Republicans and Democrats meet to discuss issues, ask for support

It was a day for old-fashioned politics at the Grant County Historical Museum.

Candidates for district and statewide offices from all over the Columbia Basin, as well as both sides of the political spectrum met at the museum in front of approximately 40 spectators for this year's edition of the Old Fashioned Political Rally, organized by the county's historical society.

One by one, hopefuls stood up to the podium and battled the wind and the dropping temperatures to express their views and to ask voters for their support during the Sept. 14 primaries as well as the general elections of Nov. 2.

State Rep. Janea Holmquist, R-Moses Lake, running for re-election as representative for the 13th Legislative District told the bipartisan audience that it could count on her to oppose new taxes and unfunded mandates.

For the first time, Holmquist's Democratic opponent, Dale Hubbard of Ellensburg, shared the stage with her at a candidate forum.

Hubbard said that people deserved to know who was representing them, and that it was time to end the story of "good old boys protecting other good old boys."

Participating in his first run for office, Hubbard said he had no interest in becoming a politician, instead wanting to become a good legislator.

Judge Evan Sperline, running for re-election for his nonpartisan spot on the Grant County Superior Court said that after 21 years on the bench, experience counts the most when choosing a judge.

Sperline referred to his opponent, deputy prosecuting attorney Teddy Chow's slogan, which tells voters it is time for a change.

"You shouldn't swallow that line," Sperline told the audience. "Lack of experience matters, too, and he has never been responsible for a single case in Superior Court."

Chow retorted that the county was melting down in a hurry, with public defender contracts going nowhere, and that the meltdown had a lot to do with Sperline, who is presiding judge at the court.

Regarding his lack of experience as a judge, Chow said that experience matters "only if you learn," pointing out reprimands received by Sperline.

After the judicial candidates sparred, it was time for those seeking to be elected to the Grant County Commissioners Office, whose appearances intertwined with candidates for the county's Public Utility District.

Richard Stevens, hoping to unseat incumbent Tim Snead, called himself "an engaging individual," with experience and ability after years at the Columbia Basin Irrigation District. Stevens placed special emphasis on having lived his entire life in Grant County.

Snead said he felt like he was doing a good job for the citizens of Grant County. He pledged to continue a conservative fiscal policy and not to be influenced by special interest groups. Grant County is in good shape, he said, but facing some challenges.

"We must continue trying to keep our tax money in the county," he said.

PUD candidate Larry Williamson, hoping to defeat incumbent Tom Flint, said that he wanted to bring the district back to being a cost-effective energy producer, restoring the trust and the accountability between the entity and the public.

Flint said the last years of the PUD had been like a "power tornado," where the county had gone through the worst drought on record, the Enron crisis, problems with the Bonneville Power Administration, as well as trying to complete the relicensing process.

"Relicensing is hugely complex, but we are in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl," he said. "Changing quarterbacks now would be detrimental."

Two more candidates hoping to replace Flint attacked him.

Katherine Hanford-Wiley said that she had a dream of a future with lower power rates, generations of agriculture and farming in the county, and "without any power tornadoes or perfect storms."

David Stevens said that what Flint had said had been "a fiasco" for the last few years, and that he would like to solve that.

"I can do a good job," he said.

Ron Baker, hoping to beat incumbent Grant County Commissioner LeRoy Allison said the problems faced by the county were due mostly to a failure in communication with the elected officials and that he was the man needed to open up the lines of communication.

Allison said that thanks to the current commissioners, there had been improvements in the infrastructure and operations of public works, as well as a continued frugal policy on spending.

"It takes experience to do that," Allison said.

After the rally was over, people in the audience praised the event as a great example of democracy.

"It's good that we came," Dennis Parr said. "It's a good chance to get to know the candidates and their positions on issues."

Tom Dent, chairman of the county's Republican Party agreed with Parr.

"To hear from candidates on a down-to-earth level is awesome," he said. "I admire all people who stand up to run for office."

Short speeches nonetheless, those listening to the candidates felt that the rally had been thorough, without many issues left out.

"The only thing left out," state Sen. Joyce Mulliken, R-Ephrata, said, "is the people that did not come."((2$OhmSC5e*