Reader supports Kernan for MLIRD board

by Larry Godden
| December 7, 2012 5:00 AM

GUEST EDITORIAL

I support Ken Kernan, candidate for Commissioner, MLIRD.

I am a ratepayer of the MLIRD. I have seen the water quality of the lake improve since 2007, when the new management team was assembled. However, in the last year, the recent actions by the Board of Commissioners have given me great cause for concern.

Curtailment of the dredging program when they have a permit in place that they are in danger of losing if it is not fully exercised. No other types of permits are currently available and may never be.
Needless expenditure for the purchase of additional property, as well as a subsequent building, for the purpose of constructing a new administrative office when the MLIRD has sufficient property they already own.
Purchase of a mobile home, approximately 6 months ago (which has yet to arrive in Moses Lake), for the purpose of being placed at Conley Park / Airman's Beach as a residence for a full time park manager / host at a monthly salary of approximately $1,200. Compare this to Blue Heron Park, now managed by the city, that pays no monthly salary, rather it is treated as a rental by a resident who notifies authorities of any suspicious activity.
Constant bickering over issues that are driven by personal agendas rather than what is good for the Lake and our community.

At a candidates forum, last Wednesday (11/28), when each candidate was asked this question; "Over the past two years, how many monthly MLIRD regular meetings have you attended?" The two candidates answered as follows:

Ken Kernan: "80%" (That would be about 19 meetings out of 24.)

For the largest percentage of his working career, Ken served with the Grant County Sheriff's Department, rising to the level of Undersheriff. While there, he oversaw a $7 million annual budget and knows how to work effectively with local, state and federal agencies which is exactly the type of experience that the MLIRD desperately needs. Not only does he have that background, he is retired and spends the majority of his free time bass fishing on Moses Lake, as he has for the last 49 years. If elected, his retirement status would also enable him to focus much more time than anyone else on the duties of an MLIRD Commissioner. Ken is an independent thinker and wants only the best for the water quality, for fishing and other recreational purposes, that Moses Lake can be if managed correctly.

David Skaug: "About 4 or 5 meetings." (That would be about 16% to 20%.)

Owner of a local business, unrelated to any governmental activities as compared to Ken, Mr. Skaug has devoted very little time and attention to the status and quality of the waters, and fishery of Moses Lake. As nice of a gentleman as Mr. Skaug is, he is far less experienced than Mr. Kernan in this arena.

Please vote for the health of Moses Lake, the benefit of our community, your children and grandchildren....vote for Ken Kernan, commissioner, MLIRD!