.

I have an in-depth understanding of the issues facing our county that offers the best choice to Clallam County citizens.

I am certified as a fire code and building code official and worked six years in the stock brokerage industry, fullylicensed.

I am not affiliated with any political party and am not backed by any special interest group.

Selinda Barkhuis: I care about Clallam County and have been recognized for my publicservice accomplishments.

I received a Clallam County Pro-Bono Distinguished Service Award; served as Clallam County Bar Association president; served as co-producer for Clallam Legal, a pro-bono fundraiser; won a Tourism Promotion Certificate of Excellence from the North Olympic Peninsula Visitor and Convention Bureau, and was featured in the first issue of the Peninsula Daily News’ Peninsula Woman magazine under the heading of “the Law and the Computer.”

Judith Scott: I have a vested interest in this office.

I have spent 27 years of my life continually working with the processes, policies and procedures involved in the office.

The Treasurer’s Office experience gives me the background to know the duties and responsibilities of the office.

I would like the opportunity to finish some of the projects I have been involved in.

I will continue to do a good, fiscally responsible job as treasurer.

What are your specific qualifications for this job?

Barkhuis: Seven years experience as attorney in private practice in Clallam County. I know law and office management, and I know how to smell a rat.

Seven years experience as county planner.

My work product has been evaluated as “outstanding” and I was nominated for the “2009

Candidates’ profiles on next page Excellence in Service Award.”

I know how to get things done at the county.

Several years experience as Realtor and H&R Block tax preparer. I understand real estate and taxes.

Scott: Having worked in the office for 27 years, I know the histories necessary to lead the office into the future.

I know the position and the people I serve with inside the county and across the state.

I know the duties of preparing budgets, collecting taxes and distributing the revenue.

I have continually trained and served in this environment since I started work in the office in 1983.

I have the pragmatic experience.

A state Auditor’s Office investigation revealed that more than $600,000 was stolen from the Treasurer’s Office over a five-year period ending May 19, 2009 and that the actual amount stolen “cannot be determined.” How could this have been avoided?

Barkhuis: The incumbent had authority over the employees, physical access to the documents, and a fiduciary duty to safeguard the public’s money.

Had the incumbent segregated duties and monitored activities (which did not occur, according to the state auditor’s report), she could have found the fraud within months of taking office in January 2005.

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For the election ending November 2, 2010

Election Guide

A public service of the Peninsula Daily News

Clallam County treasurer Continued from preceding page

Instead, the fraud continued for 53 more months, at some $10,000 per month, in an office with only five people to supervise.

Selinda Barkhuis Residence: Port Angeles Phone: 360-452-0825 E-mail: sbarkhuis@yahoo.com Age: 48 Education: Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, summa cum laude, in May 1989 from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Ariz.; master’s degree in analytical chemistry in June 1990 from the University of Washington; law degree in June 1994 from the University of Washington.

Occupation: Licensed attorney employed as a senior planner with Clallam County Campaign website: http://barkhuis.com Have you ever held elective office, and if so, what? No

Judith Scott Residence: Port Angeles Phone: 360-457-6783 E-mail: judyscott@tfon.com Age: 59 Education: Graduate of Peninsula College; attended University of Puget Sound and University of Washington; extended degree programs participant of Washington State University; certified by Northwest Municipal Clerks and Treasurers Institute Occupation: Clallam County treasurer Campaign website: www.re-electjudithscott.com Have you ever held elective public office, and if so, what? Clallam County treasurer since 2005.

Scott: A key factor would have been tracing the records back to the source document on all levels, including the state Department of Revenue and the state Auditor’s Office during audits.

Due to the manipulations and alterations of portions of the fourpart excise affidavit, checking the original source would have helped.

All voided items should have had a second-party approval prior to processing.

More frequent spot checks on spreadsheets would have been also recommended.

What, if anything, will you do to change how the Treasurer’s Office operates?

Barkhuis: I will review every aspect of the Treasurer’s Office and ensure all laws and policies are followed, make the necessary changes to safeguard the public’s money, complete a comprehensive employee manual for easy crosstraining and segregation of duties and identify ways to streamline and modernize the office.

I will use my skills as a certified mediator to guide office staff in adapting to the new processes, including random audits and monitoring.

Scott: I have already implemented changes to the real estate excise tax processing, which has been reviewed and approved by the state Auditor’s Office.

We will do more checks.

The accountant is currently reviewing all receipts and monitors the cash flow on a daily basis.

We will continue to review procedures and adjust as necessary.

Our goal will be to continue to be accountable on behalf of the county.

About the job Clallam County treasurer Partisan or nonpartisan: Nonpartisan Term: Four years General election boundaries: Countywide Voters: 45,805 Compensation: Between $64,212 and $70,872 and the same medical and retirement benefits as other county employees.

Duties: The treasurer heads an office that collects tax payments and assessments from individuals and collects taxes from and distributes taxes to 22 taxing entities including school districts, cities and fire districts in Clallam County.

The office will collect and distribute an estimated $72 million in 2010.

The treasurer manages a general fund budget that in 2010 is $516,270 and covers six employees.

Assess the performance of the Treasurer’s Office over the last four years.

Barkhuis: Performance has been unacceptable.

First, for 53 months, incumbent failed to notice one of her five employees is stealing some $10,000 per month.

Then, after the theft is discovered, incumbent reported in the Treasurer’s 2010 Performance Measures: “We also need to do more dual control of our work, which is difficult to do along with everything else . . .”

The total amount lost due to incumbent’s inability to manage the office may never be known.

Scott: My office has collected more than $262.3 million in property taxes and distributed them to the proper entities.

Our average collection rate per year is more than 98 percent.

We have processed more than $969.4 million in total revenue from 2006-2009.

We have implemented a new financial system and are in the process of implementing a new tax/assessment collection system.

We have continued to develop

our website to allow on-line payments and online surplus sales.

Why should voters choose you over your opponent?

Barkhuis: I am an “outstanding” worker with professional qualifications and a can-do attitude who is ready, willing, and able to do what it takes to safeguard the public’s money, to bring the Treasurer’s Office into the 21st century and to restore the public’s confidence.

I ask for your vote in November, and I look forward to serving you as Clallam County treasurer.

Scott: I have the experience that counts.

I have proven, even under fire, that I can make the right decisions.

I am accountable, I have integrity, and I have proven I am a fiscally responsible official of this county.

I take my responsibilities very seriously.

I am a leader who has proven my ability to head my department in a positive, accountable and productive manner to serve the citizenry of Clallam County.

Election Guide

A public service of the Peninsula Daily News

For the election ending November 2, 2010

11

C LA L LA M C O U NTY

Prosecuting attorney Why are you running for this position?

Kelly: Clallam County needs a prosecutor who will be tough on crime.

I have been and will continue to be that tough prosecutor.

I am committed to protecting our citizens through zealous advocacy for justice and public safety.

During the past 7½ years, my leadership has resulted in improved service and a safer community.

Public service is a calling, not an entitlement. I want to continue my service to the citizens of our county.

Freedman: I served as judge, law professor, and was named among the top 100 criminal law attorneys in the United States.

I will bring respect to the prosecutor’s office.

Current mismanagement has delayed cases, causing public danger and enormous expense.

Employee turnover is unprecedented.

A lawsuit against the prosecutor has cost more than $400,000.

Some defendants are free, awaiting trial years after charges have been filed (County theft, $600,000-plus; Sheriff’s property room, $50,000-plus).

This must stop.

Deb Kelly has defended her conviction rate of 91 percent over the last four years. Larry Freedman has criticized the conviction rate, saying it was 68 percent in 2009. Whose numbers are more valid, and why?

My opponent has not divulged either the source of his data or the methodology behind his calculations.

What would you do, if anything, to improve how the prosecuting attorney’s office is run?

Freedman: I have personally analyzed data from court files and the court website (www. courts.wa.gov).

I have made documentation available to all to show the facts.

In 2009, 33 trials resulted in 10 acquittals.

In the last five years, for each case involving a jury, 39 percent were convicted as charged by the prosecutor, 37 percent were convicted of much lower charges and 24 percent were acquitted.

Kelly’s claim of 91 percent jury convictions is not factual.

Kelly: These are difficult times.

The budget cuts proposed for 2011 will be challenging, but with experience gained as prosecutor, I will continue to implement efficiencies to maintain high levels of service.

Policies already enacted provide consistency for handling of criminal matters, diversion of minor offenders, and employee accountability.

My priorities will be to do more with less and to work hard to increase communication and teamwork with other agencies to preserve and improve public service.

What’s your philosophy on using plea bargains?

Kelly: Plea agreements are necessary.

Without them, we would need to double the number of existing judges, courtrooms, clerks, defense attorneys and prosecutors.

With system-wide reductions of almost 10 percent contemplated for next year, good agreements are more vital than ever before.

However, every plea agreement accepted must protect public safety, obtain restitution for the victim and provide for offender accountability.

If an agreement can’t be reached that meets those tests, the case should be tried.

Freedman: Plea agreements may be used to avoid unnecessary trials as long as good judgment is exercised and the public is protected.

Properly charged provable Kelly: My conviction rate at crimes should not have to be trial is based directly on data reduced by a plea bargain. published by the independent Reasonable plea agreements Office of the Administrator for can be accomplished if the proseWashington Courts. cutor does not overcharge, but It is available from 1998 to date at http://tinyurl.com/rvyal. rather makes charges based on Utilizing yearly data for “case what can be proven and if the resolutions after trial commence- rules of the court and ethics are ment” from the criminal tables, I followed.

Valid charges can and will be calculate a 91 percent conviction rate at trial for the past 3½ years. prosecuted.

Freedman: I would stop the turnover by restoring the respect of the public, of the court and among employees.

Kelly’s administration has caused tremendous strife and discord, resulting in dysfunction among staff and attorneys.

This is exemplified in the loss of 27 employees in a 21-person office in the last four years alone.

Kelly states that the problem is fixed, but three attorneys out of 11 have been replaced within the last year.

The problems continue.

What are your budget priorities?

Kelly: Public safety is the No. 1 budget priority.

Thus, priorities in the criminal division continue to focus on conviction of sex, violent, and DUI offenders.

With significant budget and manpower constraints, it is critical for the civil division to provide advice that minimizes government liability and provide as much in-house litigation as possible.

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Larry Freedman

Deb Kelly

Residence: Sequim

Residence: Port Angeles

Phone: 360-809-0164

Phone: 360-452-3432

E-mail: larryf@olypen.com Age: 72 Education: Bachelor of arts, University of Vermont, 1959; law degree, Boston University School of Law, 1963. Admitted to practice law before the United States Supreme Court, Massachusetts, District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland and Washington state as well as numerous federal court districts and appeals courts.

Occupation: Held position of judge pro tem, commissioner, adjunct professor of law at George Mason University School of Law,14 years; managing partner in three major law firms in 47 years of law practice.

Also held positions as arbitrator, mediator, special prosecuting attorney for two U.S. attorneys; contract attorney for city of Sequim for criminal probation matters; presently practicing attorney in Sequim.

E-mail: kellyforprosecutor@ yahoo.com Age: 57 Education: Bachelor of arts, Rice University, Texas, 1974; law degree, Southern Methodist University, Texas, 1978 Occupation: I am the current prosecuting attorney with almost 27 years experience in city and county prosecution working with law enforcement and victims and witnesses to crime.

I have also served as a District Court judge in Clallam County and started my career as a lawyer with a civil rights and general practice law firm in Louisiana.

Campaign website: www.kellyforprosecutor.com

Have you ever held elective public office, and if so, what?

No

Have you ever held elective public office, and if so, what?

In 1993, I was appointed to the District Court bench and served there during 1994. In 2002, I won election as Clallam County prosecuting attorney and have served there from January 2003 to the present, running unopposed in 2006.

Party preference: Democratic Party

Party preference: Republican Party

Campaign website: None

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Election Guide

For the election ending November 2, 2010

A public service of the Peninsula Daily News

Prosecuting attorney Continued from preceding page

My decisions have and will continue to reflect both an understanding of fiscal accountability and the need to preserve vital public services.

Freedman: To eliminate unnecessary lawsuits, massive employee turnover, retrials and prosecutorial overcharging, causing unnecessary trials.

The enormous loss of employees has resulted in waste, huge expense, disruption and delays in the administration of justice.

Sound management will become a priority, and delays will be eliminated by focusing on getting the job done.

I will create an atmosphere of cooperation to make people want to stay.

Protecting the public is getting cases completed, not delayed.

What will be your major accomplishment if you are elected?

Kelly: I want to provide excellent public service and leave the office well-positioned to continue such service in the future.

For this reason, I have sought the best talent available for staff.

I will continue to enact policies to encourage consistent, value-driven decision-making and increased professionalism.

I hope that my actions will promote the mission of public service and leave citizens confident that the prosecutor’s office always operates with the whole community’s interest in mind.

Freedman: To be recognized as tough, fair and honest.

To regain the public’s and court’s respect for the prosecutor by eliminating the huge waste of money and misrepresentations to the court.

About the job Clallam County prosecuting attorney/ coroner Partisan or nonpartisan: Partisan Term: Four years General election boundaries: Countywide

Compensation: $121,877 salary, mileage allowance of $400 a month, 50 cents a mile or use of a county vehicle.

Commissioner also receives the same medical and retirement benefits as other county employees.

Duties: Represent the interests of the citizens of the county in criminal trials and in all other legal matters involving the county.

The prosecutor decides who will be prosecuted and what charges will be filed.

Serves as legal adviser to all county officials and school districts.

The prosecutor also serves as the county coroner.

The coroner investigates and certifies the cause of death in cases in which death is sudden and in which death is caused by accident or unlawful means.

Propose and administer a budget that in 2010 is $1.64 million and which covers 24 employees.

Why should voters choose you over your opponents?

Kelly: I seek re-election because I am better qualified to serve as prosecutor. I will continue to make the hard decisions

Get home delivery.

Call 360-452-4507 or 800-826-7714 www.peninsuladailynews.com

Peninsula Daily News

Tax levy

By Paige Dickerson Peninsula Daily News

Voters: 45,805

To create an office that complies with the law and rules of court and to protect the public by prosecuting successfully all predatory criminals.

As recently happened, criminals must not be released to offend again because they are not charged within the mandatory time limit.

F I R E D I S T R I C T No. 6

needed to run the office. I have the proven experience, commitment and track record. I know and love this county from end to end. My public service is unmatched by my opponent.

These are difficult times. My leadership will provide our citizens with the highest and best return from the Office of Prosecuting Attorney.

Freedman: Kelly states that all is fine in her office.

I don’t agree. We need change now.

Unlike current practices, I will provide tough, fair, respectful and honest dealings with the public and courts.

I will support law enforcement. Their lives are on the line.

Predatory crimes against those vulnerable whether they are women, men, children or elderly are not negotiable.

We need to stop wasteful spending and create the swift administration of justice now.

Clallam County Fire District No. 6 will ask voters in the Nov. 2 general election to approve a 37-cent increase in its levy to help the district balance the budget, fix existing equipment, buy new equipment — and stop living off reserves.

Called a levy lid lift, the measure would increase the property tax rate to 90 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation from the current 53 cents, said Joseph Seymour, Fire Board chairman.

That means the owner of a $200,000 home will pay about $180 per year in property taxes — an increase of $74 annually.

Ballots for the Nov. 2 election were sent to the 249 voters within the 30-square-mile district on Quillayute Prairie in the all-mail election. The measure needs a simple majority to pass.

It would finance improved fireprotection operations, replace apparatus, provide staffing and increase service levels, according to the ballot.

Peter Smith, a volunteer firefighter, said the measure is necessary because a large proportion of the budget is currently drawn from reserves.

“Eventually, the fire district will no longer have the funds to operate and would have to shut down,” he said.

Expenses to fix aging machinery, train firefighters and other volunteers and pay for fuel have continued to increase, while the budget may legally increase by up to 1 percent a year.

Only by a levy lid-lift vote can the amount collected be increased.

The district budget is about $31,000 per year, while income is $29,400 — which means that $1,600 per year is drawn from reserves, he said.

“At a very gross level without

Clallam County Fire Protection District 6 Board of Commissioners Proposition Authorizing of Property Tax Levy The Board of Clallam County Fire Protection District No. 6 adopted Resolution No. 54A. concerning a proposition to maintain and fund operations, facilities and staffing.

This proposition authorizes the District to establish its regular property tax levy at $.90 per $1,000 of assessed value to be assessed in 2010 and collected in 2011. The funds will finance improved fire protection operations, replace apparatus and equipment, provide staffing and increase service levels. The maximum allowable levy in 2010 shall serve as the base for subsequent levy limitations as provided by chapter 84.55 RCW. Should this Proposition be approved?

 Yes

 No

something we’ll run into some trouble soon — not right away, but soon — just looking at the budgetary numbers,” he said.

The all-volunteer district has no paid staff, Seymour said.

The district has a 1984 pumper, a slightly newer water pumper and another four-wheel drive smaller apparatus.

“A tentative plan would be to replace the pumper and put the old one out at the [Quillayute] airport to improve response times, because sometimes when we get a call we can’t get there in time to help much,” Seymour said.

He said that because the district’s population is spread out, and the fire station is on the eastern side of the district, the hope is that fire protection equipment can be placed in other areas of the district to improve response times.

Election Guide

A public service of the Peninsula Daily News

For the election ending November 2, 2010

13

U. S. C O N G R E S S, 6th D I S T R I C T

Member of Congress Why are you running for this position?

Cloud: I want to bring more economic prosperity to the citizens of this district.

Restrictions on property use, burdensome taxation, and a never-ending web of regulations have stifled the American economy.

When elected, I will endeavor to stop the growth of the federal government and restrain its overstepped influence.

I will fight cap-and-trade legislation, seek to repeal nationalization of health care and work to bring more jobs to this district through a revitalized private sector.

Dicks: I remain deeply concerned about the challenges faced by people living here on the Peninsula, and I believe that through my experience and my position in the U.S. House, I am uniquely qualified to represent their interests and to help expand economic opportunities for working families.

I have worked hard for Elwha River restoration, creating new jobs and restoring salmon runs, and I’m committed to helping this area address all its critical infrastructure needs.

Should the Bush tax cuts for people making more that $250,000 a year be allowed to expire? If yes, explain how the cuts will be paid for. If not, defend the tax increase.

Cloud: No, the tax cuts should not be allowed to expire.

The failure to extend these tax cuts will result in a huge increase in the tax burden on successful small businesses, which provide 70 percent of new jobs.

We need new jobs not new taxes.

The federal budget must be balanced, and that requires a reduction of spending, not higher taxes.

With tax cuts must come spending cuts.

Dicks: I support the Obama administration’s proposal to allow the Bush tax cuts to expire for individuals earning more than $250,000.

These are individuals who have not suffered as much during the recession, and I believe the $700 billion savings resulting from letting this portion of the tax cut expire would be an important offset to the budget deficit at this time.

borders, or we will not have a country left.

To the extent that citizens are inconvenienced by the increased Border Patrol presence, many of those issues can be resolved through common sense and the professional discretion of our Border Patrol.

The resolution of conflict between local citizens and the Border Patrol is a responsibility of your elected congressman.

Do you favor or oppose the new federal health care law?

Explain.

Dicks: As a border state representative, I always want to ensure that we are providing the necessary resources to secure our borders.

Following continued reports of random vehicle checkpoints and arrests on the Peninsula, I urged the administration to review the effectiveness of its policy and to ensure that civil liberties were being appropriately protected.

I will continue to focus on ensuring that our borders are secure and we are using scarce federal resources effectively.

Cloud: I oppose the new federal health care plan.

The plan falsely promises more health care for less cost.

In reality, the plan will require either rationing of health care or coercion of health care providers to work for less than they would otherwise receive.

Ultimately, however, coercion will not work, and the quality of health care will suffer tremendously.

We need a free market in the provision of health care services, not more government control.

Dicks: I supported the health care reform legislation that will cover 32 million additional Americans, bar insurance companies from denying coverage because of pre-existing conditions, allow children to stay on their parents’ insurance plans until age 26 and make it easier to change jobs without losing coverage.

I led efforts to reform the Medicare reimbursement system to ensure that doctors on the Peninsula are fairly reimbursed for their services — helping more doctors accept Medicare patients.

Do you support or oppose the increase in the Border Patrol on the North Olympic Peninsula? Explain.

Cloud: I support the increase of the Border Patrol.

We must gain control of our

Give three ways you would serve the needs of the 6th District.

Cloud: I support lower taxation, less regulation and less government control of our lives.

This will allow the 6th District to finally develop the private-sector jobs that have been lacking in this district for many years.

This will benefit citizens and local governments.

Unlike the incumbent, I will not be influenced to support legislation that is detrimental to the country and the district in return for campaign contributions or political influence.

Dicks: Job creation remains my top priority.

I’m working to ensure that Boeing has a fair shot at winning the refueling tanker bid, which will support thousands of good jobs in Washington.

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Norm Dicks

Doug Cloud

Residence: Belfair

Residence: Tacoma

Phone: 253-272-5884

Phone: 253-627-3133

E-mail: norm@normdicks.com Age: 69 Education: Bachelor of Arts, University of Washington, 1963; law degree, University of Washington School of Law, 1968 Occupation: U.S. congressman Campaign website: www.normdicks.com Have you ever held elective public office, and if so, what? Yes, I am the current representative of the 6th Congressional District in the House of Representatives.

Party preference: Democratic Party

E-mail: doug@dougcloud.com Age: 53 Education: University of Washington, Bachelor of Arts in economics, 1980; law degree, University of Washington, 1983 Occupation: Attorney Campaign website: www.dougcloud.com Have you ever held elective public office, and if so, what? No. Party preference: Republican Party

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A public service of the Peninsula Daily News

U.S. Congress, 6th District Continued from preceding page

We also must protect our valuable natural resources: improving our national parks, protecting Puget Sound and Hood Canal and restoring our salmon runs.

I’ll continue to support programs for our military servicemembers, veterans and their families – including a new clinic for Peninsula-area veterans.

About the job U.S. House of Representatives 6th Congressional District Partisan or nonpartisan: Partisan

Senator

Term: Two years

What’s your position on government earmarks, or “pork”?

General election boundaries: Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor, Mason, Kitsap counties, and part of Tacoma in Pierce County.

Cloud: Government earmarks have been abused tremendously by incumbent congressmen such as Norm Dicks.

He uses our taxes to buy votes.

Mr. Dicks should be held accountable for his behavior in this regard.

Mr. Dicks’ record is one of supporting earmarks for campaign contributors or earmarks that benefit his family.

This needs to stop immediately. This misallocation of our resources is killing the economy and undermining our country.

Voters: 378, 674. The breakdown: Pierce, 172,027; Kitsap, 70,151; Clallam, 45,805; Grays Harbor, 35,645; Mason, 33,347; Jefferson, 21,699.

Dicks: Members of Congress have a duty to fight for initiatives that create jobs and bring needed improvements to their districts.

Local infrastructure projects, such as the Gateway Transit Center project, Northwest Maritime Center and Olympic Discovery Trail have created jobs and have lasting benefits for this area.

I have supported efforts to make the congressional appropriations process much more open and transparent ­— ensuring full public disclosure of any

U. S. S E N A T E

Compensation: $174,000 yearly salary, with annual cost-ofliving increases.

House members receive health and retirement benefits under the same plans available to other federal employees.

Members can participate in the Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employees’ Retirement System.

Duties: The 435 members of the House of Representatives draft bills and vote to enact federal laws.

All congressional spending bills are initiated in the House.

House members elect the president in Electoral College deadlocks.

The House has the power to initiate presidential impeachment proceedings, while the Senate conducts impeachment trials. expenditure requested by members of Congress.

Why should voters choose you over your opponent?

Cloud: Being a lifetime resident in this district as well as a lawyer and economist has provided me with a thorough understanding of the citizens and the problems of this district.

I will not be subservient to

Achievement and success on the North Olympic Peninsula.

Peninsula Woman Every Sunday in

Peninsula Daily News

politically self-proclaimed elite whose emphasis on government economic planning, restrictions on individual freedom and wealth redistribution has nearly destroyed our economy and future prosperity.

Mr. Dicks’ use of earmarks is a form of corruption that has imperiled our country.

Dicks: I have a proven record of results representing the people of this area in Congress.

As a strong advocate for working families, I’ve fought to spur job growth and protect our local economy.

I have fought to improve our national parks, including Olympic National Park, as well as to protect Puget Sound and our salmon runs.

Knowing the values important to people here on the Peninsula, I’ll continue to fight hard in Congress for these priorities.

Why are you running for this position?

Murray: I love being a voice for you in the U.S. Senate.

Every day, I get up and go to work to help people and solve problems for Washington state.

As your U.S. senator, I’ve voted to cut taxes for the middle class, and I’ve fought for the Peninsula’s needs, like ferry service and broadband internet infrastructure.

I’m proud of what we’ve done, and I need your vote to keep fighting in Washington, D.C. Rossi: America is in trouble.

Families are worried about basic needs, and unemployment is near 9 percent in Washington.

We must get the economy on track, get people to work.

The failed stimulus and other spending have harmed our longterm prosperity by adding to our debt.

If we don’t act, future generations will be worse off.

We must start worrying about the workers and employers who build the economy instead of wasteful politicians and special interests.

Should the Bush tax cuts for people making more that $250,000 a year be allowed to expire? If yes, explain how the cuts will be paid for. If not, defend the tax increase.

Murray: These are tough times for Washington state families, and I will always be on the side of the working moms and dads who are struggling to make ends meet.

I strongly support tax relief for the middle class and our small businesses For eight years, we asked our middle class and our children to

Candidates’ profiles on opposite page take on more than their fair share to pay for cuts for the rich.

It is time to bring fairness to the middle class, and start paying down our debt.

Rossi: Lower taxes promote economic growth and job creation.

When individuals and small businesses invest more money into the economy, everyone benefits.

Recently, Congress raised taxes to finance increases in government spending.

That’s not how to grow the economy. We have to make permanent the 2001 and 2003 tax relief, which helped grow the economy, repeal the death tax, and lower the tax rates paid by our job creators.

Do you favor or oppose the new federal health care law?

Explain.

Murray: Last year alone, 10,000 Washington state residents wrote to tell me that our health care system was broken and they were suffering.

We had to do something.

While it isn’t perfect, thanks to the new law, children with preexisting conditions can see a doctor, your kids can stay on your insurance until age 26 and seniors are getting help paying for their prescriptions.

And I am committed to continuing to make improvements for all Americans.

Rossi: The “reform” passed by Congress was a tax and spend bill.

Turn

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Election Guide

A public service of the Peninsula Daily News

For the election ending November 2, 2010

15

U.S. senator from Washington state ing far from the border .

I have been in contact with the Border Patrol and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano inquiring if this is the best use of federal resources.

Border Patrol must partner with the community to increase our nation’s security.

Continued from preceding page

Premiums for families will increase, taxes on the middle class will increase by half a trillion dollars, and seniors will face a $500 billion cut in Medicare.

Congress’ health-care “reform” was crafted with special interests, not the American people.

We must replace it with proposals that give power to patients and doctors, like allowing Washingtonians to purchase insurance across state lines and common-sense reform.

What should be America’s role on the world stage?

Murray: America’s actions as a global neighbor and the security of our own country go hand in hand.

As we work to get our economy back on track, we can’t neglect the world community.

I have worked to strengthen America’s moral leadership on the world stage, build good will and forge new partnerships that will increase our security and our trade opportunities abroad.

Patty Murray

Dino Rossi

Residence: Bothell

Residence: Sammamish

Phone: 206-286-9199

Phone: 425-451-2010

E-mail: patty@pattymurray.com Age: 59 Education: Bachelor’s degree from Washington State University Occupation: U.S. senator, former preschool teacher

Campaign website: www.pattymurray.com Rossi: When America is strong, we are safe.

Have you ever held Our men and women in unielective public office, and if form need the tools necessary to so, what? Yes, current U.S. complete their missions and senator, former state senator, return safe.

1989-1993; former Shoreline We have strengthened alliSchool Board member and ances so our friends and our board president potential adversaries know where we stand.

Party preference: That includes ensuring victory Democratic Party over global terrorism and completing our missions in Iraq and Afghanistan by listening to the advice of our commanders and ensuring we have a clear plan for victory and sustained peace. state exports, and as new trade agreements are considered, I will How would you generate continue support the strongest more trade opportunities for labor and environmental stanWashington state from the dards possible.

Pacific Rim? Rossi: We need to do all that we can to encourage trade and Murray: I have always done everything I could to expand new commerce for Washington state, trade opportunities for Washing- as it is a critical part of our state’s economy. ton state by opening up export I will work to keep taxes modmarkets for Washington state est and restore fair and predictproducts while also pushing for able regulation so that our comthe strongest enforcement of panies can prosper and compete trade agreements. in the global market.

I will continue to support Washington businesses are efforts to expand Washington

E-mail: info@dinorossi.com Age: 51 Education: Bachelor’s degree, business management, Seattle University Occupation: Selfemployed, commercial real estate Campaign website: www.dinorossi.com Have you ever held elective public office, and if so, what? Washington state Senate from 1997 through 2003 representing the 5th Legislative District in East King County Party preference: Republican Party

missing a large part of the market share because trade agreements have languished due to lack of leadership.

Do you support or oppose the increase in the Border Patrol on the North Olympic Peninsula?

Rossi: Yes, I support taking all measures at our disposal to keep our nation secure.

Being a border state, and with rising threats, Washington state should make sure that all precautions and protections are taken to keep our state safe.

Give three ways you will serve the needs of Washington state.

Murray: I know these are tough times, and you need a representative who will fight for you.

That’s why my first priority will continue to be creating jobs for Washington state.

Second, I will keep working to crack down on Wall Street and make your savings safe again.

And finally, I will never stop fighting to bring your community the resources it needs.

Whether it’s broadband or ferries, I will always listen and fight for you.

Rossi: ■ Create an environment that encourages private sector job growth ■ Repeal the Reid-Pelosi health-care bill that is a $500 billion tax increase and replace it with something that lowers costs and increases access ■ Stop the out-of-control spending and pay down the deficit and debt so we don’t pass on a crippling debt to our children and grandchildren Why should voters choose you over your opponent?

Murray: I stood up for strong Wall Street reform to protect you from big banks gambling with Murray: I have supported your money. increased security along the I fought to bring your communorth border to make sure it does nities good investments and crenot become a route for terrorists. ate jobs here.

However, I share concerns My opponent, Dino Rossi, is raised by community members promising to repeal those protecregarding Border Patrol operattions and sit on his hands

About the job U.S. senator Partisan or nonpartisan: Partisan Term: Six years General election boundaries: Statewide Voters: 3,568,527 Compensation: $174,000 yearly salary, with annual cost-of-living increases.

Senate members receive health and retirement benefits under the plans available to other federal employees.

Members can participate in the Civil Service Retirement System or the Federal Employees’ Retirement System.

Duties: The 100 members of the Senate draft bills and vote to enact federal laws.

Spending bills are initiated in the House, but exclusive powers held by the Senate include consenting to treaties and confirming appointments of Cabinet secretaries, federal judges and ambassadors and trying impeached federal officials.

instead of working for you. I think that’s wrong.

I will always fight to do what’s right for you. I ask for your vote to keep the Peninsula moving forward.

Rossi: Voters have a choice: Do they want an 18-year incumbent with a record of taxing, spending and growing government, or someone from a small business background who worked across party lines to balance a budget in the largest deficit in history without raising taxes?

America’s future is mortgaged with trillion-dollar deficits, stimulus packages and bailouts.

We can’t change direction until we change the political leadership.

16

Election Guide

For the election ending November 2, 2010

A public service of the Peninsula Daily News

STATE OF WASHINGTON

Initiatives 1053, 1082 ✔ 1053: Eyman pushes two-thirds votes on taxes

By Curt Woodward The Associated Press

Initiative activist Tim Eyman’s latest smaller-government campaign is straight from the greatest hits collection: Requiring a two-thirds supermajority for the Legislature to raise taxes.

The concept has been supported by Washington voters multiple times in ballot measures over the years.

It also has been suspended by state lawmakers when tight budgets push them to raise taxes, as majority Democrats did earlier this year.

With the economy still stagnant, voters feeling uneasy and the state budget continuing to ­hemorrhage revenue, Eyman and his business supporters see a perfect opportunity to reinstate those roadblocks.

Initiative 1053 would make state tax increases more difficult to impose by forcing the Legislature to get a two-thirds majority vote, rather than the simple majority required for most legislation.

Voters could be asked Lawmakers also could send taxes to the ballot for simplemajority approval by voters.

Supporters point to this year’s $770 million package of tax hikes from the Democrat-led Legislature and Gov. Chris Gregoire, part of the solution to a $2.8 billion deficit in the roughly $30 billion state general fund budget.

Those tax hikes would have been impossible under I-1053, as Democrats had to suspend the two-thirds hurdle before moving ahead with lower majorities to raise taxes.

“They were never debating whether to increase taxes. They were debating ‘Which taxes do we increase, and how much do

Proposed by Initiative Petition Initiative Measure No. 1053 Initiative Measure No. 1053 concerns tax and fee increases imposed by state government.

This measure would restate existing statutory requirements that legislative actions raising taxes must be approved by two-thirds legislative majorities or receive voter approval, and that new or increased fees require majority legislative approval. Should this measure be enacted into law?  Yes  No we increase them?’” Eyman said.

“That’s not what voters want.

They want tax increases to be the last resort.”

Some of I-1053’s supporters also are looking to protect themselves during next year’s legislative session, when Olympia will be grappling with yet another major budget deficit tied to the Great Recession.

A prime example is the oil industry, which blocked an attempt by environmentalists earlier this year to raise taxes on refineries.

Oil companies have given about $280,000 combined to the two committees supporting I-1053.

A wide range of other business interests have joined in the cause, including restaurateurs, real estate agents, banks, forest products companies and farmers.

As in his recent campaigns, Eyman also loaned I-1053 $250,000 to get the expensive signature-gathering phase of the campaign under way.

Signature-gathering Overall, supporters have spent more than $940,000, according to the latest figures from the state Public Disclosure Commission. Most of that has gone toward signature-gathering costs to get the measure on the ballot.

The money is spread between two campaign committees, one tied to Eyman’s ongoing initia-

tive operation and the other the Association of Washington Business.

Opponents of I-1053 are waging a “no” campaign on a relatively shoestring budget, with about $125,000 raised and very little spent so far. Most of the money comes from labor unions and and hospitals.

But some liberal advocates have put together a combined public-education effort to oppose several initiatives and enact their own preferred ballot measures: an income tax on the wealthy and a debt-financed program of energy efficiency upgrades at public buildings.

Opponents stress that I-1053 will allow a small slice of the Legislature to overthrow the usual principle of majority rule, an effect they call undemocratic.

Critics also argue the concept is legally problematic, since the state constitution says most legislation is passed by a simple majority vote.

“It basically ties the hands of the Legislature and allows a small minority to take control of the budget. It’s not as the constitution intended it,” said Celia Schorr, spokeswoman for the opposition campaign.

Opponents also point out that the measure would make it tougher for the Legislature to roll back any tax breaks that are on the books, since that would be defined as a tax increase under the measure.

✔ 1082: Voters asked to reform workers’ comp Peninsula Daily News news sources

Washington voters will vote on whether to allow private-sector competition to provide an alternative to the state-run industrial insurance system known as workers’ compensation.

The Building Industry Association of Washington, insurance companies and business lobbies, which have raised $1.37 million for the campaign, are backing the measure, I-1082.

The BIAW and Liberty Mutual Group, a Delaware-based insurance company, have spent $500,000 each in support of the initiative.

But the measure has its opponents, including state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler and state Auditor Brian Sonntag, both Democrats, labor unions and trial lawyers.

Proposed by Initiative Petition Initiative Measure No. 1082 Initiative Measure No. 1082 concerns industrial insurance.

This measure would authorize employers to purchase private industrial insurance beginning July 1, 2012; direct the Legislature to enact conforming legislation by March 1, 2012; and eliminate the worker-paid share of medical-benefit premiums. Should this measure be enacted into law?  Yes  No

insurance since 1911, and today is one of only four states that do not allow private competition in this industry.

If passed, it would “authorize employers to purchase private Two campaigns industrial insurance beginning Two campaigns, Stop InsurJuly 1, 2012; direct the Legislaance Industry Takeover and No ture to enact conforming legislaon 1082, have raised about $1.8 tion by March 1, 2012; and elimimillion. nate the worker-paid share of Supporters say a private medical-benefit premiums.” option would lower insurance Currently, businesses and rates by adding competition to workers must pay into the state’s the market.

Worker Compensation Fund or This year, they note, the state prove they are financially solvent Department of Labor and Indus- enough to self-insure. tries, which administers the Private insurance companies, workers’ compensation fund, which would be regulated by the raised premium rates 7.6 perstate’s insurance commissioner, cent, costing numerous busiwill capture about half the indusnesses thousands of dollars. trial insurance market by 2013, Opponents call I-1082 a giveaccording to the state’s Office of away to the insurance industry, Financial Management. claiming it guts regulations on According to Initiative 1082’s insurance and leaves small busi- text, the goals of the measure are nesses vulnerable to rate to: increases.

■ Maintain existing benefit If it passes, I-1082 would over- levels for injured workers while turn laws in place since the early improving their opportunity to decades of Washington statehood. return to work.

The state has had a governTurn to next page ment-run monopoly for industrial

Election Guide

A public service of the Peninsula Daily News

For the election ending November 2, 2010

17

STATE OF WASHINGTON

Initiatives 1082, 1098 tive, state Sen. Jeanne KohlWelles, D-Seattle, chair of the Senate Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection Committee, and Rep. Steve Conway, D-Tacoma, her counterpart in the Continued from preceding page House, call I-1082 “a shining example of how the citizen’s initiative process has been co-opted ■ Eliminate the requirement by special interests.” that workers pay one-half of The initiative, they said, their medical coverage for on-thewould force small business ownjob injuries. ers and state and local govern■ Open up the current statements to pay the share of workrun industrial insurance system ers’ compensation premiums now to competition from private paid by employees. industrial insurance providers, “Even the proponents of with a July 1, 2012, start date for I-1082 say this change will cost an open market. small businesses $315 million. It ■ Maintain a “best practices” comes at a uniquely bad time, approach to worker safety as and with our state just now developed by both private and beginning to make some headpublic sectors. way after a horrible recession,” Labor and Industries Kohl-Welles wrote for The Seattle Times.

For decades, Washington’s She and Conway said higher industrial insurance system has education and local governments been run solely by the state Department of Labor and Indus- would suffer by paying more, as will local fire districts. tries, or L&I. Only a relatively small numHybrid system ber of businesses, often large firms, self-insure.

Initiative 1082 would convert The vast majority of Washing- Washington’s industrial insurton’s businesses are forced to do ance model from a fully state-run business with the state, which system into the hybrid system, has created a fractious relationwhich most states currently ship. have.

“I personally yearn for the day As of mid-2010, 15 states have when the mammoth state a public/private hybrid model; 31 Department of Labor and Indus- have the private-only option. tries is closed down, windows Washington, Ohio, North shuttered, with weeds growing Dakota and Wyoming are the all over its sprawling campus,” only states with a fully public Tom McCabe, BIAW executive model. vice president, wrote earlier this In 1971, Washington allowed year in the publication Building companies to self-insure their Insight. work force, but the qualifications Two opponents of the initiato become eligible to self-insure are so strict that only large companies can afford the option.

Who’s playing?

That totals to fewer than 400 companies statewide, according John Nelson’s “Live Music” column tells to the Center for Public Policy, in you. an analysis of I-1082.

By comparison, the state-run Thursdays in L&I fund covers 168,000 employPeninsula ers that employ 2.4 million workDaily News ers.

✔ 1082: Goals of privatizing workers’ comp

✔ 1098: Wealthy would be subject to income tax

By Curt Woodward The Associated Press

The state that produced America’s richest man has never taken a cut of its residents’ income.

Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates and his father would like to change that.

They are among the wealthy Washingtonians who have joined labor unions and other traditional Democratic allies to support a tax-the-rich ballot measure that is dividing the state’s business leaders.

Executives at Microsoft, Amazon.com and other technology companies have come out against it.

The initiative will test whether voters are willing to buck economic jitters and drain money from their rich neighbors at a time when national Democrats and Republicans have been waging an intense election-year battle over the merits of taxing the wealthy.

Washington’s measure, known as Initiative 1098, would institute a new state tax on the top 1 percent of incomes to pay for education and health programs while trimming state property and business taxes.

The campaign follows January’s overwhelming decision by Oregon voters to increase taxes for corporations and wealthier households.

Public face While his famous son’s public support has so far been quiet, Bill Gates Sr., a prominent Seattle lawyer, helped to draft Washington’s income tax initiative and is the public face of the campaign.

In recent TV ad, the elder Gates is knocked into a dunk tank by softball-tossing children — a playful approach to the idea

Proposed by Initiative Petition Initiative Measure No. 1098 Initiative Measure No. 1098 concerns establishing a state income tax and reducing other taxes.

This measure would tax “adjusted gross income” above $200,000 (individuals) and $400,000 (joint-filers), reduce state property tax levies, reduce certain business and occupation taxes, and direct any increased revenues to education and health. Should this measure be enacted into law?  Yes  No that the measure will “soak the rich.”

Gates counters by highlighting the billions of dollars the income tax would generate for education and health care programs.

“It’s really about doing something for the next generation,” Gates says before taking the plunge.

The initiative sets out two tax brackets.

The first rate is 5 percent on the portion of adjusted gross income higher than $400,000 for couples, or $200,000 for individuals.

For joint incomes above $1 million, the tax would be $30,000 plus 9 percent on earnings over the threshold.

Single-earners above $500,000 would pay $15,000 plus 9 percent of income above the threshold.

State officials say I-1098 would raise more than $2 billion annually from fewer than 40,000 households, or 1.2 percent of Washingtonians filing federal returns.

national Union.

Individual donors include Gates Sr., who has given $500,000, and venture capitalist Nick Hanauer, who has donated $250,000.

But plenty of big-name business leaders are unhappy with the idea.

Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer each have donated $100,000 to the $4 million opposition campaign, which also has drawn contributions from Russell Investments, Paccar Inc., software billionaire Charles Simonyi and members of the Nordstrom family.

Opponents stress that state lawmakers could lower the income thresholds with a simple majority vote two years after the initiative is enacted, and point out that state officials routinely raid “dedicated” spending accounts in lean years.

They also add that, in a time of terribly slow job growth, taking more money from entrepreneurs and businesspeople could seriously crimp the state’s economic rebound.

One of seven states The privacy of tax returns Washington is one of seven makes it impossible to say how states without a personal income much the state’s marquee busitax. ness names might pay under the The $4.3 million “yes” caminitiative, but the tax would paign is bankrolled largely by apply to personal earnings from labor unions, particularly those partnerships, shares in small correpresenting government porations, capital gains and other employees — more than $1.7 mil- non-salary sources of income. lion has come from various arms Turn to next page of the Service Employees Inter-

18

For the election ending November 2, 2010

Election Guide

A public service of the Peninsula Daily News

STATE OF WASHINGTON

Initiatives 1098, 1100, 1105 ✔ 1098: State’s rich clash over income tax plan

parked it in, or as jet fuel in our private planes,” Hanauer said.

“It’s just nuts.”

Populist appeal

Liberals have been hoping the Continued from preceding page measure’s populist appeal would help drive friendly turnout in a political year that could be brutal Right now, Washington’s lack for Democrats. of income tax can be a major But voters don’t appear wildly recruitment point for businesses enthusiastic. and talent looking to relocate, said Joe Barer, president of manA recent survey by indepenagement consulting firm Lake dent Seattle pollster Stuart Partners.

Elway pegged support for the “I don’t think people come income tax initiative essentially here just for the weather,” said tied with the opposition, 44 perBarer, who has donated to the cent to 42 percent. The poll of opposition campaign.

500 likely voters had a margin of “I’ve personally recruited peo- sampling error of about 4.5 perple, and part of the pitch is, ’Yes cent. it’s a great place to live — and High-profile politicians also we have no income tax.”’ have been reluctant to particiHanauer, one of the earliest pate in the debate, probably Amazon.com investors and because the public appears so founder of the online ad company uncertain. aQuantive, sees the economics For instance, the initiative has differently. not been an issue in the state’s In his judgment, the kind of top election contest, a heated wealth at stake in the initiative race between Democratic Sen. could do far more good for the Patty Murray and Republican economy by bankrolling public challenger Dino Rossi. school teachers and other vital Income tax measures have services. been attempted over the years in “If you look at the money that Washington with little success. somebody like me — or Jeff Voters have defeated attempts Bezos or Steve Ballmer — where to amend the state constitution our cash flow goes, it’s crazy to for a state income tax, most assert that the highest and best recently in 1973, and the topic use is in our bank accounts, or in has often been considered a politthe hedge funds that we’ve ical loser since then.

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✔ 1100, 1105: Is it last call for state liquor stores?

By Rachel La Corte The Associated Press

The battle over Washington state’s two liquor privatization ballot measures has drawn millions of dollars from out of state, mostly from beer wholesalers opposed to efforts to shake up the current alcohol distribution system.

Initiatives 1100 and 1105 would both abolish the state’s current monopoly on liquor distribution and sales in favor of private businesses.

But I-1100 — backed by Costco Wholesale Corp. and other large retailers — goes further.

It would eliminate price controls and other regulations, such as bans against volume discounts and paying on credit, that exist for beer and wine distribution and sales.

Some of those have been in place since the 1930s.

Retailers with licenses to sell beer and wine would be eligible to add a liquor license, and they would gain the ability to buy beer, wine and spirits directly from manufacturers instead of going through distributors.

Three-tier system Those changes disrupt the current three-tier system — producers, distributors and retailers — in which retailers generally are required to use distributors.

Of the $8.4 million raised in opposition to I-1100 and 1105, more than $5.4 million has come from sources in more than 30 other states, including many state beer or beer and wine wholesale groups.

The two biggest donors, at $2.4 million apiece, come from the Washington, D.C.-based Beer Institute, and the Virginia-based National Beer Wholesalers Association.

The national wholesalers group represents about 25 dis-

Proposed by Initiative Petition Initiative Measure No. 1100 Initiative Measure No. 1100 concerns liquor (beer, wine and spirits).

This measure would close state liquor stores; authorize sale, distribution, and importation of spirits by private parties; and repeal certain requirements that govern the business operations of beer and wine distributers [sic] and producers. Should this measure be enacted into law?  Yes  No Proposed by Initiative Petition Initiative Measure No. 1105 Initiative Measure No. 1105 concerns liquor (beer, wine and spirits).

This measure would close all state liquor stores and license private parties to sell or distribute spirits. It would revise laws concerning regulation, taxation and government revenues from distribution and sale of spirits. Should this measure be enacted into law?  Yes  No tributors in Washington state, said Craig Purser, the group’s president.

The current three-tier system is necessary to promote a level playing field, he said.

“We see this as a really bad way to privatize,” Purser said.

“There are a number of our companies and a number of our employees who are very, very concerned.”

If I-1100 passes in Washington, other states that have the initiative process — control and license states alike — could potentially face similar ballot measures that make changes to distribution laws.

“That is certainly a concern,” said Mike Lashbrook, president of the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, which has given $25,000 to the “no” campaign.

Ashley Bach, a spokesman for the Yes on I-1100 campaign, said retailers and wineries and brewer-

ies will likely still use distributors.

But big stores like Costco that already have their own distribution system will no longer be required to pay for a service they don’t need.

Power transfer “It’s going to transfer a little bit of the power away from the distributors,” he said, but “it’s not like distributors are going to go away.”

The distributors are joined by a wide coalition of groups that are fighting the privatization effort, saying that the measures will hurt everything from the state budget to public safety to small businesses, including the state’s wine and beer industry.

“This is really bad public policy,” said Sandeep Kaushik, a spokesman for the No on I-1100/1105 campaign. “They’re too risky and they go too far.”

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Election Guide

A public service of the Peninsula Daily News

For the election ending November 2, 2010

19

STATE OF WASHINGTON

Initiatives 1100, 1105, 1107 ✔ 1100, 1105: Initiatives differ over distribution Continued from preceding page Washington is among 18 so-called “control” or “monopoly” states that exercise broad powers over wholesale distribution of hard liquor.

Of those states, 12 — including Washington — are also involved in retail alcohol sales through either state-run liquor stores, outlets operated by private contractors, or both.

The other initiative I-1105, which is opposed by the I-1100 campaign, would keep in place state laws that protect beer and wine distributors — which are the main financial supporters of I-1105.

The measure would also keep in place prohibitions on bulk discounts for beer and wine but would allow them for sales of hard liquor.

Bellevue-based Odom Southern Holdings and Los Angeles-based Youngs Market Co. have raised more than $2.2

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million for the I-1105 campaign, but that effort spent most of its money qualifying for the ballot, and hasn’t raised any money since July.

Both are members of the Washington Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, which has given nearly $2 million to the No on I-1100/1105 campaign.

The I-1100 campaign has raised more than $3 million, with more than $1.3 million coming from Issaquah-based Costco.

That campaign also has the support of the Washington Restaurant Association, the Northwest Grocery Association and the Association of Washington Business.

Opposition coalition A coalition of several groups oppose the liquor privatization initiatives, including unions, the Washington state Council of Firefighters, and several craft breweries and wineries.

A TV ad that the opposition group has been running raises concerns about public safety if the number of liquor stores in the state increase, showing crumpled cars and emergency responders.

Opponents — including Gov. Chris Gregoire — also stress the potential loss of revenue to state and local coffers, because of the elimination of the liquor markup imposed by the state.

I-1105 would also remove all additional liquor taxes, which the Legislature would have to restore to reduce the financial hit to state and local governments.

While the liquor privatization debate hasn’t been able to gain traction in Washington state until this year’s initiative measures, the state Legislature has already made several changes to the three-tier system over the years, including allowing brewers and wineries to sell directly to consumers, and allowing retailers to buy directly

from wineries and brewers.

Paul Beveridge, owner of Wilridge Winery in Seattle and president of Family Wineries of Washington, said he supports I-1100 because he’s tired of slowly having to get piecemeal changes done by the Legislature.

“Every time someone has a new idea about how to sell Washington wine, they need to go to the Legislature and ask for permission,” Beveridge said.

“It’s limiting my economic growth.”

There’s a split in the state’s wine industry on the measures, with the Washington Wine Institute coming out strongly against I-1100 but taking no position on I-1105.

The state’s largest winery, Chateau Ste. Michelle, has taken a neutral position in the debate.

Craft breweries Many craft breweries have come out against both initiatives.

At a recent craft beer festival in Tacoma, several of the vendors had No on I-1100/1105 signs hanging at their booths.

Heather McClung, owner of Schooner Exact Brewing Co. in Seattle and president of the Washington Brewer’s Guild, said the only consumers who will see price benefits for liquor and beer will be those who shop at Costco and other big box stores, because the smaller stores won’t be able to benefit from the volume discounts.

“If you look at the economic coalition, who is it really benefiting?” she asked.

Anne McGrath, a spokeswoman for the Washington Wine Institute, said such a sweeping change to the distribution laws was concerning to several wineries that don’t know how their bottom line will be affected under dramatic changes.

I-1100 goes further than any other wine-producing state, she said, adding, “We hate to be an experiment.”

✔ 1107: Tax on candy, other food items questioned

By Rachel La Corte The Associated Press

Washington state consumers started paying more for soda, candy and gum this year amid a nationwide push to impose higher taxes on sugary foods.

But the soft drink industry is fighting back.

The industry has spent more than $14 million and counting to overturn the state tax in a November ballot measure, hoping to stop the movement dead in its tracks here and send a powerful message to states contemplating similar efforts.

Several states considered raising taxes on candy and soda this year, but those efforts only gained traction in Colorado and Washington.

Congress briefly considered a soda tax as part of health care reform, but the idea was dropped after heavy lobbying and spending by the soda industry and other groups.

Opponents of the Washington tax responded by gathering enough signatures to get a measure on the ballot seeking to overturn the law.

Proposed by Initiative Petition Initiative Measure No. 1107 Initiative Measure No. 1107 concerns reversing certain 2010 amendments to state tax laws.

This measure would end sales tax on candy; end temporary sales tax on some bottled water; end temporary excise taxes on carbonated beverages; and reduce tax rates for certain food processors. Should this measure be enacted into law?  Yes  No

comprises a coalition of unions, community health groups and other advocacy groups, has raised only about $340,000.

The American Beverage Association refused several interview requests by The Associated Press.

But Tim Martin, the president of Harbor Pacific Bottling in Elma, said that while the money is coming from out of state, it’s representing thousands of state businesses like his who are memSoft drink lobby bers of the national association The American Beverage Asso- and are affected by the new ciation, whose members include taxes.

Coca-Cola Co., PepsiCo Inc. and “I don’t think any industry Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc., should be singled out for targeted has played a big role in the effort, taxes,” he said. demonstrating yet again the “When you start picking out political muscle of the soft drink different industries or different lobby. products to tax, then where does “This is about large soda com- it stop?” panies coming into our state and More than 30 states have trying to get a tax break,” said some form of soda tax, averaging Celia Schorr, spokeswoman for about 5 cents per dollar of soda. the No on I-1107 campaign.

Raising those taxes has “I really, really doubt that the become a popular option for lawAmerican Beverage Association makers as they face giant deficits put more than $14 million in and get the added benefit of disWashington because they’re wor- couraging people from consuming ried about how much Washingto- unhealthy foods. nians pay in taxes.”

Turn to next page The “no” campaign, which

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For the election ending November 2, 2010

Election Guide

A public service of the Peninsula Daily News

STATE OF WASHINGTON

Initiative 1107, Referendum 52 ✔ 1107: Tax on candy, other food items up for vote Continued from preceding page But the industry has made clear it will fight all soda tax efforts.

At a conference held by trade publication Beverage Digest this summer, the chief financial officer of Coca-Cola said the soft drink industry has to work together to make sure proposed soda taxes never come to pass.

Gary Fayard said that even though shoppers will continue to buy soft drinks if the price goes up, the industry’s profits would be hurt.

“We’re an easy target as an industry, and this is one where we’re all going to have to pull together and work diligently because it’s a threat,” Fayard said.

In July, Washington bottlers started paying a 2-cent excise tax per 12-ounce bottle or can, with the first $10 million of business exempted from the tax.

Tax increase Martin said the tax increase simply gets passed down to customers, who ultimately pay more than 2 cents extra per can of soda.

In addition to the soda tax, candy and gum is now subject to the state’s 6.5 percent sales tax, with a tax credit tied to jobs for candy manufacturers with employees in the state.

Bottled water is also now subject to the sales tax.

Business and occupation taxes were also raised on the makers of some processed foods.

The taxes are expected to bring the state $352 million over five years, with local governments set to receive about $89 million over that same time.

I-1107 seeks to repeal the tax

on carbonated beverages and bottled water, the sales tax on candy and gum, and to reduce business and occupation rates for some food processors.

At a downtown Olympia coffee shop recently, 76-year-old Joe Michel said he hadn’t yet decided how he would vote.

Michel said that he’s not necessarily opposed to increasing taxes, but he said he thought it was odd how candy is defined under the new tax.

Anything that lists flour as an ingredient is not taxed as candy.

So for example, while Reese’s peanut butter cups are subject to the sales tax, a Kit Kat bar is not.

“The details about what’s taxed and what’s not doesn’t really make sense,” Michel said.

Pact with other states State officials said the definition draws from an agreement Washington has with other states covering uniform tax definitions.

The expanded taxes were part of a broader tax package lawmakers approved as they worked to balance a $2.8 billion budget deficit while trying to limit cuts to social services and other programs.

The House’s key budget writer pointed to across-theboard cuts ordered by Gov. Chris Greogire that recently took effect, including reductions to several programs for the poor and elderly.

She said that without the extra taxes, things would be much worse.

“If we hadn’t had that extra revenue, we would have made those cuts sooner and they would have been larger,” said Rep. Kelli Linville, D-Bellingham.

Peter Buller, a 27-year-old student at Evergreen State College, said he would vote against I-1107.

“Taxing nonessential items is a totally different beast than taxing things we require,” he said.

✔ 52: Schools would gain better energy efficiency

By Phuong Le

The Associated Press

Teachers unions, labor groups and contractors are backing a statewide ballot measure that would issue $505 million in bonds to pay for energy retrofits at public schools and colleges across the state.

Referendum 52 authorizes the state to exceed the debt limit in the state constitution for the bonds and continue the sales tax on bottled water set to expire 2013 to pay for improvements.

Supporters say the measure will replace aging pipes and heating and cooling systems, install more efficient windows and lighting, and make other energy-efficient improvements.

They say it will create jobs, save energy costs over the years and create a healthier learning environment.

“We have a lot of old schools in the state,” said Kevin Laverty, a Mukilteo School Board member and president of the Washington State School Directors’ Association, which supports the referendum.

“This money is going to go a long way.”

Opponents say it will saddle the state with too much debt and won’t create the number of jobs or provide the energy savings that supporters say it will.

“R-52 is not going to come through with the results that the proponents think it’s going to,” said Rep. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake.

“It’s like maxing out our credit cards and using it for disposable items, like light bulbs and windows.”

$505 million Under Referendum 52, the state will borrow $505 million by issuing bonds to be repaid from future revenue.

Another measure on the November ballot, Initiative 1107, however, would repeal the

Proposed to the People by the Legislature Referendum Bill No. 52 The legislature has passed Engrossed House Bill No. 2561, concerning authorizing and funding bonds for energy efficiency projects in schools.

This bill would authorize bonds to finance construction and repair projects increasing energy efficiency in public schools and higher education buildings, and continue the sales tax on bottled water otherwise expiring in 2013.

Should this bill be:  Approved  Rejected bottled water tax.

The 29-year debt service will cost $937 million.

Public school districts and public higher education institutions will compete for grants to pay for construction projects, and at least 5 percent of the total amount will be awarded to districts with fewer than 1,000 students.

Supporters have raised $427,019, with McKinstry Essention, a construction and design company, being R-52’s largest contributor at $52,000.

The firm’s chief executive officer, Dean Allen, also gave $25,000, according to the latest state Public Disclosure Commission figures.

Other large donations have come from Quantum Engineering, Public School Employees of Washington and the Washington Building and Construction Trades Council.

project,” he added.

Supporters say the measure will create 30,000 jobs, a combination of part- and full-time work that last for about a year. Opponents put that number closer to 5,700 short-term jobs.

The pro-R52 figure is based on state estimates of 16 jobs created for every $1 million spent in construction, but it also takes into account match money provided local districts as well as money saved from energy efficiencies.

Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish, who sponsored legislation to put the issue before voters, said the measure will result in millions in energy savings.

“Energy is the coming problem and we need jobs and it’s the time to do it,” he said.

For Jamie Downing, an English teacher in Yakima County’s Grandview High School, making improvement boils down to a better teaching environment.

Some critics She teaches in an old building Although there is no apparent where blown fuses are common, so she and her students have to organized opposition, the Washbe careful about how many lapington Policy Center has been a vocal critic, along with Republican tops or other equipment is plugged in at one time. legislators.

The central heating and air “What are we getting for another $1 billion in debt?” asked conditioning system is also old, Todd Myers, the center’s environ- meaning that classroom temperamental director. tures fluctuate regularly; it rarely A similar state program hasn’t gets above 65 degrees in the winlived up to its promises and has ter, she said, and the air condioften resulted in smaller energy tioning is often down during hot savings than projected, he said. days, as it was earlier this week.

“Schools that have real needs “The kids were complaining. will see their money go to They’re not wanting to learn. It schools that may have fewer doesn’t make it very comfortable,” needs but have an energy retrofit Downing said.

Election Guide

A public service of the Peninsula Daily News

For the election ending November 2, 2010

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STATE OF WASHINGTON

HJR 4220, SJR 8225 ✔ 4220: Police killer’s release stirs ballot item Peninsula Daily News news sources

One of the nine statewide measures on the Nov. 2 ballot is ripped right out of the pages of the state’s newspapers last November.

Had Maurice Clemmons not killed four Lakewood police officers in cold blood almost a year ago, voters in the Nov. 2 election would not be considering Engrossed Substitute House Joint Resolution 4220, which proposes a constitutional amendment to give judges greater leeway in denying bail to defendants.

Clemmons, who had a violent criminal history, faced four felony charges and possibly life in prison when he was bailed out of Pierce County jail on Nov. 23, 2009.

✔ 8225: Debt limit would rise for federal funds Peninsula Daily News news sources

A proposed constitutional amendment, Senate Joint Resolution 8225 on the Nov. 2 ballot, proposes redefining “interest” in the state constitution to make state general obligation bonds eligible for a new federal subsidy called “Build America Bonds,” and alter the way in which the state’s debt limit is calculated.

State Treasurer Jim McIntire said the measure is worth a quick and simple “yes” to allow Washington access to federal funds for roads, bridges and other projects like other states are already doing.

Under Build America Bonds, the federal government pays 35 percent of the interest on taxable state bonds. It is an alternative

Six days later, Clemmons stepped into the Forza Coffee Shop in Lakewood and assassinated Sgt. Mark Renninger and Officers Ronald Owens, Tina Griswold and Greg Richards.

In response, lawmakers are asking voters to amend the state constitution. HJR 4220 requires a simple majority of voters.

Proposed to the People by the Legislature Amendment to the State Constitution Engrossed Substitute House Joint Resolution No. 4220 The legislature has proposed a constitutional amendment on denying bail for persons charged with certain criminal offenses.

This amendment would authorize courts to deny bail for offenses punishable by the possibility of life in prison, on clear and convincing evidence of a propensity for violence that would likely endanger persons. Should this constitutional amendment be:  Approved  Rejected

say, ‘No bail,’” said Lindquist.

But Seattle University law professor Robert Boruchowitz said amending the state constitution won’t prevent another Lakewood-type shooting.

“It’s an overreaction to . . . a tragic event,” Boruchowitz said.

‘Presumed innocent’

In short, passage would allow a judge to deny bail to people charged with an offense punishable by life in prison such as a third-strike felony, rape of a child, murder or other serious crimes.

Before denying bail, a judge must also find clear and convincing evidence that the defendant has a propensity for violence and poses a likely danger to the public.

Rep. Mike Hope, R-Lake Stevens, a veteran Seattle police officer, was one of those who got the amendment started in the Legislature.

“It’s a bad idea because it would expand the number of people in jail, even though they’re presumed innocent.”

Boruchowitz said court rules now in place give a judge the ability to keep someone in jail by setting high bail or placing other It would deal with dangerous Pierce County Prosecuting restrictions on a defendant habitual offenders like ClemAttorney Mark Lindquist — who deemed to be dangerous. mons, he said. would have prosecuted the ClemHe also said the language of “You have a person facing a mons case had the killer not him- the amendment is broad and third strike and life in prison and self been killed days later — has ambiguous, with no definition of he’s been arrested,” Hope told joined Gov. Chris Gregoire and “propensity for violence.”

The Seattle Times. many in law enforcement to supBut for the measure’s chief “It didn’t make sense he port the amendment. sponsor, Rep. Hope, “this is the would be released into society for “The only solution is the conbiggest, most important piece of a crime spree, knowing he had stitutional amendment coming law enforcement legislation in nothing to lose.” up. The judge should be able to years.”

to making the bonds federally tax-free, and for the state it is a better alternative for short- and medium-term bonds.

The direct subsidy allows states to borrow more money to build roads, ferries, buildings and other public works with no extra cost to state taxpayers.

To do this, the state must raise the 9 percent limit now built into the constitution, which SJR 8225 proposes to do.

The formula for setting the constitutional debt limit, McIntire said, was written assuming that all the interest on bonds in the state would be paid by the

state. No one imagined the federal government would volunteer to pay some of the states’ interest bills, he said.

Opponents of SJR 8225, generally Republican lawmakers in the state House and Senate who oppose Obama administration economic recovery policies, note that the state’s constitutional debt limit prevents the state from borrowing more than it can reasonably pay back.

They fear that the state could get in credit trouble by lifting the debt limit.

A simple majority vote is required to pass the measure.

Bail denial

Proposed to the People by the Legislature Amendment to the State Constitution Senate Joint Resolution No. 8225 The Legislature has proposed a constitutional amendment concerning the limitation on state debt.

This amendment would require the state to reduce the interest accounted for in calculating the constitutional debt limit, by the amount of federal payments scheduled to be received to offset that interest. Should this constitutional amendment be:  Approved  Rejected

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Election Guide

For the election ending November 2, 2010

A public service of the Peninsula Daily News

STATE OF WASHINGTON

Supreme Court justice Council admonished Sanders for touring the state’s sexual predator commitment center on Incumbent state Supreme McNeil Island when many of the Court Justice Richard Sanders inmates had current appeals defeated Bainbridge Island attor- pending. ney Charlie Wiggins in a three“Justice Sanders consistently way primary election in August. votes in favor of cutting costs for As the top two vote-getters, builders at the expense of city both candidates advance to the governments and taxpayers,” Nov. 2 general election because Wiggins wrote on his election Sanders, a Vashon Island resiwebsite. dent, failed to capture more than “Protecting developers takes 50 percent of the vote in the race, priority over environmental conwhich eliminated Pierce County cerns and existing legislation for Superior Court Judge Bryan Justice Sanders.”

Chushcoff.

Sanders, who in his 15 years Wiggins has attacked Sandon the state’s highest bench, has ers, a self-described libertarian, made several decisions to open both in his judicial decisions and government records, said on his his actions. campaign website that he is a In 2008, Sanders yelled champion of freedom. “tyrant” at then-U.S. Attorney “We have no second-class citiGeneral Michael Mukasey during zens,” Sanders wrote. a black-tie dinner in Washington, He also quoted the state conD.C. stitution, noting that “governSanders later released a state- ments . . . are established to proment saying he was speaking his tect and maintain individual conscience, and he cited inaderights.” quate access to the legal system Sanders, 65, was born in for detainees at Guantanamo Tacoma, grew up in Seattle and Bay and the importance of the attended the University of WashGeneva Conventions. ington.

In 2005, the state Judicial He earned his law degree Peninsula Daily News news sources

from the University of Washington School of Law in 1969 and worked 26 years as an attorney before he was elected in 1995 to the Washington Supreme Court.

Sanders considers it a privilege to officiate at weddings.

“Since coming to the court I’ve married dozens of women, but they always go home with somebody else — their groom,” he joked.

Wiggins, 63, the son of an Army warrant officer, attended schools in two states and Venezuela before attending college at Princeton University.

He then spent four years in the Army Military Intelligence Corps and later earned his law degree in 1976 from Duke Law School.

He worked as an attorney in the Seattle area and in 1995 was appointed to the Division II Court of Appeals, but he lost his position during the next election.

He serves on the Washington State Bar Rules Committee and the Disciplinary Board.

Sanders has called Wiggins’ criticism of his personal behavior “a campaign of character assassination.”

Richard B. Sanders

Charlie Wiggins

Wiggins notes that in cases where the Supreme Court is divided, Sanders votes in favor of the defendant 94 percent of the time.

“By protecting the rights of the accused to this extent, he’s really failing to protect the rights of the public,” Wiggins said.

Sanders takes issue with

­ iggins’ figures, noting that they W exclude unanimous cases and petitions for review.

That said, Sanders is unapologetic for “preserving and protecting our individual rights.”

“If I’m going to stick up for the rights of some criminal, you know I’m going to stick up for the rights of other people,” Sanders said.

About the job State Supreme Court justice Partisan or nonpartisan: Nonpartisan Primary election boundaries: Washington state Voters: 3,568,527 Term: Six years Compensation: Each of the nine justices on the Washington State Supreme court is paid the same: $164,221 annually.

Duties: The Washington State Supreme Court is the court of last resort in Washington. It is based in Olympia in

the Temple of Justice on the state capitol grounds. Nine justices serve on the court; they are elected in nonpartisan elections to serve six-year terms.

The court’s duties and responsibilities are defined in Article IV of the Washington State Constitution of 1889.

That constitution originally set the number of judges on the court at five, giving the Washington state Legislature the right to change the number of judges from time to time as it deemed advisable.

Some 8,500 cases are tried each year before the 143 judges of the Superior Courts of Washington state, the trial court of general jurisdiction. About 3,500 appeals are filed by losing parties claiming that the outcome was the result

of error, either of fact or law, sometimes both.

In 2007, the Washington Supreme Court had a total of 1,463 filings.

Among those, 98 were from trial courts, 1,120 were from the Court of Appeals, 134 were original actions.

To be considered a qualified candidate to serve on the state Supreme Court, a person must be licensed to practice law in Washington.

Justices must also retire from service at the end of the calendar year that he or she turns 75, according to the state constitution.

The state Legislature is given the leeway under the constitution to reduce the retirement age to 70 should it see fit to do so.

Additionally, justices of the court are

ineligible to serve in any other form of public employment during their term on the court, nor are they allowed to practice law in any Washington state court during their tenure on the Supreme Court.

The chief justice serves as the court’s chief spokesperson, presiding over the court’s public hearings and serving as the administrative head of the state’s trial and appellate court system.

Up until 1995, the chief justice was determined through a rotation system.

In 1995, the voters of the state passed a constitutional amendment changing this system to one in which the chief justice is elected by the other justices.

That same amendment changed the term of the chief justice from two to four years.

A public service of the Peninsula Daily News

Election Guide

For the election ending November 2, 2010

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G E N E R A L E L E C T I O N ’10

Parting words Why is political advertising so nasty?

By Jim Kuhnhenn

The Associated Press

Is anybody fit for office any more?

A Florida congressman casts his foe as a religious extremist, “Taliban Dan.” A challenger in West Virginia stresses a lawmaker’s ArabAmerican ancestry as shadowy and foreign.

Other candidates are nothing but liars, misers, cheaters, even traitors, judging by the 30-second TV attacks.

Deep-pocketed independent political groups are making the 2010 election homestretch the most scathing in years.

In the frantic final days before the voting, a blitz of negative ads is hitting the air in more than two dozen tight congressional races.

The ads warn that candidates who say they’re on your side actually care more about Arabs or illegal immigrants — take your pick — than about you.

And the other guy seeking your vote? Why, he’ll simply make stuff up to get it.

It gets so personal This is personal. But often anonymous.

In the past month, candidates, the political parties and outside groups have purchased millions of dollars in commercial time.

Of the resulting ads, 60 percent have assailed candidates for their stands on issues or for their character, according to the Campaign Media Analysis Group, which monitors such advertising.

Groups operating separately from the parties or the candidates are particularly focused on delivering tough messages.

Eighty-nine percent of their ads attack political opponents, according to CMAG. “Everyone has a reason to do

negative ads,” said Evan Tracey, the group’s president.

“Challengers do it to get competitive, incumbents do it when they’re worried about losing to challengers. And groups, if they’re running positive spots they’re wasting their money.”

And it’s getting tougher out there.

An ad airing in Washington state and paid for by a Democratic-leaning group links Republican Senate candidate Dino Rossi to financial scandals.

Another, in New Mexico portrays Rep. Harry Teague, a Democrat, as a disagreeable, moneypinching boss.

In Colorado, Republican Senate candidate Ken Buck, a prosecutor, is accused of being soft on an illegal gun dealer.

And so it goes.

Program notes Some ads are indirect. One in New Mexico almost requires program notes to follow the cast of characters.

GOP gubernatorial candidate Susana Martinez, a county district attorney, ran one ad targeting a teacher who appeared in an earlier National Education Association ad critical of her candidacy.

Turns out, Martinez’s office had prosecuted the teacher’s husband, now serving a 23-year sentence on a kidnapping charge.

Martinez put those facts into her own ad.

The NEA ad “looks different now, doesn’t it,” Martinez says into the camera.

In Louisiana, Democratic Rep. Charlie Melancon, eager to boost his flagging effort to unseat Republican Sen. David Vitter, aired a rare two-minute ad, filmed in the style of a docudrama, that recounts the discovery of Vitter’s phone number in the logs of a Washington, D.C.,

The Associated Press

A campaign advertisement from a race in western Florida uses the Gulf oil spill to attempt a point. escort service.

With a galvanized Republican electorate, a Democratic administration seeking to invigorate its base, incumbents concerned about survival and challengers energized to kick them out, there’s a reason it’s so disagreeable out there: Tough ads work.

They fire up partisans, provide more information than feelgood ads, and while they might turn off some independent voters they also help undecideds make up their minds.

“Folks like to complain about negativity,” said Erika Fowler, an assistant professor of government and director of Wesleyan University’s Media Project.

“That said, we do tend to see movement in places where there is negativity.”

Ma, where’s my Pa?” Supporters had the last laugh when he won: “Gone to the White House. Ha, ha, ha.”

These days, most negative ads go after candidates for past votes or statements on relevant issues.

But a broad range of contests are for open seats without incumbents, leading campaigns to look for foibles, missteps or worse to exploit.

Challengers and the party that is out of power are more likely to launch negative ads.

Democrats did that in 2006, and captured control of the House and Senate.

This year, Republicans hope to return the favor and are casting Democrats as big government spenders who have been unable to fix the economy.

But Democrats, facing a tough political environment, are fighting back.

It has history They portray Republicans as It’s a time-honored practice advocates of privatizing Social with a vicious history.

Security, they blame Republicans Allies of John Quincy Adams for sending jobs overseas and printed handbills accusing they have taken past statements Andrew Jackson of executing six by tea party candidates to pormilitiamen in 1813 without tray them as far out of the maincause. Jackson’s wife was accused stream. of being an adulteress.

“Here in the end game, voters Grover Cleveland was mocked are seeing a lot of advertising, as the father of a child out of they’re seeing a lot of free press, wedlock with the slogan, “Ma, and they get to compare the two

candidates and that’s good for us,” said Democratic strategist Jim Jordan, who is running his own negative ads against Republicans.

All this leads to a relentless tit for tat.

Consider the Senate race in Nevada.

It pits the Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, against Sharron Angle, a Republican former state legislator backed by the tea party.

Reid has been persistently casting Angle’s views as extreme.

Angle has fought back vigorously. She recently took to the air with an ad casting Reid as a supporter of “illegal aliens” with black and white images of young Latino-looking men lurking near fences or staring menacingly at the camera.

The narrator intones: “What does Harry Reid have against you?”

Ethnic subtext In another effort with an ethnic subtext, a group called the West Virginia Conservative Foundation is airing an ad that emphasizes Democratic Rep. Nick Rahall’s Arab-American ancestry and his support of President Barack Obama.

The ad plays a clip of Rahall, whose family is Lebanese, discussing his efforts to enlist fellow Arab-Americans to support Obama as a presidential candidate.

As the clip fades, the ad tells viewers to call Rahall and “tell him to stand with West Virginians.”

To be sure, ads aren’t meant to be fair.

Democrats use clips of Republicans calling for changes in Social Security but edit out caveats that say no change should affect current recipients.

Likewise, Republicans accuse Democrats of cutting Medicare but don’t mention that the cuts are over 10 years and represent a small fraction of Medicare spending.

“Context,” Tracey said, “is the job of the other guy.”

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For the election ending November 2, 2010

Election Guide

A public service of the Peninsula Daily News