Ideal canvassing spot

Brad W. Gary/Columbia Basin HeraldPeople stroll by the two political party booths just past the entrance to the Grant County Fairgrounds. Side by side, the booths and the candidates who occupy them have been a longtime fixture at the fair.

by Brad W. Gary<br>Herald Staff Writer
| August 19, 2006 9:00 PM

Political candidates eye week to talk with voters

MOSES LAKE — With balloons and stickers and pamphlets and buttons, the two political parties have the perfect spot to welcome people to the Grant County Fair.

Situated side by side the Republican and Democrat booths are an ideal place for people to have discussions and get information, right after entering through the fairground's red gate.

"I've always felt that this is a way to meet people, see people," said Lucinda West, secretary of the Grant County Republican party.

"We've had a lot of people coming in," said Grant County Democrat Jennifer McCarthy said. "We've been able to have some good conversations."

It's all about encouraging people to vote, West said, and get their message out. West feels like the people get a better idea of candidates by talking to them face to face.

"This is a way they can talk about issues, they can meet the candidates," West said. "It's easier, it's more readily available here than at non-fair time."

The candidates themselves often are found handing out literature, and offering their thoughts on what they feel should be done following this November's election. The side-by-side booths are a long standing tradition at the fair.

Inside the buildings, tables are filled with literature and walls lined with candidate yard signs. Most people, McCarthy said, want to know who's running their party this fall.

"It's people who seek us out that are, in general, interested in our views and our party," she said.

It's interesting to notice when you enter the Grant County Fairgrounds, the booth on the right is on the left, and the one on the left is on the right. Both West and McCarthy point out, however, those views are corrected when people leave the fairgrounds.

While the parties, and some candidates, are having discussions near the fair's entrance, candidates for both Grant County and Grant County Public Utility District offices keep the fairgrounds commercial building buzzing. Intermixed between merchants selling everything from phone service to cosmetics, five of the seven candidates for two PUD commission positions have camped out for the week.

The fair provides a great venue to provide voters information, as each of the PUD commission candidates would later say. They each noted they've had discussions with voters about everything from power rates to dam relicensing, but said their stance on fiber has been the issue dominating many conversations.

"I like this, I really do, because you get all the people from all over the county," PUD Commissioner Bill Bjork sad.

The fairgrounds itself is in Moses Lake, but Bjork noted he has gotten to talk to people from much farther away.

"It's a great place to meet a lot of people," said PUD candidate Terry Brewer, who said the fair was great for face to face dialogue.

Brewer said he thought the event was well-attended in the afternoons, but expected it to pick up even more in the evening hours.

PUD Commission candidate David Stevens noted the early fair days have been quiet for political debates, but said Friday and Saturday will be the best. The place gives him a chance to meet the people in his district one on one, and discuss facts and issues about the PUD.

"It's better one on one," Stevens noted. "They're more candid."

Fellow PUD Commission candidate Dale Walker said the fair offers a great mix of people from all walks of life who are interested in the different issues.

"I'm extremely pleased with the response I've been getting here," Walker said. "It's good when you talk to people and they understand where you're coming from."

PUD commission candidate Bob Bernd added signs and said ads work fine for name recognition, but the fair is the place where people can have conversations and get the information they need.

"I've had several good conversations with both people who agreed with me and disagreed with me," Bernd said. "I don't think there's anything better than actually being able to see a voter and talk to a voter."

Saturday is the last day to register to vote for the upcoming election, which can be done at the fair.