Commissioner Candidates Discuss Many Important Issues Facing Columbia County

In extensive interviews with Blue Mountain News, Dwight Robanske, Tony Currin, Dick Jones and Wanda Brooks talked about the budget, economic development, law and justice and the new county shop, among other issues. Here are summaries of those interviews.

By Ken Graham

Dwight Robanske came to our office for an in-depth interview. Here are highlights:
Dwight Robanske was first elected Commissioner in 2000. He is a Dayton native and Vietnam Era U.S. Navy veteran. Robanske worked for many years in Anchorage, AK, as a sales director for Carr-Gottstein Foods Co., before retiring and returning to Dayton in 1999. He has been an active member of Kiwanis, Lions and American Legion. He has also been on the board of the Palouse Economic Development Council (PEDC) for eight years.

Economic development is the number one issue Robanske has focused on as Commissioner. Shortly after he took office in 2000, he was the first Commissioner to meet with the wind energy development companies – before they made their interest in Columbia County publicly known.

Robanske stresses that the County Commissioners' diligent attention to the planning process for wind energy development has been critical, and will continue to be so for the next few years. "It's extremely important that we maintain local control of the wind development process," he says. "If we don't, the state can step in and overrule us. It happened in Kittitas County and it can happen here." Robanske refers to a decision by Governor Gregoire to override the Kittitas County Commissioners, who had rejected a wind project for that county.

Says Robanske, "Once the state steps in, we lose control of where wind turbines go. The state can put them wherever they want." Voters approved a state-wide mandate that power companies produce at least 15% of their power from renewable sources, and Robanske says that the state has the authority to make sure this mandate is met. "We've been very successful in putting a robust planning process in place that allows wind development here to happen in a way that considers the needs of our citizens first, not those of the power consumers on the west side," says Robanske. "We put a 1½ mile turbine-free buffer around historic Dayton and there are now strict setback requirements in the zoning ordinance."

Robanske pointed to the construction of a new county shop as a great improvement in county facilities and services. He says the old shop has needed to be replaced for many years. "Funds for a new shop were in place back in 1996, but the flood hit and wiped them out," he says. In the years since, says Robanske, the county has built its Road Department Reserve – designated for emergencies such as floods – up to $1 million, which is now a state requirement. He adds that new tax revenues from the wind projects will easily cover the debt payments for the new shop.

"Debt payments on the shop will be about $50,000 per year, but we will save at least half that by moving the County Engineer's office there and eliminating the rent we pay to the Port for the Engineer's current office, along with greatly reducing utility costs." And so, the net cost to the county for the new shop will be less than $25,000 per year. Despite rumors he's heard about road crew cutbacks, Robanske says that he foresees no staff reductions. In fact, he says that the new shop will allow the county to do more equipment maintenance in-house, and probably necessitate the hiring of an additional mechanic.

Robanske says he is most proud of his economic development efforts since he's become Commissioner. "I've spent countless hours, and I've met repeatedly with state and national legislators to help facilitate projects in Columbia County," he says. "I feel like it's paying off, but there's lots more to be done."

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We invited Tony Currin to our office for an interview, but he requested instead that we conduct an interview by email, and we agreed. Here are our questions and highlights of his responses:

BMN: Why do you want to be Commissioner?
TC: I will bring a fresh set of ideas to the table, and the needed changes that will allow the people of our county to grow and prosper.

BMN: What are the three most important issues that will face the Columbia County Board of Commissioners in the next four years?
TC: The budget is one of my main concerns. I really want to evaluate the budgets of the different departments to make sure that the money spent is being used effectively and productively. I feel that there are some areas that can be greatly improved. I want to make sure that the people are informed of how their tax money is spent.
I also feel that economic growth is a major issue that needs to be addressed. Everyone will prosper if we can increase the economic growth in our county. I want to spend some time evaluating how we can improve in this area by developing an economic plan. I feel that the wind turbines fall into this category because they bring in jobs and money.
The road department is an issue that I'm concerned about too. With the new shop that is under construction at this time, many people are wondering if the timing is right for such an expensive project.

BMN: Can you give some specific examples of work experience or things you've done in the past that demonstrate that you will be a highly effective Commissioner?
TC: I ran my own successful business for seven years, having between 10-12 employees at a convenience store/fuel station. You have to go through hundreds of thousands of dollars to make a small profit. Any little thing can affect the bottom line. It has to be run very efficiently and carefully, reviewing the spending and income at regular intervals. I know the importance of sticking to the budget and controlling spending.

BMN: If you are elected, what one thing would you like to be most known for four years from now?
TC: I believe sticking to good fundamentals of running a successful business will bring good results. I want to be known for improving the internal structure of the county and improving communications between all the departments and the community.

After receiving these answers, we asked a series of follow-up questions.

BMN: On your list of important issues, you put the budget first. Can you give any specific examples in the current Columbia County Budget where you think budget items and/or amounts should have been different?
TC: I would like to go through each of the budgets to see if any beneficial changes can be made.

BMN: Do you have any specific suggestions for changes you'd like to see in the county's 2009 budget?
TC: After talking to the public, there is a concern about the fairgrounds. Hopefully we can make room in the budget for some needed improvements in this area.

BMN: Regarding the second issue you listed, do you have any specific economic development projects in mind, other than wind energy, that you hope to work on as Commissioner?
TC: Economic development has been a tough issue in the county for some time. With the economic turmoil that is going on nationally, I'm sure it will continue to be a problem for a while. We need to figure out a way to make it beneficial for a company to come in.

BMN: Regarding wind energy, do you feel that the recently adopted changes to Columbia County's zoning ordinance regarding wind turbine setbacks are appropriate, or should they have been more or less stringent?
TC: A plan needs to be in place before the design is implemented. There is only a limited window of time to have standards in place that is suitable to all those involved. These standards need to be discussed and the concerns of the people need to be heard and taken into account when they are set.

BMN: You said you're concerned about the road department and specifically the new county shop. Do you feel the county should not be building a new shop? Do you have any other specific concerns about the road department, or changes you think should be made?
TC: I realize that the new road shop has already been bought. Paying for it is a major concern to many people in the county. Citizens feel it was approved too fast without considerable notice.

BMN: Have you been attending any Columbia County Commissioners' meetings in the last year?
TC: I have been to meetings for personal business matters. When I need to get specific information, I just contact the commissioner's office.

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Dick Jones came to our office for an in-depth interview. Here are some highlights:

Dick Jones started farming in Columbia County in 1963. He was a member of the Dayton School Board for 20 years and served on the REA board for 12 years. He was a Fire District 3 volunteer for over 30 years. Jones was appointed to the Columbia County Board of Commissioners in 1999 and was reelected in 2000 and 2004.

Jones says that Columbia County's budget situation has improved markedly in the last ten years. "When I-695 passed in 1999 the county lost $1 million in state revenues," he says. "We had to lay off several employees, and all departments saw budget reductions." Over the years, Jones says that smaller counties have convinced the state to change some of the ways they are funded. "That, along with increased tax revenues from the wind projects have put us in a position to begin re-filling those positions we lost," he says.

When asked what he felt were the most important issues facing the County right now, Jones first brought up law and justice. He pointed to an antiquated and overcrowded jail that can't house women, and a lack of space in the court house for District Court as two urgent problems facing the county. "Transferring inmates and housing them in other counties is costing us a lot of money," he says. Jones says he is looking at many funding options – particularly using state grants – to allow the county to build a new Law and Justice Center, away from the court house, that would house law enforcement, emergency management, court offices and jails. Says Jones, "the state mandates that we have up-to-date facilities for the courts and law enforcement, and there are funds available to make that happen. With our improved budget situation, we can now provide the needed matching funds without impacting other services."

Another issue that Jones sees as vital to the county is upgrading the Columbia County Fairgrounds. As the Board of Commissioners' fairgrounds representative, Jones has created a committee of government representatives and citizens to work on a plan for significant upgrading of the fairgrounds facilities. "We recently put the fairgrounds and the golf course into a new Public Works Department, which opens up new funding sources" he says.
"We've already increased the fairgrounds and golf course budgets significantly in the last five years and made a lot of improvements" says Jones, referring to rewiring of buildings and replacing water and sewer lines. "In the next few years we hope to complete significant upgrades to the youth building, the pavilion, the grandstands and the horse stables," says Jones.

When we asked Jones what he was most proud of in his nine years as commissioner, he pointed to maintaining his integrity and being open minded. "Whether you agree with me or not, I have always listened carefully to all sides and then made decisions based on what I felt was best for the whole county, not just for a small group," he says. Jones stresses that he's committed to finding new, judicious ways to make the services the county provides better. "Even though I've been around for awhile, I'm still always looking for new and better ways to do things," he says. As examples, he points to his efforts in the areas of law and justice and the fairgrounds.

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We invited Wanda Brooks to our office for an interview, but she requested instead that we conduct an interview by email, and we agreed. Here are our questions and highlights of her responses:

BMN: Why do you want to be Commissioner?
WB: I truly believe I can enhance and preserve the quality of life in Columbia County.

BMN: What are the three most important issues that will face the Columbia County Board of Commissioners in the next four years?
WB: Budget- A concentrated effort to effectively utilize funds and maximize efficiency is paramount. My single most important responsibility is to safeguard your tax dollar. To accomplish that will entail efficient ties to money spent and services provided. Taxpayers must be informed.
Economic Development-Local government, along with the citizens of our county, must define and effectively implement an economic development strategy that works. Understand that people always confuse motion with accomplishment!

Wind Turbines and County Roads hold equal importance for the third issue. Both with unique concerns and problems, I feel they must be handled responsibly through willingness to listen to those in the trenches. I plan to provide the common ground for resolution by listening to the people and formally responding to concerns.

BMN: Can you give some specific examples of work experience or things you've done in the past that demonstrate that you will be a highly effective Commissioner?
WB: I was instrumental in funding a state-of-the-art community center in Cle Elum, WA. I have secured funds for Okanogan County to purchase and implement a permit tracking software system. I have secured a large grant for restoration of Wait Mill in Waitsburg. I served on the planning commission in S. Cle Elum, Washington and was instrumental in the development of the town's Comprehensive Plan.

BMN: If you are elected, what one thing would you like to be most known for four years from now?
WB: Honest and effective government.
After receiving these answers, we asked a series of follow-up questions.

BMN: On your list of important issues, you put the budget first. Can you give any specific examples in the current Columbia County Budget where you think budget items and/or amounts should have been different?
WB: With zero-based processing, one can forget about last year, create a budget that is clear and concise, and see if one can provide a detail of expenses for what one would need to fully accomplish the goals of the county. This technique will help one to develop a complete picture of what the county services and programs actually need to cost and not just what it has been costing.

BMN: Do you have any specific suggestions for changes you'd like to see in the county's 2009 budget? [The 2009 budget is currently being prepared and will be adopted before the end of 2008 –Ed.]
WB: As stated in the previous answer, I fully intend to implement a zero budget exercise. Zero-based budgeting is a technique of planning and decision-making which reverses the working process of traditional budgeting.

BMN: Regarding the second issue you listed, do you have any specific economic development projects in mind, other than wind energy, that you hope to work on as Commissioner?
WB: Economic Development is everyone's goal, but no one has evaluated why efforts have been less than successful. I am going to lead a process to determine what our citizens want and then determine the obstacles that need to be removed.

BMN: Regarding wind energy, do you feel that the recently adopted changes to Columbia County's zoning ordinance regarding wind turbine setbacks are appropriate, or should they have been more or less stringent?
WB: In speaking with the public, the people aren't as concerned with the numbers as they are the process with which the turbines were introduced into our county. This began with our current commissioners and not our planning department. Formal response should be a priority when any citizen voices a question or concern.

BMN: You said that there are "unique concerns and problems" regarding county roads. Can you give any specific examples of those, and what changes you think should be made?
WB: The county shop project is an example. My concern with the budget is at this point it is only numbers that add up. As I converse with the public I am hearing a real disconnect from what people think are priorities versus the numbers and more importantly the process that created them.

BMN: Have you been attending any Columbia County Commissioners' meetings in the last year?
WB: No, to keep up on issues I have been out speaking with the people and laying the commissioners decisions against the public's perception.

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