Political candidates gather for forum

MOSES LAKE - Several political candidates gathered for a political forum in Moses Lake this week.

The Columbia Basin Technical Skills Center in Moses Lake was packed, as the chairs were filled by residents throughout the Columbia Basin listening to candidates present their views.

The event started at 5:30 p.m., with a half an hour meet and greet with the candidates.

Whether it was talking Fourth District issues with candidate Dan Newhouse over a shrimp cocktail, or chatting with prosecutor candidate Garth Dano about crime stats with an ice cold soda in hand, voters visited with candidates on a more personal level.

At 6 p.m. the candidates made their way to the stage, as the forum began.

Moderator Bill Ecret told the candidates, and those in attendance, the forum was going to be divided into three parts.

In the first part, every candidate had the opportunity to introduce themselves and speak on any subject they desired for three minutes.

From Bob Bernd to Noah Zemke, candidates introduced themselves and used the time to present their viewpoints on the issues that were important to them.

In the second part of the forum, every candidate was asked specific questions prepared by the forum sponsors. Every candidate was allowed two minutes to answer the questions.

Fourth Congressional District race

When asked about what to do about the budget shortfall, candidate Dan Newhouse said the U.S. currently has an $18 trillion deficit and that in order to pay for the deficit every American would have to write a $55,000 check. Newhouse believes the U.S. needs to find ways to increase the tax revenue that is coming into the country, and stated he knows it can be done. Newhouse's opponent Clint Didier was absent.

State senator race

Candidates Judy Warnick and Mohammad Said were asked why they would best represent the 13th District. Said stated that he was not a politician, rather he was a doctor with more than 40 years of experience. Said promised to bring "some flavor to the legislature."

Warnick countered Said's statement regarding being a politician, stating that she was indeed a politician, but not only a politician. Other things came first like being a mother and a wife. Warnick believes that her experience in dealing with different political parties as a state representative will greatly help her.

State representative position no. 1

Candidates Tom Dent and Dani Bolyard were asked what investments can be made to create more, better paying jobs in the state.

Dent said the state needs to focus on transportation, tax preferences, our ferry systems and airports/airplanes in connection to job creation.

Bolyard spoke of the need to go back to the Constitution and give businesses the freedom to expand in the state and reduce business regulations.

Grant County commissioner District 3

Candidates Cindy Carter (incumbent) and Randy Zolman were asked if the county is best represented with three county commissioners.

Carter said despite Grant County being so geographically large, three commissioners is a good number and three commissioners can accurately represent and handle issues in each district the commissioner represents.

Zolman was seemingly in agreement with Carter's stance on three commissioners best representing the county, but did state that if the number was increased to five it would make handling all the issues in the county "easier."

Grant County

prosecutor

Candidate Garth Dano was asked what he would do to improve the prosecutor's office within the parameters of the current budget.

Dano said he would "look at all the personnel in the office," and possibly eliminate one or two prosecutor positions within the office and save taxpayers a lot of money.

Dano also highlighted his plans to reduce prosecution time, explaining he would aim to prosecute inmates within two months, rather than nine months, cutting the tax dollars used to house inmates.

Incumbent Angus Lee was not in attendance.

Grant County assessor race

Candidates Laure Grammar (incumbent) and Melissa McKnight were asked what their goals would be if elected.

Grammar said she would continue to work with big businesses that come to Grant County, and that when Grant County was struggling, it was big businesses that helped the county recover.

Grammar aims toward continuing that trend if elected. While McKnight, if elected, promised to change the attitude and customer service people receive in the assessor's office. McKnight also wants to deal with inequities in agriculture. She said she wants to work with farmers on the issues that are important to them.

Grant County auditor race

Candidates Michele Jaderlund and Jacob Taylor were asked what were the most important issues they would address if elected.

Taylor said he would aim toward getting a better voter turnout during elections, educating the youth about elections, working with expediency to get people their vehicle tabs faster and possibly add a kiosk to help people receive their tabs faster.

Jaderlund would aim toward making financial information available on the county website, and inform the public about what different departments around the county are asking for in their budgets, prior to the auditor making a decision on the matter.

Grant County treasurer race

Candidates Darryl Pheasant (incumbent) and Casey Cooper were asked to describe their management styles.

Pheasant described his management style by detailing his office. He said his staff is "top notch" and understands their goals and roles in achieving them.

Cooper described his management style as "one of empowering others," and he likes to delegate authority, so visitors can get questions answered from more than one person.

Grant County PUD District 3 race

Candidate Larry Schaapman was asked if the district was looking into a "lean" process to reduce inventories, waste and over-spending. Schaapman said the PUD has a great staff that is "looking at jobs," and seeking ways to continue to reduce the work force they have, by contracting jobs.

Candidate Richard Hogg was not in attendance.

Grant PUD District B race

Candidates Bob Bernd and Noah Zemke were asked if Grant County could continue offering one of the lowest power rates in the county and how much capacity is available.

Zemke said the county is at about 2,000 megawatts and the capacity comes from the two main dams in the area. As capacity continues to go up, larger businesses in the county, that use more power, should hold a more responsible position for their use.

Bernd said "we will continue to be one of the lowest power rates in the country," and the PUD in the past has passed resolutions to ensure there is adequate power for residential and smaller industries. Bernd also highlighted because of this there are economic incentives available for future generations.

Bernd and Zemke's questions ended the question and answer portion of the night.