district-3 – All Things Lake Chelan

by Richard Uhlhorn

August primary ballots will be in the mail on July 15. There are two major issues on the District 3 ballot including Chelan County Fire District 5 Replacement Levy and a choice of four candidates to fill the Chelan County Commission seat being vacated by Tiffany Gearing.

The four candidates vying for her seat on the commission include Senator Brad Hawkins; Representative Keith Goehner’s staff assistant, Brandt Cappell; Manson Fire Commissioner Chris Willoughby and Wenatchee developer Flint Hartwig.

Following is a brief description of each candidate and what they feel is the most important priority facing Chelan Count over the next four years.

Brad Hawkins:
“My primary focus, if elected, will be to help diversify the County’s economy,” said Hawkins. He also wants to maintain a balanced budget and mitigate the growing property tax issues. “If we continue to grow and get Malaga (Microsoft development) onto the tax rolls, that should help to moderate some property taxes.”

Hawkins has a long and successful public service record and is currently a Washington State Senator. He is vacating that position to be closer to family. The recent redistricting would have had him constantly on the road.

“My knowledge and relationships (at the state level) will help bring resources to the County,” More information about Hawkins is available at www.bradhawkins.org. He can also be reached at 509.393.3231.

Brandt Cappell:
Cappell, who is currently Representative Keith Goehner’s Legislative Assistant stated that he has been focusing on issues in the Chelan/Manson area. Over the past several months he has attended many Chelan and Manson meetings to learn what issues are foremost”. “I’m trying to get the lay of the land,” he said.

Cappell, if elected plans on opening an office in Chelan to be close to District 3 constituents and the Valley’s emerging issues. He is interested in getting in front of what is happening in the local agriculture industry.

More information is available at www.cappell4commissioner.com. He can also be reached at 509.795.0272.

Chris Willoughby:
Willoughby’s primary focus, if elected, will be the County’s infrastructure. “Our infrastructure is at the center of everything that goes on,” said Willoughby who added that Entiat’s sewer systems is at capacity and will have to stop development. “Leavenworth and Plain also have infrastructure issues as does Manson.”

Willoughby has been involved in Manson and the County’s politics since 1999 when he first served on the Manson Community Council until 2011. He is also the vice-chairman of Fire District 5s board of commissioners where he has served as a firefighter and EMT since 1988 and 2003 respectively.

He claims that he is not a “politician” and does not believe in them. “I am a long time public servant who represents the communities I serve.” He is also the only candidate who lives in the heart of the 3^rd District.

More information is available at https://www.cwilloughby4ccc3.us/

Flint Hartwig
Hartwig is the only candidate running for the 3^rd District position who has no experience in politics. He is a Wenatchee businessman and developer who wants to streamline the County bureaucracy.

His voters pamphlet promise is to make sure the County is only spending money on the essential roles of government.

“I’m good at getting things done,” said Hartwig. His primary focus if elected would be agriculture, tourism and affordable housing. “I want to fight for you,” he added.

More information is available at https://Hartwig for Chelan | Chelan County Commissioner Candidate or at 509.264.8204.

The District 3 Commission seat is an important position for those who live in the Chelan and Manson area. It is incumbent on voters to educate themselves on each candidate running for the position and vote for the one candidate voters will best represent them.

Manson Fire Department Levy request:
Manson Fire District No. 5 will be asking eligible Manson voters to pass a new replacement levy to replace the retiring 10-year levy that currently collects $0.89/1000. The district is asking the voters to pass a $0.75/$1000 which is less than the current rate.

**The smoke plume of the Pioneer Fire 25 miles up lake from Manson.**

Manson Fire District is a successful volunteer department with 40 volunteers, 25 of which are active in both fire fighting and Emergency Services. With only three paid staff, the district is hoping to expand its personnel, offer full-time training for personnel to gain full certifications to meet the needs of the growing Manson Community.

The district is in the process of building a training facility which would be used by all firefighting agencies for training purposes. Fire Chief Arnold Baker reported at a community meeting that other district’s and the Forest Service have contacted him about training and trainee housing at the facility.

The district would also use some of their budget along with grants to replace a 30 year old fire truck along with other equipment needs.

Operational expenses are used for fuel, overall maintenance needs and a hedge against current inflation increases.

Responding to over 100 fire-related calls and 500 Emergency Management calls per year underscores the increasing demand for trained personnel in a growing community.

A levy failure would be disastrous to the district. Budget cuts and reducing volunteers by half would leave Manson without the required safety net for the community.

PLEASE VOTE ON THIS IMPORTANT ELECTION!

by Richard Uhlhorn

The Chelan Valley Republican Women held a Republican Candidates Forum Thursday evening, July 11 at Wine Girl Wines featuring all candidates running for elective office on the upcoming August Primary.

**It was a nice crowd of interested voters at the Chelan Valley Republican Women’s Republican Candidate Forum on Thursday, July 11 at Wine Girl Wines**.

The County will be mailing the primary ballots on July 15.

Fire District 5 replacement levy:
Prior to each candidate speaking to the large audience, Arnold Baker, Fire Chief of Manson’s Fire District 5 explained the importance of the upcoming Replacement Levy.

The expiring 10-year levy has been collecting 89 cents per $1,000, but with the tremendous growth and increased property tax revenues in Manson, the amount has dropped to 41 cents/$1000. “We are asking for 75 cents per thousand,” said Baker. “It is a lot of money. I understand that,” said Baker.

He added that Manson has more volunteers than it has ever had. The levy, if passed, would help the district up its training, build a training complex, purchase a new fire truck and move a half-time position to full time.

He initially explained that the district is working with the Incident Management Team to protect Manson from the Pioneer Fire if it actually makes it to the community.

“In 2002 during the Deer Point Fire we protected 60 homes with no losses,” said Baker, who was the fire chief at that point also. “Today there are 160 to 200 homes on the same footprint.”

“The Incident Management Team is doing a very good job and are hoping the contingency lines hold. We hope for the best but are planning for the worst.”

Someone in the audience asked why retardant isn’t being used on the fire. Baker explained that there were environmental reasons and the fact that each drop cost $25,000. “I’m thankful for the suppression efforts taking place for our community.” He finished by encouraging the registered voters to vote for the levy.

Speakers:
Dave Reichert, Republican candidate for Governor was first up to address the attendees. Reichert told the audience that he sees three major issues facing the State.

The Criminal Justice System throughout the State.
Homelessness and the substance abuse and mental illness associated with it.
The Economy and taxes.

Regarding the tax issue, Reichert said the Legislature wanted to raise the property cap from 1% to 3% and that the Legislature tried to put a 15 cent increase on all ammunition sold.

He then brought up the gorilla in the building… the Carbon Gas Tax that is costing vehicle owners up to 50 cents more per gallon. “Inslee could have hit pause on this,” said Reichert. Instead, he said there is a movement to increase the Carbon Gas Tax to 80 or 90% in the coming months.

Reichert also said the State has a $4.1 billion surplus. “Inslee says if we vote No on the increases, there will not be enough money to do all the things that need done.” He also said that $1 billion is missing from Government COVID funding.

He also stated that the Democrats have a tracker on him and are recording everything he says. “We are going to win this race,” Reichert who added, “You need to get out and vote and veto the gas tax bills. We have to get the Democrats to vote for us also.”

Reichert decried the fact that traditionally, only 30 percent of the registered voters actually vote. “We need to get 60 to 80 percent voting.”

Bob Hagglund – Lt. Governor
Hagglund said that the Lt. Governor is the President of the State Legislature. He talked about housing affordability and the causes of homelessness including mental illness. “It is time for a new direction,” said Hagglund. “Event the Seattle liberals are getting it. It’s (state government) is not working.”

Sharon Hanek – State Treasurer
Hanek told the audience that she has been a CPA for 25; years doing taxes and said she wants to take her experience into the State Treasurers office. “I want to review this system,” she said and asked for their vote.

Brian Burnett – running for State Representative Position 1 (Representative Goehner’s seat).
Burnett who has 25 years of experience in law enforcement; 12 years as Chelan County Sheriff, said he has put 3,000 miles on his car visiting District 12 communities. “I have been meeting with amazing people,” said Burnett. “They ask what changes he would make and he replied that constituents need a team that can work as team. “If you don’t get out and vote that is an end game.”

Mike Steele – District 12 Position 2 seeking relection.
Steele mentioned the $20 million he has brought to the district and that as the minority leader he said he was very excited to represent the district.

Serving on the Education Committee, Steele remarked that the state is spending $35 billion on education alone. “I want to give the power back to the parents,” said Steele. “We need to change our focus and are one vote away from the Super Majority.” He added that as the minority they are not even invited into the room.” He stated that it is an interesting job and he is proud to do it.

Chelan County Commission:
There are four candidates for Tiffaney Gearing’s District 3 commission seat. All are qualified to hold the seat and the voters will have to make a hard decision on who they want to represent them for the next four years when Gearing leaves the office.

Brad Hawkins
Hawkins told the audience that he is looking forward to bring his experience to the 3^rd District. His issues he wants to address include the economy of Chelan County, the budget and growing tax burden on property owners, wildfire reduction and the affordable housing situation. He also wants to extend the County’s grant opportunities.

Hawkins is an experienced politician who has served in a multitude of public positions including as a State Representative and State Senator which he is currently.

Brandt Cappell
Cappell told the voters that he comes to this position with a new life perspective. He has had a heart transplant and spent 84 days in the University of Washington ICU. Cappell works for Representative Keith Goehner as his assistant and says he knows how to navigate the issues.

Cappell said he has been attending meetings throughout the 3^rd District to get to know the issues and if elected he would open an office in the Lake Chelan Valley to serve his constituency. He also stated that there is $20 million available to build a new substance abuse clinic and that a new location needs to be found.

Flint Hartwig
Hartwig said, “I’ve never been a politician.” He is a developer and owner of the Rock gym in Wenatchee. He sees a massive problem in affordable housing and sets that as one of his major issues to work on if elected.

Hartwig also wants to address the future of farming and tourism in the district without stepping on any toes. “I have real life experiences I want to bring to the commission,” he stated.

Chris Willoughby
Willoughby, a Manson resident grew up on a farm and is still an apple grower. With orchards being replaced by developments, Willoughby wants to work on balancing the changes. He has been a public servant all his life and is proud to say, “I am not a politician.”

Willoughby says he looks at issues and asks “What is the solution!” Looking for solutions to the many issues facing the district and County is his promise if elected to the seat. Issues he would like to address include infrastructure, affordable housing and tourism. “We have local people who can’t support themselves here and are moving elsewhere.”

As an orchardist, he sees farming becoming almost impossible as a sustainable business. “This (apple industry) was the industry that helped to build Chelan County and it is disappearing.”

“I want to be your voice. Be informed of who you are voting for.”

Judge Alan Blackman was given a few minutes to address the voters and encouraged them to get the vote out.

The next meeting of the Chelan Valley Republican Women will take place at Radiance Winery on August 8 with Candidate Dave Olson – Superintendent of Public Instruction and School Board Member Susie Metzger as guests.

Tag: district-3

DISTRICT 3 ELECTION IS IMPORTANT

Meet the candidates