No decision on Brewer conflict

EPHRATA — The Grant County Public Utility District's attorney is no longer being asked to settle conflict-of-interest allegations leveled against one commission candidate.

Terry Brewer, seeking the commissioner District No. 1 position, says a win in next month's election doesn't mean he'll stop working as executive director of the Grant County Economic Development Council.

His opponent, Ron Baker, said Brewer can't hold both positions without creating a conflict.

The current PUD commission announced Monday it's neither appropriate nor in the best interests of the utility district to expend public funds to obtain a legal opinion to resolve the issue.

Commission President Randy Allred made a statement on behalf of the commission, addressing the issue during their weekly meeting.

"Conflict of interest questions have been raised regarding commission candidate Brewer," Allred said. "Opinions have been expressed by various individuals and this matter appears to have become a campaign issue."

Allred said Brewer, if elected, would be required to comply with applicable conflict-of-interest laws and the district's code of ethics.

Two weeks ago, the commission and PUD management asked their attorney, Ray Foianini, for an opinion on the conflict-of-interest issue. Foianini's opinion was expected last week, but was never produced.

Brewer claims no conflict exists, other than voting on the council's $15,000 per year contract with the PUD. That contract helps fund the organizations' operations. Brewer said he'll recuse himself from the vote.

To bolster his position, Brewer obtained a legal opinion from his Wenatchee-based lawyer, Lewis W. Card.

"As a result of my findings, I advise that you do not have a conflict of interest sufficient to prevent you from running in good faith for the position of PUD commissioner," Card wrote in an Oct. 19 letter to Brewer.