James 'Jim' Liebrecht details candidacy for Grant County commissioner

MOSES LAKE — James Liebrecht is keeping his campaign promises short, simple and to the point. If elected as Grant County commissioner, the former Moses Lake City councilmember promises to work hard, be honest and respect others at all times.

Liebrecht, a 50-year resident of Moses Lake and owner of Animal Crackers Clipper Kennel & Co. in Moses Lake with his wife Karen for 34 years, is running to fill the district No. 2 seat that will be empty when Carolann Swartz officially retires from the position at the end of this year. He is running against former Moses Lake Fire Chief Tom Taylor, former Port of Moses Lake Commissioner Brian McGowan and Moses Lake business owner Nathan Pack.

Liebrecht’s journey to make the decision to run for county commissioner stems from 11 years of service in various avenues of leadership. Having spent six years on the Moses Lake Planning Commission, four years on the Moses Lake council and two years on the Grant County Board of Health, he says his track record speaks for itself when it comes to working for the citizens, not other politicians.

“I work with other politicians, not for them. I believe in doing the right thing. I don’t harass. I don’t manipulate anybody. I don’t go behind anyone’s back. I have never done that and my record shows that and those are the same qualities that I believe qualify me for being county commissioner in District 2,” he said.

One of the biggest areas Liebrecht wants to work on if elected is repairing the relationship between city governments, especially Moses Lake, and county government. Having experienced the at times adversarial relationship between Moses Lake and Grant County during his tenure on the city council, Liebrecht says there is a need to bridge the gap between the two entities. He believes he is the candidate who can bring about positive and constructive dialogue.

“During my 11 years there was always strife between county government and city government. I didn’t like it then and I thought if I was ever given a chance to make a difference in that situation I would run and I felt that this was the time,” he stated. “I know everyone in my district. The politicians know who I am and know where I stand and where the lines are drawn. I am not a threat to them.”

When it comes to businesses, jobs and growth throughout the county, Liebrecht’s philosophy is simple; invest in them and they will invest in you. He says one of the big things that can be done by the commissioners is give prospective businesses reasons to relocate. One example is rezoning properties to fit specific needs, which doesn’t cost anything from the county’s perspective, but can be a gateway to large economic gains. He says if residents want to see large businesses come into the county and bring jobs into the area, there needs to be a discussion around tax breaks and enticements to bring them in.

“If I need to invest in you in order to entice you to come, I’ll put a road out to your business. I may spend a few hundred thousand dollars, a half a million dollars. But I get a $3-4 million return long-term, that’s what I want. Long-term is security. Short-term is not,” he explained. “That’s how you invest. You invest in your people. Once you do this the citizens and farmers will invest.”

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.