Carolann Swartz runs for second term on GC board

MOSES LAKE - Carolann Swartz views herself as a facilitator.

That's one of the main reasons she said she's decided to run for a second term for Grant County commissioner for the second district.

Swartz, a Republican who lives in Moses Lake, was elected in 2008.

She said she gets passionate about issues, such as land use, the county budget, and private property rights, and is willing to work with anybody to facilitate an equitable solution.

"I really like to listen to people and try to get consensus and understanding," she said. "I'm not dictatorial. I try to keep everything in perspective."

Swartz is running against Moses Lake business owner James Liebrecht to keep her position. His profile runs in Wednesday's edition of the Columbia Basin Herald.

Of the major issues facing the county over the next four years, Swartz labeled the county's budget and the area's economic growth as key.

Budget-wise, she said that doing the best job possible in the most simplistic way possible is going to be crucial.

She cited the importance of "smaller, more efficient government." Swartz opposes raising taxes and more cuts may be necessary.

"If we find that there are three people doing a job that only takes two, we should look into eliminating that third position," she said. "That said, I'm very impressed with our workforce at the county. We've got some of the most dedicated, talented people here."

As far as economic growth is concerned, Swartz, a member of the Economic Development Council, said advertising and making the region attractive to businesses is important.

"We're always looking for more diverse development in the area," she said. "And at the same time, not turn our back on the agricultural area ... it's all connected. It's like a giant web."

She's fearful that the area exports a very important commodity: "Our children."

"We need the jobs here so we can keep our kids and our talent right here in this area," she said.

Swartz said she finds the possibilities lying ahead for the area exciting, and she loves to open peoples' eyes to the business possibilities in the basin.

While she enjoys making as much progress as possible for the county, she does plan to step down at some point.

"I'm not a career politician," she said. "I intend to do this only for a couple of terms ... but I feel like as long as I have the energy and the willingness, I'll throw myself into this 110 percent. And that's pretty much what I've done."

Swartz sits on several boards in the area, including Soroptomists and Women's Philanthropic Educational Association, and has a different perspective on term limits.

"We have people who have been on a board for 25-30 years. Those are wonderfully valuable people," he said. "But on the other hand, what happens, we get very comfortable or we get in our zone. I like to think that there are people out there who are younger and energetic with great ideas."

She knows who her bosses are: the people.

One odd dynamic she sees at the county is the working relationship between county staff and elected officials. While those elected to office are usually viewed as the boss, their jobs are essentially temporary while the staff's jobs are more permanent.

With that view in mind, she said she's very aware of the importance of listening to staff, elected officials and the public alike.

Of her accomplishments in her first term, she said she's very proud of the inroads she's made with local municipalities, most notably Moses Lake.

"I've already come a long way in making better relationships with the city of Moses Lake, and I'd like to continue that," she said. "If we don't work together then we're working against one another, and that doesn't solve anything."

In fact, she would like her legacy on the board to be better relations with cities and towns and a better, more workable atmosphere.

"If I get remembered as somebody who helped make progress here as opposed to someone who caused problems, then I'd be happy," she said. "I didn't go into this job thinking that I knew all the answers, but I certainly know a lot more now than when I started. But I find it fun and challenging, and I like that challenge."

Swartz and her husband own an electrical contracting business in Moses Lake. She ran a retail store in Moses Lake for 12 years. She said her business acumen is a good fit on the current board as other commissioners come from an agricultural background.

In her spare time she said she likes to see her four children and six grandchildren, paint, photograph and read.