WHO'S TO BE NEXT COUNTY COMMR.?

Jerry Lingle's replacement to be named 10/4/11

9/19/11 COUNTY COMMISSIONER CANDIDATE INTERVIEWS IN REVIEW

Submitted to Shelton Blog by Tom Davis Mason County Progressive

It has been an interesting week of meetings, and it will take two posts to do it justice, so let’s get to it:

Monday 12:00 PM: Candidate interviews:

A three member panel appointed by the two County Commissioners held initial interviews of 16 hopefuls applying for the position of Mason County Commissioner, District 3, vacated by the sudden passing of Jerry Lingle.

Members of the panel included retired MC Judge, Jim Sawyer; MC PUD 3 Commissioner, Linda Gott, and MC Fire District #4 Commissioner, Brett Bishop. Each candidate was asked the same four questions, though only the two most relevant of those are recorded here.

1. What assets do you bring to the position?

2. What are the most important issues facing Mason County?

Now, I know I should divide the page up into neat columns, with headings and subcategories to give the reader a concise and accurate word picture of events, but I don’t know how to do that, so let’s just roll with a brief narrative for each candidate.

Brian Avery: comes off as an educated man with deep convictions and community spirit. He cites years of volunteer service and a life-long ambition to serve his community in a capacity that will make a real difference. Water quality, mental health issues, economic growth and public safety are his priorities. My Personal Read (MPR): Brian means well but appears under pressure.

Curtis Bennett: says he brings intelligence, compassion and experience to the position, and is most concerned about transportation/highway needs, and budget and mental health issues. Curtis is of the mind that business and the environment can co-exist and thrive. MPR: Well connected, well liked, and well respected; unsure of his qualifications; a bit too late to the party -- at least this one.

Steve Bloomfield: says his best qualities are leadership and common sense, and cites a laundry list of community service to prove it. His priorities are no new taxes, clean water, jobs, and a continuation of our natural resource driven economy. Steve says that Mason County has been good to him and his family and it is time to give something back. MPR: Steve is an advocate’s advocate for the shellfish industry; lacks the objectivity to perform his political duties in an equitable manner.

Randy Churchill: tells us he has lived in MC for 59 years, and cites good communication skills, leadership and the ability to bring people together as his best assets. Randy also wants us to know he has a life-long commitment to community service. Priorities: More judicial manpower (jobs), better infrastructure to attract more businesses. MPR: Great salesman but likely to bring more sizzle than steak to the position.

Terra Dittmer: cites good communication, problem solving and organizational skills as her most notable assets; says she’s a real “people person”, which will also help bring the community together. Terra believes the Belfair wastewater issue, jobs and poor morale are our most pressing problems. MPR: A high energy gal, but maybe not in the best sense; more nervous than driven.

Clinton Ferrara: says his biggest asset is a connection with the community and the ability to listen to the public. Clinton says what he doesn’t know about the job, he can learn from people who do. Biggest problems: the budget, backward thinking, the environment and lack of representation. MPR: Nice, “whole earth” kind of guy; not qualified.

Ross Gallagher: thinks his best assets are experience, good negotiating skills, a tendency toward open government, accessibility and a commitment to community. His top priorities are clean water issues, the budget and completing the Belfair wastewater project. MPR: Well, shut my mouth -- Ross came across as articulate, knowledgeable about the issues and with both feet firmly planted on the ground.

Joyce Lingle: says she brings a high level of community involvement to the table, with special emphasis on domestic violence issues, as a result of her service as a reserve police officer. Top priorities are to re-establish communication between government officials and the citizenry, the budget, building a strong community and funding advanced age related services. MPR: Joyce is earthy, sincere and outspoken; a welcome breath of fresh air in an overly stuffy chamber. Problem is Joyce’s downside is the same as her upside, and she may be a bit too unpolished for the position.

Terri Jeffreys: cites knowledge of local government, finance, land use policies and state funding as her chief assets. She also thinks any response to funding mental health issues by raising the sales tax 1/10 of 1% should be a “measured” effort, and that the budget deficit and completion of the Belfair wastewater system are top priorities. MPR: No thanks, we already have her male counterpart on the board.

Annette McGee: brings experience, loyalty, honesty and a deep love for Mason County to the task at hand. She says she’ll just about do the job for free. Her primary issues are essential services, the budget, and transparency in government. MPR: Twenty years ago I would have felt privileged to carry Annette’s lunch to work every day. I can say more without being rightfully accused of being politically incorrect.

John Price: Failed to show up for the interview. MPR: So far, I like him best.

Thomas Randall: is a man of few words, who says working with people and being an “independent” are his strongest assets. Tom is deeply involved in his family and 4H. His top priorities are: the pot issue (he did not elaborate), public works, jobs and new business. MPR: Way out of his league; strong silent type only works in the movies.

James Sims: had a boating accident just prior to the interview date, so the interview was done via speakerphone. Assets: objectivity, experience, confidence. Priority issues: Budget (competing demands for limited resources) and public safety. MPR: Smart, articulate “company” man, but confuses objectivity with opinion and arrogance with confidence.

Mike Rutter: feels leadership, compassion and a can-do personality are the qualities he brings to the position. Mike is an active motorcycle rider/club member, as well belonging to both the Elks and Moose clubs. Priorities: Water quality and shellfish. MPR: More of a follower than a leader; way in over his head.

Marlene Taylor: cites her best assets as experience and working across municipal lines. Priorities: Belfair sewer system, water quality, mental health issues, public safety and animal control. MPR: Clearly cares deeply for her community, but sense her skills may be more suitable for the way things used to be.

Please know that the above oh-so-brief snapshot of the candidates is in no way meant to be an accurate measure of their level of experience, qualifications or moral character.

Also know that the author’s pithy asides were offered only to keep the reader from dying of boredom. In my opinion, none of the candidates have what it takes to set our county off in a more constructive economic, environmental or socially responsible course.

Be that as it may, that decision does not rest with the public: On Oct. 4th Commissioners Lynda Ring-Erickson and Tim Sheldon will chose a new Commissioner to represent Mason County, District #3.

And on that sad note, I bid you all adieu.

Photo by John Cox