Letters

Backs Tensfeld

Whitman County is facing a tough choice in this election. The role of Whitman County Commissioner position 1 is vacant, and it is up to the citizens to decide who shall lead our county during this time of economic and financial uncertainty. For the last 25 years, Bill Tensfeld has devoted nearly half his life to public service as a volunteer firefighter and EMT, the last 12 being Rosalia’s Fire Chief. He is the only candidate with a proven track record of working with the WSDOT in Highway Maintenance and Traffic Safety. He is currently president of the Whitman County Fire Chiefs Association and Chairman of the Whitman County Hazard Mitigation Steering Committee.

Our county is need of someone with a background in public service and safety, but also a person who understands the complexity of running a successful business. For the past 16 years Bill has been the owner of the Rosalia Mini Storage and has grasped an understanding of the difficulties facing our small businesses.

The current controversies surrounding the commissioners are the direct result of the failure to listen, and it is time we elect an individual who is willing to listen to the people of Whitman County. Bill’s extensive background in public service is more than adequate proof of his ability to work with others and his dedication to the well-being of his fellow citizens. Bill is the type of a candidate that comes along once in a lifetime, and I believe this an opportunity the residents of Whitman County cannot afford to pass up. It is time we move our county in a new and positive direction, and I believe the person who has the capacity to move us forward is Bill Tensfeld.

Jeffrey DeGon,

Oakesdale

Three Reasons

I am urging the citizens of Whitman County to retain Pat O’Neill as a County Commissioner. I have found Pat to be a most frank, honest, concerned, and committed commissioner. He does his homework before he makes decisions and his decisions are guided by his desire to do only what is best for the citizens of our county.

There are three main reasons I support him:

First, I see him at the meetings and events of so many local organizations, boards, commissions, councils, improvement groups, etc. It is wonderful to have seen him all the last four years of his current term.

Second, Pat O’Neill helped to get this county’s finances into the 21st century. Even if he had to step on a few toes, he pushed the commissioners to insist that purchased programs be used. Now Whitman County has a handle on its finances.

Third, Pat has strongly pushed for economic development and has supported the attempt of the Hawkins Company to build a shopping center. Development along the corridor has been discussed for decades, but there is still no infrastructure. There will be no real development without the infrastructure and Hawkins must build it, and more, before there is any reimbursement. It is appropriate the county take the lead on investing in this significant economic development opportunity. If you want to grow your community, you need to invest in your community. Pat has done this.

Edwin P. Garretson, Jr,

Uniontown

Supports Kinzer

I enthusiastically support Dean Kinzer for Whitman County Commissioner, District 2. Since getting to know Dean, I have appreciated his respectful style of listening to what I say rather than pushing his opinions on me. Dean has a quiet strength in the way he reaches out to people and makes them feel comfortable and confident that he has thoroughly weighed what they have to say. As a Pullman School Board member, Dean knows the responsibility that comes with spending tax payer dollars and makes decisions based on fact-finding, foresight and fiscal responsibility. A vote for Dean Kinzer is a big step toward getting Whitman County back on track.

Shan Kelly,

Colfax

Homework

Before marking a ballot, Whitman County voters need to remember it was the former county commission (Largent, Partch, and Finch) that unanimously committed the county to the state-line development. They did so believing the cost of providing access, etc. was in the financial best interest of the county. This is just one of the things that county government does; it provides infrastructure that will enhance the tax value of a property that is being developed. Over the long term, increased tax revenues from the development will repay the county’s costs and eventually they will become an enduring positive contribution to the county budget.

One commissioner was replaced after the previous election (Finch), and the new commissioner, Pat O’Neill, questioned the request to increase the county’s commitment to the state-line development.

O’Neill became convinced that it was still in the financial best interests of the entire county for the project to proceed even though the cost had increased.

You can be assured that he got realistic answers to all relevant questions before he voted to proceed.

My evidence that O’Neill is diligent is his insistence that the county implement the financial accounting program that had been bought and paid for, but not implemented for several years.

Once the modem accounting system was installed, we learned that about one half million dollars of assumed county assets did not exist.

The budget had to be revised with this discovery, and as a result, the budget passed the next state audit.

Pat O’Neill asks the tough questions, does his homework, and effectively serves his constituents, the people of Whitman County. Become fully informed, and vote for Pat O’Neill.

Daniel Leonard,

Johnson

Common sense

We support Bill Tensfeld for Whitman County Commissioner. We have known Bill for over 25 years, and believe that he will be a hardworking, open-minded, and dedicated leader for our community.

Bill has the experience and common sense to work with the public to better our community.

Gary & Trudy Libey,

Colfax

Qualifications

I want to take this opportunity to encourage the people of Whitman County to be prepared to vote in the general election this fall. In order to help people in that process I would like to share with everyone about a man that I think would be a very good choice for the position of County Commissioner for District #1 of Whitman County.

Enough of us voted for Art Swannack to qualify him for the election in November.

I want to remind you of the qualifications that Art brings to the table as our new commissioner.

Art is a lifetime resident of Whitman County who has been successfully associated with farming and ranching all of his life.

He understands business, how finances work, he has a balanced outlook on life and is honest in all he does, low key and easy to work with as has been demonstrated by his ability to see the needs of others, no matter the political party, and listen and respond in a caring way.

Art believes in involving people in his decision making process and often asks people what they think before he decides a course of action.

Art is calm and straight forward and desires to be able to speak clearly and be understood clearly and he will go over an issue until he accomplishes that goal.

Art is a man of integrity that would be an asset on any commission or in any government office and has a goal to bring our country back to a government, “of the people, by the people, and for the people” starting with the office of District #1 Whitman County Commissioner.

I feel that the people of Whitman County would do well and not be disappointed in joining with me to elect Art Swannack as the Whitman County Commissioner for District #1. Remember if you want someone who will listen to input, discuss, evaluate, and then make decisions then Art will be your choice.

Let me remind all of us that it is our right and duty to vote in local, state, and national elections. If you haven’t registered to vote do it now and be ready to do your duty in November.

Denny O’Keefe,

St. John

Ag panel request

Attention farmers and ranchers; Rich Cowan will ask for appointment to the House Agriculture Committee where he will be able to cast votes for the farmers of the Fifth U.S. Congressional district.

Cathy McMorris Rodgers serves on the Energy Committee because she then receives large amounts of money from Big Oil for her campaigns.

Rich Cowan is running for Congress because he wants to end the deadlock. He is willing to compromise to pass bills to help the Fifth U.S. Congressional district.

Patricia Orlich,

Pullman

Forward thinker

I am endorsing Bill Tensfeld who is a candidate for Whitman County Commissioner District 1. Since I have known Mr. Tensfeld, he has worked selflessly in the fire and Emergency Medical communities of Whitman County, Spokane County and the State, fostering better relationships between departments, and encouraging training at every opportunity.

I know Mr. Tensfeld to be a forward thinker who is tempered by common sense. He keeps an open mind when listening to others and is able to work within a given budget which are traits not seen in the county for a while. I believe as soon as the voters get to know Mr. Tensfeld better they will give him their support and vote for him.

Steve Van Dyke,

Rosalia