Williamson announces bid for PUD commission

Spending top issue for George irrigator

Larry Williamson, who has been a frequent critic of PUD spending decisions, especially in the fiber system, is challenging Commission President Tom Flint for his position A seat.

"My concern has been about the spending in the PUD," Williamson said, adding, "The commission needs to be more responsible to the public."

A political novice, Williamson has served on the boards of the Columbia Basin Groundwater Association and the Grant County Farm Bureau. He is also a charter board member of Ag Power Users of Grant County.

He graduated from Wilson Creek High School and attended Columbia Basin Community College.

Williamson has lived in Grant County for 53 of his 61 years, and he's lived in the rural Quincy-George area for 39 years. He has been an irrigator for almost all of his life.

"I believe this is a strong agricultural community. When we had low electrical rates, it was one of the prime factors of being competitive in the market," Williamson said.

Williamson pointed to the relicensing of the Priest Rapids Hydroelectric Project as the most issue facing the PUD.

If elected, he said he hopes to make sure the PUD's auditor, attorney and treasurer report straight to the commission instead of the manager — which is what district statute requires.

Position A includes the northern part of the county extending through Soap Lake, Ephrata, Quincy and George and circling south to Warden. It is a four-year term.

The George irrigator has made numerous appearances at commission meetings over the past two years. He has been one of the critics of PUD spending on its fiber-optics program and of the district's purchase of its diesel generators.

Williamson said he does not oppose fiber itself and even supports its further buildout.

"You've got too much invested to toss it overboard," Williamson said.

However, he added that the PUD must develop a workable plan for the system. Also, the commission and staff must recognize other telecommunications possibilities, such as DSL lines or even remote control via cell phones.

"We've got to come up with some kind of plan to make it (fiber) economically viable," Williamson said, adding, "It needs to be able to stand on its feet."