Commissioner O'Neill will seek a second term

Whitman County Commissioner Pat O’Neill, a Democrat from Johnson, announced his plans Monday morning to seek a second term representing District 2.

O’Neill, 64, defeated incumbent Jerry Finch of Pullman for the seat four years ago.

In a prepared press release, O’Neill pointed to his efforts to make the county’s finances more accountable and said he has asked “hard questions and getting the results the taxpayers deserve for their hard-earned dollars.”

“All I know is hard work,” he said. “And I’m going to work just as hard this time.”

Because of that work, said O’Neill, the New World accounting software was put into use last year, more than six years after it was purchased. Whitman County has also submitted completed financial statements to state auditors after years of missed deadlines and incomplete reports.

He also pointed to the decision he led to purchase the county health department’s office in the Professional Mall in Pullman. O’Neill said that decision resulted in reduced long-term operating costs and ensures a health department presence in the county’s largest city.

O’Neill, along with District 1 Commissioner Greg Partch, has come under fire recently for the decision to increase the county’s commitment to Hawkins Companies’ stalled shopping center to $15 million.

O’Neill said the decision was made to further economic development in the county and grow its tax base to ensure future continuance of county services.

The decision resulted in an injunction suit brought against the county by several Whitman County residents who filed the suit as the Organization to Void Illegal Conduct.

O’Neill stood by his decision.

“I don’t flip-flop. When I make a decision, I stick by it. That’s a fact,” he said.

In his 2008 campaign against Finch, O’Neill spoke out against the commissioners’ decision then to build $9.1 million worth of infrastructure for Hawkins’ proposed center.

“I was against it in the beginning, yes,” said O’Neill. “But that changed after I got educated and learned all the facts, and saw where the county’s finances were.”

In his prepared statement, O’Neill said the development will provide the county enough sales and property tax revenue to “pay our own way and live by our own means.”

Ewartsville farmer Dean Kinzer announced in February he would challenge O’Neill for the seat. Kinzer is running as a Republican.

Partch has yet to announce whether he will seek a fourth term representing District 1.

Kirk Suess of Steptoe, Bill Tensfeld of Rosalia and Art Swannack of Lamont have all announced campaigns for Partch’s seat.

O’Neill worked for 35 years as an airplane mechanic for United Airlines. He and his wife, Connie, have been married 42 years. They have three grown children.