AAUW forum draws a large crowd

DAYTON-Some 80 interested citizens attended when the American Association of University Women (AAUW) held a candidate forum for local candidates, including 5th District Representative, County Sheriff, County Commissioner District No. 3, and Joint Metropolitan Park District Commissioners, at the Liberty Theater last Wednesday, October 5.

The forum drew a full house of attendees eager to listen to those running for a local and state governmental position. Attendees were able to submit questions in writing prior to the opening of the forum, then read by the moderator and AAUW member, Leah Stockton during each question and answer session.

The forum heard from Democratic Fifth Congressional District candidate Natasha Hill. In her introduction, she shared her roots growing up in poverty, which led her becoming an attorney where she fights for the "underdog." Through this she has learned to work with opposing views and the value of compromise. She plans to apply those skills in representing the diverse needs in eastern Washington through strengthening labor and the unions while also ensuring people are paid fair wages with benefits in a safe work environment. She also advocates for quality childcare and preschool. She will work against hate groups, violence and extremism and she supports helping to ease student loan debt.

She referenced Governor Inslee's attempt to close dams in eastern Washington, saying there needs to be more discussion on replacing the infrastructure that would be lost if the dams are shut down, particularly on the Snake River. Agriculture, industry, and families would be affected, she said, and there would need to be resources and funding to support plans moving forward.

Hill's response to the role the United States should play in stopping the spread of authoritarian regimes, she replied that the U.S. democracy needs to be preserved first, but that the United States also has a responsibility to curtail efforts of one party or political systems to take over another as was attempted by the Trump Republicans. She specified the false accusations of fraud in the last elections which was ruled out by the courts. This answer brought a mixed response from the crowd.

She was asked what the best way is to ensure quality affordable healthcare for farmers and small businesses. She answered that she believes the solution is a system where everyone shares the cost of a universal health care.

Hill was questioned about the right of privacy of the individual to make reproductive choices. She stated her position that the right to privacy in making medical decisions is rooted in constitutional law, and the government should not interfere if people are not harming themselves or someone else. She added people should be able to choose what happens with their bodies including with vaccinations, and that she does not support mandates.

The question was posed, as to what actions Hill would support to reduce the effects of climate change on public health. She responded that she sees the effects of climate change with the droughts and their impact on the fire seasons. She is in favor of reducing the use of fossil fuels and the harm caused by people. She said those who have held positions where they could have brought about change and have not should be held accountable. She claimed that not addressing climate change has contributed to an increase in health consequences and those with preexisting conditions are not adequately covered by insurance.

Candidates Sheriff Joe Helm and challenger Deputy Jeff Jenkins were heard.

Helm shared his history of being a corrections officer in Walla Walla where he grew up when he was recruited by Sheriff Walt Hessler to be his Chief Deputy in 2007. He continued in that position under Sheriff Rocky Miller.

In 2019, he ran for and was voted in as Sheriff based on four goals of developing a community oriented policing program, increasing the staffing levels of the department, growing interagency collaboration, and offering proactive law enforcement.

Helm cited examples of ways he has worked towards each goal. He has developed a community oriented policing program through offering the posse program, search and rescue, citizens academies, community forums, and community outreach through building relationships at National Night Out, by having police presence in the schools, participating in community events like Halloween on Main Street and working with the Coalition for Youth and Family to curtail youth substance use and abuse. He has also increased the number of deputies in the department with the goal of offering 24-hour police patrol. As a result, there are more traffic enforcement and criminal charges than in the history of the department.

In addition, he works in partnership with the sheriffs and staff in Walla Walla and Garfield counties and others in the region. He partners with local entities for mass shooter event drills and through a collaborative group for public safety.

Deputy Jeff Jenkins is running against Sheriff Helm and has been in law enforcement for 28 years. The last 23 have been in Columbia County. He is involved in the community as a 4-H leader and is on the All Wheels Weekend Committee. He seeks to reduce complaints and answer them when they are made. He wants to hold the deputies to a higher standard of responsibility and accountability which will bring reliability. This will build trust in the community.

Helm and Jenkins agreed that drugs, particularly Fentanyl is the most significant law enforcement problem in the County. Helm and Jenkins agreed that legislation needs to change the laws on how the problem can be addressed.

County Commissioner District No. 3 incumbent Charles Amerein and opponent Jack Miller were then introduced.

Amerein spoke about working for the community through some of the toughest challenges the last few years including a flood, a pandemic, and a fire. He said the greatest challenge has been dealing with unfunded mandates and executive edicts that come out of Olympia impacting the ability of the County to best serve its residents because it diverts funding and resources away from where it could do the "most good". Amerein said the greatest need for the County is a law and justice center to house an updated and secure county jail. Also needed is a Human Resources department which they are currently working to establish.

Both candidates agreed that economic development is needed, specifically in manufacturing.

Amerein added specifically using the local resources to grow manufacturing and both specified establishing a local mill to process timber that is harvested. Amerein also suggested adding value to the resource in the area and suggested established a meat packing facility and increasing access to the mountains for recreational use.

Miller is in favor of bringing in more commercial business to provide living wage jobs and finding out what hinders them from coming to Dayton.

City Councilman Jim Sueuga, who is on the Parks and Recreation Committee, explained the unfunded Joint Metropolitan Parks District (JMPD) is a measure on the ballot. Once approved by the voters, the candidates with the highest votes for the Board of Commissioners for each of five districts will establish policy for the district and work towards building a pool with the help of grants obtained through the Friends of the Pool. Once built, the district will issue an annual levy for operations and maintenance of the pool and later for other parks and recreational projects. Sueuga then opened the floor for the district candidates for the five-person commission to speak.

District No. 1 candidate Morgan Poche spoke of interest in the pool for the youth and families and has a background in and supports youth athletics and activities. Also, as a homeowner, she wants to know first-hand the impact on taxes. Also for District No. 1 is candidate Diane McKinley who has been active with the Friends of the Pool and instrumental in getting the proposed JMPD on the ballot. She believes a pool is an asset to the community especially in offering swim lessons. She has a strong business background and is experienced in grant writing. Also running for that position is Charles Levy, but he was not present.

District No. 2 candidates are Lisa Naylor who is also part of Friends of the Pool and community member Melissa Bryan. Naylor said she is committed to work towards opening a pool. Bryan is in favor of a limited park and recreation district for the specific purpose of the pool which has a lower tax range for an annual levy. However, if the measure passes for a JMPD, and if she is elected as commissioner, she spoke of keeping the Board on task for pool operations and maintenance and nothing more because she wants to keep Dayton affordable by not over taxing property owners.

Two of the three candidates for District No. 3 were present: Ted Lowe and Paige Aukerman. They both grew up in Dayton and used the pool. Lowe is active in area youth sports and wants to provide more activities for the youth in the community that a district can provide. Aukerman, a local business owner, said she would like to see a pool again for kids and families to use. The other candidate, Dave Schreck was absent.

Marjorie Lowe is running for District No. 4. Lowe has been involved in the community for many years and recognizes the need for a pool for the youth to offer swim lessons and jobs as lifeguards and swim instructors. Three others are also running and were not present; Chris Slack, Paula Murdock, and Robert Yost.

Candidates for District No. 5 is Tony Aukerman and Carol Anderson. Aukerman is a local business owner and wants to give back to the community and supports opening a pool. Carol Anderson was avid user of the pool of the pool before it closed and wants to see a pool again in the community to offer various activities. She is also in favor of the district taking on other parks and recreational projects.

The Columbia County Republican Central Committee Candidate Forum in the Dayton High School Auditorium is scheduled on October 13 at 7 p.m. It will provide another opportunity for the community to hear from the candidates and ask questions.