PORT TOWNSEND — Candidates Kate Dean, Jeff Gallant, Cynthia Koan, Holly Postmus and Tim Thomas — who are running in the Aug. 2 primary election for the Jefferson County commissioner District 1 seat — answered questions about their positions.
District 1 covers the Port Townsend area.
What should be the county’s role in balancing the needs for a vibrant economy and a protected natural environment?
Dean: Balancing these two critical elements comes down to good planning.
The county must work closely with citizens and the city of Port Townsend to determine where we want density and what services we need to serve growth there while preserving other lands.
Planning for growth gives us an opportunity to talk about where we want (and how to pay for) affordable housing and multimodal transportation.
We can plan for growth and preserve working and conservation lands.
Gallant: Full implementation of the Growth Management Act requires the establishment of critical-area and natural-resource protection along with the appropriate zoning for commercial activities.
Counties should continue on the path of directing higher-density residential and commercial growth into areas where infrastructure and development already exists or can be provided at a lower cost without creating suburban sprawl.
Koan: We have to do both well.
Protecting our natural resources, habitat, soil, water and air is not optional, so as we necessarily protect our natural environment, we also must enrich the economic soil of Jefferson County.
The county’s role in land-use planning, environmental-health and building permitting, and enforcement is key.
We literally live on, and off of, the land.
Protecting our natural environment is the path to a vibrant economy in Jefferson County.
Postmus: The county’s role when promoting a vibrant economy should be as a mediator to ensure the county’s natural environment, its resources, is conserved.
Future impacts should be weighed accordingly.
Public opinion will play an important role in the mediation process.
Thomas: The candidates will say they want smart growth and environmental conservation, but unless they have a background in both fields, they will probably lean toward one or the other.
Jefferson County needs affordable housing, updated infrastructure and real job growth, but to achieve these things, we need to elect leaders who understand the importance of conservation and how to grow a business.
With planning, we can have a thriving community without sacrificing natural beauty.
How would you improve Jefferson County’s economy?
Dean: Our high population of entrepreneurs (twice the number per capita across Washington) is our greatest asset.
We can support entrepreneurs by:
■ Working strategically with the port, city, Economic Development Council, chamber of commerce and other partners to identify and fund infrastructure needs.
■ Pushing state and federal agencies to allow innovation in regulations.
■ Building on our identity as a place that balances environment and economic growth successfully, such as in local agriculture, renewable energy and recreation.
Gallant: The No. 1 support that small businesses need is other small businesses.
When businesses have to shop outside the county for services, their costs goes up dramatically.
Providing adequate land and infrastructure promotes diversity in business.
Having a vital and resilient free market requires a level of predictability.
A sewer system in the Port Hadlock urban growth area will produce some predictability for businesses that are best suited for that area.
Koan: In Jefferson County, we have an earnest desire to create adequate and affordable housing stocks and grow small and local business, but we frustrate those who try to build and do business here.
I would hold the county accountable from top to bottom in making the building and environmental health departments’ permitting processes clear, accountable, fast and fair while protecting and enhancing the environment and the rural nature of Jefferson County.
Postmus: Encourage new business growth in high-tech enterprises and marine-trades research that would fill new niches in their fields and promote more educational programs in arts and trades, university research projects and manufacturing and other businesses that operate year-round that would provide good-paying jobs while limiting environmental impacts.
Thomas: We need to build infrastructure that enables middle-class jobs to exist here.
Let’s finish the development of the Hadlock-Irondale urban growth area and court employers to move to Glen Cove.
Let’s loosen restrictions on affordable, higher-density housing so people can afford to live here.
We need to investigate bringing trade schools with programs such as welding, automotive and computer-aided design to our county.
Let’s give our children the option to work and live in our community.
What would you change in the comprehensive plan?
Dean: Having co-authored the Climate Change Preparedness Plan for the North Olympic Peninsula, I believe that the county needs to incorporate projected climate-change impacts into long-range planning.
The upcoming comprehensive plan update provides the ideal opportunity for the county to identify decision-making tools and adaptation strategies for a changing environment, landscape and population.
This planning is also fiscally responsible, as the costs associated with climate change are projected to be enormous to citizens, taxpayers and governments.
Gallant: The emphasis should be on updating the comprehensive plan rather than changing the plan.
The goals and policies of the plan are generally focused well on long-term stability.
The action items attached to the various strategies are too numerous and unfocused.
We are a small county with limited budget and leadership resources.
It would be better to focus on a smaller list of action items that are focused on the business of the county.
Koan: The comprehensive plan is the people’s document, and as such it should not only reflect the values and vision of the people in Jefferson County, but also it should be short, clear, readable and accessible to the people.
Our upcoming update must reflect our changing environment and desire for a thriving local economy as well as ways to encourage our rural business centers in Chimacum, Quilcene, Brinnon and Discovery Bay while protecting our county’s rural character.
Postmus: The county’s comprehensive plan is a guideline for future growth and designed as a template that identifies important issues to consider in planning.
No one has the solution to homelessness or affordable housing.
Collaboration and new ideas will be needed to improve and refine the comprehensive plan.
The Brinnon sub-plan promotes a resort development, encouraging local jobs.
Are the Black Point employee residential units planned for local inhabitants or for imported workers?
Thomas: I would change anything in the comprehensive plan that prevents or limits healthy economic growth for our citizens.
If the current plan does not support affordable housing alternatives including nontraditional options, then we should amend it.
If it does not nurture living-wage careers by welcoming new enterprise, then we need to amend it.
If it does not address the shifting economic needs of local residents regarding transportation, then we need to amend it.
What would be your top accomplishment, and how would you achieve it?
Dean: My No. 1 goal is to see growth in the number of living-wage jobs in Jefferson County, which in turn would bring a healthy balance to the population of youth, working families and retirees.
Growing a vibrant community involves:
■ The economic development plan above, with a focus on innovation and sustainability as we look to a changing environment.
■ Collaboration with schools, health care, the city and recreation providers to secure amenities for all ages.
Gallant: Success will be measured by facilitating individuals and groups to work together on their common goals.
All good managers know that success is a team effort.
My goal as a public official will be to be approachable by a wide range of interests.
Land developers and environmentalists, the unemployed and homeless, representatives of arts and culture, tribes, business leaders and special interests would all have equal access to me while I hold public office.
Koan: When I leave office, I would like to be able to say that our land, air and water is cleaner, we are entirely reliant on renewable energy, our infrastructure and finances are sound, our kids and adults are safer and healthier, and our citizens are more engaged in our community, our government and in our future.
My “top accomplishment” would be to do my very best in every single action to accomplish just those things.
Postmus: I hope to focus on two equally important accomplishments: put truth back into equal opportunity employment in county business, and secondly, work toward making wastewater treatment infrastructure a priority throughout the county.
State and federal grants should be solicited, and any private developments should share responsibility for helping to encourage nearby residents to be partners in shared reduction of water pollution.
Thomas: Fulfilling the promise of the sewer system in the Hadlock urban growth area will promote economic vitality.
I believe that a strong economy in Hadlock will create a vibrant community that will enhance schools, parks and transportation.
It is an investment in the future of our county that is long overdue.
I will insist on finding the funding at federal, state and local levels while properly scaling the project for initial installation and future growth.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
Dean: I bring unparalleled experience in government and successful public-private partnerships as well as the strongest track record in community development projects, including planning for climate change, growing the local food economy, farmland preservation, grant-writing for schools, the Fort Worden PDA [Public Development Authority] — all things this community values.
Having lived in and owned businesses in all three districts of this county and having raised children here gives me a deep understanding of the complex issues facing Jefferson County.
Gallant: I will stay focused on the actual business of the county.
I will not forget that while I might be elected by a certain constituency, after I am elected, I will represent all citizens of Jefferson County.
I will strive every day to balance the interests of the individuals against the interests of the entire county.
Koan: I bring my long-standing and countywide connections, my ability to listen to and hear diverse points of view and my passion to fight for the land and the people of this county.
I want to be your District 1 county commissioner.
Postmus: I have been a Colorado county employee for 15 years, the last five of which I was the department head.
I am familiar with the budget-planning process and other administrative functions.
I have collaborated with many agencies in cooperative projects.
I served on the county Planning Board, Open Space Board and the Colorado Weed Management Association’s board of directors.
This body of collaborative work makes me a viable candidate for consideration as Jefferson County commissioner.
Thomas: I am not an academic or career politician, but as a long-standing member of the community and a business leader with decades of technical experience with multiple state and local agencies including the state departments of Ecology and Fish and Wildlife, and local tribal agencies, to shape and protect our local environment, I will work closely with my fellow friends and neighbors across the county to make real, tangible improvements to our community and economy.
