Carter seeks re-election as commissioner

EPHRATA - Grant County Commissioner Cindy Carter said she wants to continue helping constituents and keeping government spending low as she announced a bid for her third term as commissioner.

Above all, the district 3 commissioner enjoys interacting with constituents and helping solve their problems.

"I really enjoy the little victories that come with the job like helping people with land issues or permits and solving problems that people in the county have," she said. "It might not be exactly what they wanted but we can usually come up with a solution."

She said that she is happy to have achieved some of the goals she set out when she first ran for commissioner in 2006.

"I have a business background and I wanted to make sure that Grant County was in strong financial shape."

The county had about $10 million in reserve accounts at the end of 2013, more than enough to meet the state minimum of three months' operating expenses.

Grant County still has challenges, including possibly replacing the juvenile detention center that was significantly damaged by a water line break earlier this year and building a facility or finding room for a third district court judge.

"It is always a challenge but I love the people in Grant County and I love living here," she said. She tries to focus on outstanding customer service at the courthouse with interactions with residents, she added.

Commissioners must also oversee the county roads system and they are working with the sheriff's office to install cameras in the county to monitor illegal activity, she said.

Along with her husband, Rick, Carter operates a large fruit orchard in the Royal City area.

She has three children and two grandchildren.