Assessor Reynolds vows to serve full term if re-elected

A big shoe dropped during the voters’ forum in Colfax Tuesday night.

County Assessor Joe Reynolds said that if he is re-elected he is not going to resign as has been rumored throughout his campaign. In fact, that’s the main reason his challenger, Jim Hawkes, said he is running.

Hawkes admitted in his introduction during the Pullman League of Women Voters forum that he challenged his boss because of a reliable rumor that Reynolds was going to resign after two years and appoint a replacement.

But throughout their mild debate, as they complemented each other about how well they did their jobs, Reynolds insisted that he wants to work four more years.

“I feel I am your assessor,” he told the audience which filled the library’s downstairs meeting room.

“Joe’s done a great job, but I heard this rumor and I want to be the one to take over in his footsteps,” Hawkes said.

“I’m not going to step down,” Reynolds insisted. “I’m going to stay at least four more years.”

“I know all the answers,” he said. “I’m not bragging. It’s the truth.”

When asked about contention in the office, Reynolds said “People have to get over it.”

He was referring to a lawsuit brought by an employee for sexual harassment. The suit was recently dismissed and the employee still works in the assessor’s office.

“I get along with everybody in my office,” Reynods said.

Hawkes concurred.

“I think it’s over,” he said.

“If he’s here for four years I can live with that, but when I heard he was only going to be here for two years, I knew I had to run.”

Reynolds tried to reassure Hawkes.

“I promise you I will be here for four more years,” Reynolds said.

Hawkes said he received the information from a highly ranked person in the Republican party.

“I’m not planning on stepping down,” Reynolds said firmly. “I’ve never lied to you.”

Next on the agenda were the two county sheriff candidates, Sheriff Brett Myers and challenger Adam (Michael) Assenberg.

Myers, who has been sheriff for 12 years, introduced his wife and two daughters and held up a drawing one of his daughters had drawn when he first became sheriff.

“I love this job,” he said. “My commitment is to Whitman County.”

Assenberg said in a quiet voice he was most likely known because of newspaper coverage about his marijuana business.

“I got raided and became the limelight of Whitman County,” he said.

Myers said the county jail is in “great shape.” He added the officers are well trained and that several upgrades, including the computer system, have been done since he’s been sheriff.

When asked about any ramifications of marijuana legalization, Assenberg reached into a pocket and pulled out a small medical bottle containing marijuana pills. He said people have heard myths about marijuana use and he can prove how it has helped his medical condition.

“One of the things I appreciate about my opponent is that he has passion,” Myers concluded.

The forum lasted two hours and also covered Initiative 1351, which would mandate smaller class sizes, and Initiatives 591 and 594 that cover background checks when purchasing guns.