Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Sandy Jamison
Eric Fejeran
Michael Largent
John-Mark Mahnkey
Whitman County political candidates gathered in Pullman Oct. 18 for a League of Women Voters forum at Trinity Lutheran Church, featuring two races with one taken off the slate.
The question-and-answer session for treasurer candidates Mark Clinton, the incumbent, and Chris Nelson, did not go forward due to Nelson's absence for a family emergency.
AUDITOR
The night began in a side room in the church with the auditor's race.
Eric Fejeran and Sandy Jamison started with opening statements.
After Jamison stood up to give hers, Fejeran noted he opted to remain seated because he had just spilled bottled water on the front of his pants.
On the first question – read by League of Women Voters (LOWV) representatives after attendees wrote them on small notecards – was about how to retain county employees.
"Being a leader is 70 percent listening," said Fejeran, vice president of United Way of Pullman and chair of Whitman County Democrats, as part of his answer. He is also a poker dealer at Zeppoz. Jamison went next.
"I lead by example," she said, a certified public accountant with a Masters in Business Administration from WSU. "Employees would need to be looking at me. I expect only as much from them as I expect from myself."
The next question was about computer skills to use against hacking and interfering with elections.
"I would utilize the I.T. department as best I can, also watching the process of ballots as they go in and out," Jamison said.
Fejeran followed.
"I believe faith in our government institutions is at an all-time low now," he began, before talking about being sure no internet access is possible on voting machines, which some states had/have a problem with.
Another question: How can the auditor make sure ballots are mailed correctly?
Jamison answered that she planned to become credentialed in each area of the county elections operation, to make sure all processes are followed correctly.
Next: how would you make the auditor's office more transparent?
"What I say I will do is what I will do," Jamison said. "The bottom line is to explain what and where the numbers are, and what they are for ... so the public understands."
Fejeran noted that the county website is "severely outdated."
On another question, both candidates made a commitment to keep the Department of Licensing in Colfax open more consistently.
"Folks at that office need to be credentialed," Jamison said. "I would become credentialed and be the backup."
The last question came: why are you running for office?
"My political ideology was very shaped by the 2016 election..." Fejeran said, in part. "Change happens from the bottom up."
Jamison followed.
"I've lived in Whitman County for 27 years, I have loved living down here," she said. "I'm ready to give back. I know that sounds corny, but it is true."
In her closing statement she noted that the county auditor's office has been doing better recently, passing audits the last two years. She credited the work of current auditor Eunice Coker on this. The county had failed audits for 12 consecutive years before 2016.
"My word is who I am," Jamison concluded. "... I would make that auditor's office a positive experience for the taxpayers."
Fejeran made his closing.
"It is a crazy political time... I hope to regain for people, to bring trust back to their institutions," he said in part of his statement. "I look forward to the next 19 days of the campaign."
COUNTY COMMISSIONER, DISTRICT THREE
Michael Largent, the 12-year incumbent, and challenger John-Mark Mahnkey took their seats at the front table and the LOWV called on Largent first for opening statements.
"Welcome to continuing coverage of ESPN's College GameDay" said the challenger Mahnkey, complimenting Largent's "silver tongue" and what campaigning against him has been like.
"I don't even want to call you an opponent," Mahnkey said.
The first question was about bringing tourism into Whitman County.
Mahnkey talked about more bicyclists, or "wallets on wheels," quoting a member of the Pullman Chamber of Commerce/Palouse Scenic Byway office.
"As far as a tourist vision, the county doesn't have one," said Largent, further explaining that the idea is to attract people that like to come here.
The next question was about Whitman County's poverty ratio compared to the rest of state of Washington.
"Most of what the county does is as agents of the state," Largent said, as part of his answer. "Fortunately, Whitman County is not as challenged as, say, the City of Seattle."
Mahnkey noted that the more people you have the more chance you have of people in poverty.
"I'm not certain what the county can do... (other than) to support what is already out there..." he said.
Next: how would you work to bring more economic development to Whitman County?
"I have a marketing background," Mahnkey said. "I would like to market the assets the county has... a place where employees will be happy to live."
Largent followed.
"The Port of Whitman County is specifically charged with this," he said, naming things the Port has done on economic development, such as "the fiber-optic backbone from Spokane to Lewiston."
The next question was about improving healthcare, specifically behavioral health.
"We need to somehow keep our jail from being Whitman County's number one health provider," said Largent.
The next question came: what are the top three issues in the county and their solutions?
It was Mahnkey's turn to answer first, talking about making sure county commissioners are available in full-time hours, then noting transparency, accountability and putting numbers on the county website.
Largent then spoke, after the repeated question about the top three issues in the county.
"It has been, and will continue, and will be long after I'm gone, to be the issue of fiscal sustainability," said Largent, to begin.
The next subject was the proposed Colfax-Albion-Pullman railbed trail.
"At this point in time, this is a question for the state legislature," Largent said.
"You have to work with landowners," said Mahnkey, as part of his response. "I'm sure we can come together and figure that out."
A question followed on the safety of county employees.
Largent, in his answer, noted that bulletproof glass was just installed in the prosecutor's office last week.
On another question about how to deal with contentious issues, he continued.
"I've learned to pray," Largent said. "Whitman County is a family ... mutual respect between elected officials and (department heads) has improved... sometimes I've lost my temper, haven't I, Brett?" he said, alluding to Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers in the audience.
Mahnkey answered in part, noting that, "Mary Dye said neither of us have common sense because we both ride motorcycles."
To another question, Mahnkey referred to his experience running retail stores and radio stations.
The candidates were asked about their biggest contributors.
Mahnkey asked if that meant financial or otherwise.
As written, came the clarification from the LOWV representative.
Mahnkey talked about his wife and his mother, then named a few financial contributors from Uniontown to Oakesdale.
"He's even a Republican," he said of one supporter.
"I've dipped into my retirement to finance a lot of my campaign," Mahnkey said.
Largent answered that a lot of his support and funding comes from a small group of people.
"My campaign manager is 12," he said, referring to son, John, a sixth-grader at Jennings Elementary School, sitting in the audience.
Closing statements were next.
In Mahnkey's, he returned to the earlier question about the top three things facing the county, and mentioned an app used by the city of Lakewood, Wash., to improve how county information is shared with the public. He talked about a two-way portal system for sending and receiving.
He then thanked the gathered public and candidates for taking the time to attend.
"I would very much appreciate your vote in November," he said.
Largent followed with his closing.
"I have been frustrated with the lack of grace in our politics," he said, in part. "This is not a partisan position... My father used to say it is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness... I'd like to continue to light a single candle."
RESULTS SO FAR
In the Aug. 7 primary, Largent totaled 2,793 votes for 54.8 percent while Mahnkey had 2,297 votes for 45.13 percent.
In the auditor's race, Jamison prevailed in the primary with 5,687 votes for 57.77 percent while Fejeran had 4,158 votes for 43.23 percent.
For treasurer, in the primary, Nelson edged Clinton 3,667 votes to 3,623 – 50.3 percent to 49.7 percent.
Election day is Nov. 6.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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