Thurston County Commission hopefuls coming to a site near you

By Keri Brenner | The Olympian • Published September 24, 2008

OLYMPIA – The public has several opportunities to get to know more about candidates for two seats on the three-member Thurston County Commission, which faces some big tasks in the coming year - including managing a tight budget and staffing a new jail in Tumwater.

Although each seat represents a specific district, the two commissioners will be elected by voters countywide in the Nov. 4 general election. Commissioners serve four-year terms and receive a salary of $105,278 a year.

Democrat Sandra Romero and Republican Robin Edmondson are competing in District 2, which represents the eastern third of the county — including Lacey, Yelm and Rainier. The seat is being vacated by Democrat Diane Oberquell, who is retiring after 20 years.

In District 1, which covers the county's middle portion — including Olympia — Republican Judy Wilson is challenging incumbent Democrat Cathy Wolfe, who is seeking re-election to a third term. Wilson was a county commissioner from 1993 to 2000.

The winners will join the remaining board member, Democrat Bob Macleod, in January.

Those include:

* Managing a tight county budget — including potential layoffs of some of the 1,200 county employees.

* Building and staffing a new jail in Tumwater.

* Making land-use decisions and mitigating continued growth pressures.

* Providing continued health, social, road, law enforcement and criminal justice services despite declines in the amount of revenue collected.

Fundraising totals as of this week, according to the state Public Disclosure Commission, show Romero leading the pack with $52,252 in total contributions; followed by Wolfe, with $17,069; Wilson, with $15,492; and Edmondson, with $9,655.

Residents who want a detailed picture of each candidate can attend several forums or debates or watch a Thurston Community Television broadcast. The tapings at TCTV are this week and will be aired repeatedly the next few weeks.

Platform summaries

The candidates summarized their platforms thusly:

Robin Edmondson: With a rapidly declining economy and slowing of goods and services, I want to trim county government, compact and reduce regulations, flatten the budget and speed service delivery to county residents at affordable rates without increasing any fees or taxes. I will develop win-win community partnerships.

Sandra Romero: We have to have a sustainable county budget. I would establish a centralized budget team, freeze hiring and freeze budget spending. I would also consider the impacts of endless litigation. In addition, we have to be careful and vigilant about how we manage growth. That doesn't mean we can't grow, just that it must be balanced and must reflect the policies of the state Growth Management Act. Also, the county's Web site must be improved so that it is accessible to people.

Judy Wilson: I'm running because of the county's current budget situation, the shortfall. We had similar issues when I was a commissioner, and we dealt with them and built a reserve. My frustration now is that the reserve has been spent, and it's gone. In addition, I think the decision to subtract wetlands from the home building density calculations does not appear to have been made with full public input. It was adopted without having people see what the final plan would be.

Cathy Wolfe: If re-elected, I would provide strong and effective leadership on the budget to ensure public safety and provide vital services despite steadily declining revenues. I would focus on ways to address a growing population and a global economic crisis. Also, I would continue with good land-use decisions that protect rural and agricultural lands, sensitive areas and precious water resources as we deal with the continued growth pressures.