Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Mary Dye
Lathim
MARY DYE
RICHARD LATHIM
Opponents for the Ninth District state representative's office met in Colfax for a one-hour forum Monday night sponsored by the League of Women Voters.
Mary Dye and challenger Richard Lathim fielded an array of questions in front of an audience at Whitman County Library.
In opening statements, Dye disparaged government involvement.
“I believe the government is in our lives more than you can imagine,” she said.
In Lathim's opening statement, he read a summary of his background – a fifth-generation farmer from Connell, who raised the sixth on the land. Last December, he retired as Franklin County Sheriff after 28 years in the elected post.
To a question of how each would work with Governor Jay Inslee, Dye made a point.
“The agriculture community of eastern Washington is way ahead of him on global warming,” she said.
Lathim answered with a point about taxes, saying he disagreed with the governor on raising them, mentioning capital gains taxes as well. He concluded saying he doesn't know what he and the governor might agree on.
“It takes wealth to protect the environment,” said Dye as part of another answer. “Poor countries never do.”
To a different question, Dye talked about the places she's been and people she has met and worked with so far in her time in the legislature – after being appointed to former Rep. Susan Fagan's seat after her resignation in May.
“Every day is a new field trip,” Dye said.
To a question about wages, Lathim cited his years as a county sheriff.
“The market should drive the wages,” he said.
“Prevailing wage is an interesting issue,” Dye said, talking about the transportation bill passed in the legislature this summer, which raised gas taxes 13 cents. “These will be prevailing wage projects. That's the system we have in place ... I think it's an issue we need to really evaluate.”
The two opponents then listened to a question about a trail between Colfax and Pullman, tied to another question about the proposal to close a section of the John Wayne Trail.
“The language (of the proposal) did not indeed close the trail, but rather recognized that the Parks Department had neglected to care for it,” Dye said. “It really corrected an injustice against the landowners, who had to take care of it in their place.”
Lathim said he didn't know the details about the trail idea between Colfax and Pullman to comment. On the John Wayne Trail matter, he did.
“You do not represent the people when you don't let the people know what's going on,” said Lathim. “When you go to Olympia, you're going there to conduct the people's business. You're not going there to conduct a segment of the people's business.”
To another question, Dye talked about being in Olympia.
“Working in state government, you're working with people that may not appreciate our way of life,” she said.
The two candidates were asked about what their top issues were that they would like to work on in Olympia.
“I'm on the environment committee and I'm really excited about it,” Dye said.
Lathim talked about K-12 education.
“The amount of testing ... then that testing changes, I hear about it often,” he said. “We gotta get a handle on this.”
He mentioned two other top issues, the state budget and criminal justice – taking the burden off of law enforcement on mental health issues.
Dye answered another question.
“Let's be honest, education is not all about money,” she said. “It's also about our culture, and where we've gone with our culture.”
Lathim talked about government, saying that he can work with people, while he “doesn't want to be told what to do.”
“Capitalism, conservatism, free markets, liberty,” said Dye. “I believe this to the depth of my soul. In Olympia, it's about relationships. You have to work winsomely and creatively to get anything done in Olympia.”
She answered another question about working with representatives from western Washington.
“We have to get on offense,” Dye said. “They need to hear from us, and understand what we believe. ... I intend to go over there and defend our arguments but also play offense.”
The candidates were asked about Planned Parenthood.
“How many women here use Planned Parenthood as your primary care doctor?” said Dye. “Hands? I don't either.”
She indicated that it isn't necessary, government supports various health clinics which women can go to.
“These are supported by taxes, without offending more than half of the citizens,” Dye said. “Let Planned Parenthood go on and be free market on their own paradigm.”
Lathim then answered.
“What is Planned Parenthood doing? Is it required? Should it be subsidized? I think the time has come to take a hard look at that.”
The next question was about trust in local officials.
Lathim cited his time as Franklin County Sheriff, with annual audits.
“I have a proven track record,” he said.
“You can only bring what you've practiced,” said Dye. “In public trust ... our leaders reflect our culture in a lot of ways, we have a lot of relative morals.”
They were asked who they would like to be the new Speaker of the House in the United States Congress.
“I really don't know,” said Dye. “I just want someone that understands the heart and soul of conservatism.”
Lathim answered next, saying that he thought it is wrong when party officials work from a “top down” approach in deciding what matters will go to a vote.
In his closing statement, Lathim referred again to his work as sheriff.
“I look at this like my job in law enforcement,” said Lathim. “To protect the rights of the citizens of this state.”
“I believe in my heart and soul that we can change the direction that Olympia is taking this state,” said Dye. “We're rooted to this land and committed in ways that they cannot understand.”
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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