Ron Baker hopes to bring experience to GC

by Sebastian Moraga<br>Herald Staff Writer
| July 27, 2004 9:00 PM

Longtime city resident to face off against LeRoy Allison in commissioner's election

Emphasizing what he sees as a need for change in the Grant County Board of Commissioners, Moses Lake resident W. Ron Baker has announced his intention to run for Position 2 of the board, against incumbent LeRoy Allison.

Baker, recently having closed the book on a 30-year career in engineering, said he is ready to bring his expertise on a myriad of areas to the residents of the county.

"I am aware of most issues, and I have worked with most of the communities of the county," he said, adding that his background could provide valuable insight.

"I am accustomed to solving problems," he said. "Grant County has some issues that need to be resolved."

Among those issues, he said, there is a perceived lack of communication between elected officials and the board of commissioners, as well as the need for further growth in the county.

The recipe for growth, Baker said, is the creation of a political environment that sustains this growth, hence leading the county into a time of prosperity.

Certain things need to happen first, though, Baker said.

"It is time for a change," he said. "Being a commissioner should not be a career."

Baker's career, besides his involvement with Boundary Engineering, his business, has included participating in the Grant County Economic Development Council, the Grant County Industrial Council, the Big Bend Economic Development Council, and the Columbia Basin Development League. He has been active in the Grant County Water Conservancy Board, as well as the county's Republican Party.

"This experience," he said, "allows me to address the issues of Grant County."

Baker said the county has to comply with the state-mandated Growth Management Act, a task which he said has taken the county too long to do.

"Many commercial properties are not able to get building permits," he said, this resulting in many businesses not being able to develop and become players in the county's economic landscape.

He expressed his concern over the recent articles revealing a vote of no-confidence from some county officials towards the board of commissioners.

"This indicates a serious problem that needs to be addressed," Baker said, adding that the commission has not been able to solve effectively the problems affecting Grant County.

Baker said that his first step in addressing topics such as the budget and the public defenders' contracts would be to improve the communication lines with elected officials in the county.

This plan, Baker said, would smooth out the adoption of future policies, as well as the management of the county's budget, currently in the red.

He added that a fresh approach by new commissioners might make a difference, as well.

The Colville-born Baker said that his county, budget troubles notwithstanding, is on the verge of developing an opportunity to have a broad economic base.

"Our core base is agricultural, we need to develop industrial uses," he said, rattling off the county's virtues and strengths, such as low cost power, natural gas and available land.

"We have strong economic development policies through our port districts," he said. "The county should support their efforts in any way they can."

Supporting him, he said, are many people, but most particularly his wife Pamela, whom he credits for her unwavering trust in all of his endeavors.

Baker said that what is holding the county back is the permitting process. Another weakness, he said, is what he sees as outside businesses and industries not being aware of what the county has to offer.

With the election looming large, Baker is optimistic about his chances, feeling like he is not just running for a public spot, but giving his county a chance to change.

"I love Grant County," he said. "I am proud to see the community grow, and I would like it to see grow more."