October 25, 2007

General election features many local candidates

The Adams County Auditor’s Office mailed the general election ballots last week. Voters in Eastern Adams County face five contested races, from fire district to school board as well as statewide measures.

Two write-in candidates are vying for positions on the East Adams Rural Hospital District No. 2 board. To vote for a write-in candidate, write the candidate’s name on the blank in the appropriate race AND fill in the circle next to the blank.

All Adams County residents vote by absentee ballot, which must be returned/postmarked no later than the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

East Adams Rural Hospital District No. 2

• Chris R. Cook, two-year term, commissioner-at-large

Occupation: Administrative assistant at Adams County Public Works.

Education: Colfax High School 1973, attended Eastern Washington University.

Background: Married Gary Cook 33 years ago, and the couple have four children and four grandchildren. Involved in Beta Sigma Phi for about 20 years, president of a city-wide council group in Colfax, active in the Emanuel Lutheran Church as a council member and call committee member to pick the current pastor, and was involved with her children in 4-H, FFA and sporting activities.

Elected experience: Elected November 2005.

Top priority: “My priority is the best health care we can provide… Whether we build or don’t build isn’t as important as what our mission is… We also have to be mindful of the legislature and all the changing going on.”

Goal: “My goals are that the services we deliver are timely, accurate, professional and compassionate. I want to see us update equipment on a timely basis and maintain a smooth operation; add more services for our community to meet their needs.”

• Joyce Preston, two-year, commissioner-at-large

Occupation: office manager/administrator and library aide.

Education: Ritzville High School 1965.

Background: More than 30 years in the health industry managing and establishing dental, operating room and physical therapy offices; served on numerous boards and volunteered for several organizations. She and her husband, Jim, were married in 1968 and spent 30 years as a Coast Guard family. They have two children, and they moved back to Ritzville in 1997.

Elected experience: This is Preston’s first foray into running for public office.

Top priority: “Making changes to better the service of our healthcare and to make changes that enable everyone to receive healthcare by compassionate and caring employees. The medical facility is a secondary challenge.”

Goal: “To serve all the people, including the aging. One of my big concerns is our aging population. I want to make sure they are receiving the services they need.”

• Chuck McCormick, four-year, commissioner-at-large

Occupation: Retired. McCormick spent 40 years as a successful service station owner in Ritzville, receiving the top awards from Chevron and Unocal during that time.

Education: He served in the U. S. Army for two years in 1956, stationed in Germany.

Background: McCormick has dedicated 25 years as a volunteer fireman and a member of the Washington Tow Truck Association for 18 years, receiving the Tow Truck Operator of the Year Award for Washington state. He was the first president of the association from Eastern Washington and has been a board member for 12 years. Served as ambulance attendant (in beginning) and about 18 years, received Dr. Charles G. Smick Honorary Award in 2001.

Elected experience: McCormick was first elected to the hospital board in 1992 and served for six years. After two years, he was reelected for a four-year term.

Top priority: “My top priority is quality healthcare and patient safety.”

Goal: McCormick said his goal is to update the facility “one way or another.”

• Nancy T. Miller, four-year, commissioner-at-large

Occupation: Washtucna School District nurse since 1983 and clinic nurse at the Washtucna Clinic, which she would have to give up if elected.

“Washtucna is my baby,” she said. “I opened that clinic… I set that clinic up nursing wise.” She also started and set up the Lind Clinic about 17-18 years ago.

Education: Camas High School in 1973, Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Washington State University in 1977, school nurse certification in 1983 from WSU.

Background: Miller is an active member of PEO (Philanthropic Education Organization), Girl Scouts and the Washtucna Community Church.

She and her husband, Grant, were married in 1982, and have three children.

Elected experience: This is Miller’s first try for an elected position.

Top priority: “To get the hospital district to be able to continue providing the quality of healthcare we have and ensuring that for the future. And have management that would be able to lead the hospital district with efficiency and organization.

“I am also an advocate for the medical staff and the staff at the clinic. We need to provide medical healthcare that is efficient and high quality.

“We need more nurses, more worker bees,” she said, to provide efficient, quality care.

“Management and leadership that would recognize that they need more staff that can provide that communication, that level of service of healthcare delivery that people expect.

“Yes, you need to be looking at structures, but you have to have the interior functioning first.”

Goal: “My goal would be to have the clinic functioning efficiently and providing high quality medical service to the district, and have some future plans for a new facility, however that is.”

• Kirk D. Danekas, two-year, Commissioner District No. 1

Occupation: Funeral director.

Education: Ritzville High School 1964, attended Columbia Basin College for two years, enlisted in the U.S. Air Force for four years including a tour in Vietnam, graduated from mortuary school after two years at Gresham, Ore., worked for three years in Aberdeen, worked in Davenport and Ritzville for two years before moving to Ritzville in 1975 and joined family business.

Background: Member of Ritzville Lions Club, Ritzville Masonic Lodge, El Katif Shrine, on the Washington State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers, chamber of commerce, public announcer at Ritzville High School events.

Elected experience: Appointed in April 2006. Served three terms as mayor, two terms on school board.

Top priority: “The overall healthcare of the East Adams Rural Hospital district. I think we need to look at what we can do to improve on that, maybe add additional services… We need to look at what the people want.”

Goal: “I’d like to maintain the same quality of service we’ve been able to provide. I’d like to provide more services and get more people to use the facilities.”

• Jerry Crossler, short- and six-year, Commissioner District No. 2

Occupation: Retired from assessment business of 20 years in Adams and King Counties.

Education: Yakima High School 1958. Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from WSU 1963.

Background: Ritzville Jaycees, Lions Club, chamber member. Bought Whisperin’ Palms from father in 1971, who bought it in 1963.

Elected experience: Appointed March 2006. Elected for three terms as Adams County Assessor and worked for the King County Assessor.

Top priority: “As with all commissioners, the health of the hospital district, the people in the hospital district, providing the best possible care we can achieve.”

Goal: “To make sure that in the next 10-20 years we’ve got a facility that is adequate to serve the people of the district… I think I’ve always been pretty much for the remodel.”

• Kerry Tyler, short- and six-year, Commissioner District No. 2

Occupation: Front desk clerk

Education: Ritzville High School 1987, nurse’s aid certified.

Background: He’s worked in the hospital district for about 10 years as an EMT, x-ray technician or nurse’s aid certified as well as at Life Care Center as a NAC. He’s also served as president of the Ritzville EMT Association and involved with Little League at every level. His three children are enrolled in the Ritzville School District.

Elected experience: This is Tyler’s first run for an elected position.

Top priority: “To make sure the people of the district are involved in the decisions that are made for the district. If a new hospital is needed, it should be voted on and approved by the district. All the people of the district should have a say.”

Goal: “To bring harmony back to the district so that people that haven’t been coming up to the clinic or hospital will go and the people that are upset, try to give them new hope that they can go up there and trust our doctors, medical facility and staff.”

Lind Town Council

• D. J. Williamson, two-year unexpired term, Position No. 3

Occupation: Employed by the Adams County Public Works Department, Lind maintenance shop

Education: Lind High School 1998.

Background: He and his wife, Breanne (Davis), were married in 2002 and have an 18-month-old son. D. J. is the shop steward at work and currently serves as vice-president of the Lind Fire Department.

Elected experience: Appointed in October 2006.

Top priority: Last year, Williamson’s priority was paying close attention to the construction projects. That focus has shifted in his first year.

“Now it’s being a person for the community, to take things to council for the community.”

Goal: “My goal is to try to keep the rates down, do what we can to keep things reasonable and keep relaying the communities’ concerns to council.”

• Amy Wills, four-year, Position No. 4

Occupation: Office manager for a doctor’s office in the Tri-Cities.

Education: Deer Park High school 1995; AAS degree from Spokane Community College in 1998 for medical office management.

Background: Wills worked for Cardiovascular Associates after graduating from SCC and moved into administration in 2002 as the office manager. She now works as office manager for one of those doctors. She spent a year as the legal administrative assistant in the Adams County Prosecutor’s Office, and she’s served as a Sunday school teacher.

Elected experience: This is her first elected position, filling Rena Wahl’s seat.

Top priority: She decided to run for public office because Lind doesn’t have many young members active in the community. Wills was also interested in getting involved in the Adams County Development Council, which she was appointed to earlier this year.

“One of my passions around town is to create some housing standard.” She said by cleaning up houses suitable for occupancy and doing something about the ones that aren’t, the town may be more attractive.

Goal: Her goal is to spend a lot of time the first year observing how local government works, getting a feeling of how the business of running a town is done.

City of Ritzville

• Darrel S. Koss, four-year term, Ward No. 1

Occupation: Garbage collection and disposal.

Education: Attended Yakima Valley Junior College.

Background: Spent five years as a television cameraman before taking over the family garbage collection and disposal business in 1958 and started contracting those services with cities. He sold out the business in 1968 and worked for General Disposal in Seattle until about seven years ago, when he retired and moved to Ritzville with his wife of 37 years, Diane. Then he and his son, Rick, started Wheatland Waste Systems.

Koss has volunteered in chambers of commerce and Jaycees in Bellevue, Lewiston and now Ritzville, and was especially active in the downtown revitalization efforts in Lewiston.

Elected experience: This is Koss’s first elected position, filling Bill Markum’s seat. Although he hasn’t served in an elected position, Koss has dealt with city governments since 1958 when the family business started contracting its services to municipalities.

Top priority: The city’s water and sewer systems are Koss’s top concern. “This has to be solved and it has to be solved fast,” he said.

“The two most important things right now are trying to pull people off the highways to downtown and putting restrooms downtown,” he continued. He explained that he doesn’t think the city should build the restrooms, but it could lend support through 110 funds and donated land.

Goal: His goal is to see future development on Weber Road, to figure out a way to get new lines out there.

• Barney Streeter, short- and four-year, Ward No. 2

Occupation: Retired from sewage treatment plant in Georgia and apartment complex manager.

Education: Ritzville High School 1941, U. S. Army almost three years in North Africa and Italy (24 months in combat/front lines).

Background: Veterans’ organizations. Two daughters, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Elected experience: Ran for city council in Ward No. 1 years ago, and will fill Dee Macias’s seat for this term.

Top priority: “I went down to the courthouse to change my ward, and I noticed no one had registered for my ward. I have priorities, but I don’t want to say until I get in there.”

Goal: “I want to be in there and see if I can help things along. There are a lot of things that need to be done.”

• Gary Cook, four-year, Ward No. 4

Occupation: Soil conservationist for USDA.

Education: Colfax High School 1970, attended Central Washington University, U.S. Air Force for three years as air traffic controller, National Guard reserve for seven years.

Background: Married for 33 years. Farmed for 18 years at Dusty. He and his wife were in the restaurant business for six years. Gary started working for the USDA in 1991 at the Othello office, and moved to Ritzville 11 years ago.

Elected experience: Elected November 2005.

Top priority: The hot button is the infrastructure for the utilities. The sewer plant, specifically cell No. 3, is a priority and can’t be ignored.

“I would also like to see all the organizations in town find a common ground to be able to fix the community’s problems and do some good through cooperation.”

Goal: “To be the right kind of support to a new mayor as a member of the council so that during these four years the quality of the town goes up, to stop the backward slide and get better.”

• Kelly Olson, two-year, At Large

Occupation: Dryland wheat farmer.

Education: Ritzville High School 1976, Associate of Arts degree in automotive sales from Spokane Community College.

Background: Olson and his wife, Lori, have three sons.

Elected experience: Served since November 2003. Currently serves a s mayor pro-tem and is a member of the finance committee, golf committee and license, rules and permits committee.

Top priority: “Controlling expenses. And, I want to hang around and make sure the new mayor, whomever that is, has a smooth transition.”

Goal: “To fix the sewer because we only had 25 percent more capacity then we needed when it was built and now one of the cells is down and we’re at our max.”

• Linda Kadlec, four-year, Mayor

Occupation: Owner of Linda’s Hair Salon. Purchased the business 18 years ago from Dorothy Eckhardt. She also works part-time for Killian’s Creamery.

Education: Richland High School 1962, Supreme Beauty School 1963.

Background: Served on city council since 1997. A resident of Ritzville for 43 years. Married to her husband, Tom, for 43 years. The couple has two children.

Elected experience: Served as a member of the Ritzville City Council for 14 years.

Top priority: “Creating a business friendly community through improved infrastructure.” Kadlec also listed healthcare and education as top priorities.

Goal: “Leading the citizens of Ritzville into meeting its future challenges and growth opportunities. I will be seeking input from the community and listening to the citizens’ needs and concerns.”

• Harry Schafer, four-year, Mayor

Occupation: Semi-retired. Currently employed as the project manager of the Pacific Northwest Undercutter Project for the Washington Association of Wheat Growers.

Education: 1957 Ritzville High School graduate; 1961 bachelors degree in chemistry with minors in physics and math from Central Washington College of Education; attended the University of Washington grad school for chemistry where he obtained a teaching certificate.

Background: Lived in or near the city of Ritzville for all but four years of his life. Has lived within the city limits for the past 12 years. He and his wife Kathryn have four children and nine grandchildren.

Elected experience: Schafer has never held a public position as an elected official. He has volunteered in Ritzville and has served local civic organizations including the Ritzville Community Theatre and Jaycees.

Top priority: Schafer lists three priorities, noting that the city sewer and water systems and economic development are high on his list.

Goal: “Improvement of city infrastructure to support improved economic possibilities for Ritzville.”

Washtucna Town Council

• Brian K. Hille, short- and four-year term, Position No. 1

Occupation: Technology director/custodian at Washtucna School District.

Education: Washtucna High School 1990, SCC welding/fabrication, advanced first aid, 1992 EMT course

Background: EMT more than eight years, volunteer firemen since 1991, community float committee member.

Elected experience: Appointed September 2007, filling the seat vacated by Davida Hille.

Top priority: “Since I am a very active community member, I thought it would be in my best interest to be involved in my community more.”

Goal: “To see that the community is a little more clean and have a lot more communication with community members. Honestly I want the community to look better and present itself better.”

• Cindi Lepper, four-year, Position No. 2

Occupation: Recycling and waste reduction coordinator for Whitman County.

Education: San Gorgoniao High School, Calif., 1978, 1982 graduate of United Health Careers Institute (College of Loma Linda University) Dental Hygiene Program.

Background: Founding member of BARC (Benevolent Animal Rescue Committee) Animal Shelter in San Bernardino, Calif., in 1986, founding member of Ritzville Pet Rescue, member and current president of Theta Parents Club, PEO member, Washtucna School Board, Washtucna Secret Sisters, Washington State Recycling Association Recycler of the Year 2007. She and her husband, Paul, have two children.

Elected experience: Appointed September 2005, elected November 2005.

Top priority: Promote growth within the community by increasing housing availability and business development.

Goal: By 2010, I would love to see the Town of Washtucna increase its population by 10 percent, collect and market our own recyclables and reduce garbage by 20 percent… The town has recently annexed land and is prepared to support a small housing development.

“I would also like to contract a code enforcement/traffic control officer to discourage residents that break the laws and provide a safe environment for our children.”

• Sydney Sullivan, four-year, Mayor

Occupation: Retired from family-owned fertilizer and chemical business.

Education: Washtucna High School 1948.

Background: Washtucna-Benge Lions Club, Washtucna Community Church, active community member, ACEDC for more than 20 years, SWAC

Elected experience: Elected 2003 after serving four previous terms. 1970-1992, 2003

Top priority: “Right now is getting all of our new meters in place and getting our lagoons lined and sprinkler system installed so we can go onto something else.”

Goal: “I would like to see the town grow to maybe 500 or 600 people, but it’s gong to take some doing to do that, to work toward that goal.”

Washtucna School District

• Melinda Kay McKeen, four-year term, Position No. 3

Occupation: Park ranger, Columbia Plateau Trail.

Education: Ritzville High School 1991, medical secretary/medical assistant Spokane Community College 1993, natural resources for parks and recreation degree at SCC 2002, fish and wildlife degree from SCC 2002, associate in arts degree from SCC 2003, parks law enforcement academy at Skagit Valley College 2005.

Background: Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, volunteered for state park, volunteer at various craft fairs.

Elected experience: First elected position.

Top priority: To understand how decisions are made and provide input for that process.

Goal: “Honestly, I have no clue. It’s going to be one of those new experiences. I’ll learn as I go.”

Benge School District

• Al Jones, four-year term, Position No. 1

Occupation: Dryland wheat farmer and cattle rancher.

Education: Cascade High School in Everett 1971, diesel mechanic training.

Background: Washtucna-Benge Lions Club, fire department, Benge Community Church.

Elected experience: Appointed and then elected in 2001 after serving terms in the 1980s.

Top priority: “Keeping the school open is one. Providing excellent education for the kids that are there.

Goal: “To keep the doors open. The people here want to keep the school going and open as long as we can.”

• Bryce Ault, four-year, Position No. 3

Occupation: Retired educator.

Education: Shadle Park High School 1962, Bachelor of Arts degree in English from WSU 1966, master’s degree from Gonzaga University 1992.

Background: Washtucna-Benge Lions Club.

Elected experience: Appointed 1986.

Top priority: Getting the best education for the students.

• James Whitman, four-year, Position No. 4

Occupation: Account representative for Connell Oil.

Education: WHS 1970, CBC, EWU BS in biology and BA in education 1974

Background: Benge Fire chief, Washtucna-Benge Lions Club, volunteer fireman, taught 1974-1984 at Shadle Park, 84-2005 dryland farmer. Married Linda in 1971, two children, three grandchildren.

Elected experience: Appointed 1985.

Top priority: work hard to keep a viable school district in Benge.

Goal: “To have more kids in the school dist. We try to make sure the school can offer something that others can’t.”

Lind School District

• Annie Trunkle Smart, four-year term, Position No. 1

Occupation: Nutrition educator, metal sculptor.

Education: Great Falls High School, Mont., 1978, Bachelor of Arts degree in agronomy from Montana State University 1983, post graduate work in religious studies.

Background: Youth group leader for 10 years in Lind, Big Bend Caring Neighbors board member.

Elected experience: Elected 1999.

Top priority: “What’s best for the kids. Keep the budget within budget, always try to do what’s right for our kids, and try to be the finest educators around.”

Goal: “To keep our district, teachers, students happy. To make sure students are ready for their future with every tool we can provide.”

• Blake Bennett, four-year, Position No. 2

Occupation: Business owner-potato packing facility

Education: Camas County HS, Fairfield Idaho, 1987, grad EWU 1991 BS Business Management

Background: Janet almost 18 years, Andrea 14, Jenna, 10. President of Lind Lions Club, treasurer Odessa Men’s League, Lind Gun Club member.

Elected experience: Elected 2003. Only elected position

Top priority: “I tend to concentrate more on the financial ends of the school district. I’m a numbers person. I always try to make sure we remain financially viable.”

Goal: “To make sure we are a school district that caters to all levels of students. To prepare students for their next phase of life.”

• Beverly Kulm, four-year, Position No. 4

Occupation: Stay-at-home mom.

Education: Ritzville High School 1976, Bachelor of Arts degree in secondary education and vocational certificate in home economics from Central Washington University 1981.

Background: She and her husband, Darrel, have three children in the Lind School District. Bev is the elementary Sunday school superintendent for Menno Mennonite Church, is involved in Project ’56 as a Lind liaison, Bronc Booster member, 4-H leader, Lind FFA volunteer and volunteer in elementary and junior/senior high.

Elected experience: Elected 1999.

Top priority: “My top priority as a school board member remains our district’s number one goal: Doing what is best for our students with the resources that are available to us.”

Goal: “With the current requirements of the Certificate of Academic Achievement, my goal is to ensure that our students meet and/or exceed these requirements and leave Lind High School with a diploma firmly in hand, prepared to enter college or the work force with confidence.”

Ritzville School District

• Lori Olson, four-year term, District No. 2

Occupation: Educator.

Education: Ritzville High School 1979, Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Communication Disorders Eastern Washington University 1983.

Background: Bronc Boosters, Zion-Philadelphia Congregational Church, Beta Sigma Phi, WSU Extension 4-H leader, Ritzville Classic Car Club, various committees at school; taught 10 years in Ritzville, one and a half at Lind and daycare/preschool for eight years

Elected experience: This is Olson’s first time running for public office.

Top priority: Topping Olson’s list of priorities is exploring the opportunities available to all students, whether they are excelling or struggling to keep up.

Goal: “When in leadership roles, there’s always someone not completely satisfied. I want to do what’s best for all kids or most kids. Part of going to school is learning to get along with others because that’s how it is in the real world.”

• Warren Kragt, four-year, District No. 2

Occupation: Chiropractor.

Education: Palmer College of Chiropractic, Sept. 28, 1984.

Background: Ritzville Area Chamber of Commerce board member and lifetime member, past president and zone chairman of Ritzville Lions Club, president and council member of Emanuel Lutheran Church, past president, moderator and council member of Zion-Philadelphia Congregational Church, Little League umpire, campaign manager for Mark Schoesler.

Elected experience: Appointed in 2006.

Top priority: “Overall, to have the best education for our kids at the school district, for our school to function in an efficient, fiscally financial positive standpoint with all teachers and administration/school board working as one.”

Goal: “Provide the best educations our kids deserve along with making sure the board, administrators, teachers and paraeducators are working together. Then we can continue working on the strategic working plan.”

• Shannon Flynn, four-year, District No. 4

Occupation: Associate director of financial aid and scholarships EWU, starting in that office December 1994.

Education: Colville High School 1988, an associate of arts degree from SFCC and a human resources and management from EWU in 1999 while working in the office.

Background: Bronc Boosters, Ritzville School District Learning Improvement Team, Blues Fest volunteer, youth group leader, active church members. She and her husband, Stacy, have two children in the school district.

Elected experience: First elected position, filling Patrick Kennedy’s seat.

Top priority: “Being in higher education for 13 years I can bring a different perspective to the district. I want to bring that broadened perspective to the school district so we can enhance it. I hope we can further enhance the education of the kids so they can be the best they can be not only as students.

“I have a lot of learning to do, and I’m excited about that challenge.” Plans to attend WASSDA conference in November, even though not a voting member.

Goal: “To look at some of the things, like core offerings, and see if, at all, we might be able to enrich the courses or extracurricular activities for the kids. See how we can enrich the overall education experience for all kids within the existing financial structure.”

Adams County Fire Protection District No. 1 (Ritzville)

• David McCormick, six-year term, Commissioner No. 3

Occupation: Ritzville Police Chief and farmer.

Education: Ritzville High School 1976, Law Enforcement Academy 1987 and more than 2,100 hours of education in the criminal justice field.

Background: Ritzville resident for 48 years, Adams County Fire Protection District No. 1 fireman for 25 years, Ritzville Volunteer Fire Department for 24 years and served as president, vice president, treasurer and board of director member for several years.

Elected experience: Fills Neil Telecky’s seat, who was fire commissioner since 1983. Attends regular business meetings, training and responds to calls for service as volunteer fireman.

Top priority: “For the past few years the district’s resources have been allocated toward the new fire station. That project is in the final stages of completion. The last new brush truck District No. 1 purchased was in 1997. There is a need to move forward with plans for a new brush truck and to upgrade our oldest tanker.”

Goal: “I will make sure communications between the City of Ritzville and the Board of Fire Commissioners remains open, will strive to resolve any differences, keep our mutual aid relationship workable and affordable for both entities.”

Adams County Fire Protection District No. 2 (Lind)

• Emil Sackmann, six-year term, Commissioner No. 2

Occupation: Retired farmer, still living on the farm.

Education: Attended Lind School District.

Background: “I learned my occupation through my dad, he was my teacher. I’m not sorry today that I quit school and started farming.” Former Lind Lions Club member, fire district manager.

Elected experience: He has served as fire commissioner for more than 30 years.

Top priority: “I’m a lifetime member of this community and do what I can. I love the work and I love the men. I know every one of them by name, and that means a lot to me. I am a commissioner, there’re only three of us, and we all get along real well.”

Goal: “The only goal I have is to do the best I can, and if I get in I’ll do it.”

• Ryan Kuch, six-year, Commissioner No. 2

Occupation: Dryland farmer.

Education: Odessa High School 1992, Associate in Arts degree from Spokane Community College 1996.

Background: Lind Lions Club member. While at SCC, had one year in parks and rec, and fought forest fires in Idaho during the summer.

Elected experience: First elected.

Top priority: “I’ve been wanting to do something like this, and I think the opportunity came up. I have a real good rapport with the guys at the station.”

Goal: “The commissioners have done a heck of a job. We have nice trucks, and we’re on the right path for the future. I want to maintain that and see that we’re continuing down that path.”

Adams County Fire Protection District No. 3 (Odessa)

• Bradley A. Greenwalt, six-year term, Commissioner No. 1

Occupation: Dryland farmer.

Education: Odessa High School 1976.

Background: Volunteer fireman, volunteered for Lind Lions Club, Boy Scouts.

Elected experience: Elected 1995, Odessa School Board.

Top priority: “It’s always maintenance of the equipment to provide safety for our farms through good maintenance, keeping the equipment up. Second, using our taxing dollars the best we can… my concern is always making the dollars go the farthest.”

Goal: “I feel it’s a way of contributing back to my community, and also it’s an area that fits my experience, coming from a farm I know what it takes to keep equip running. Through time, it’s our continued goal to keep things up-to-date. The most important thing is those firemen.”

Adams County Fire Protection District No. 4 (McCall/Harder)

• Edward N. Victor, six-year term, Commissioner No. 1

Elected experience: He has served as fire commissioner for more than 30 years.

Adams County Fire Protection District No. 6 (Benge)

• Bruce L. Honn, six-year term, Commissioner No. 2

Occupation: Dryland farmer.

Education: Washtucna High School 1969, Bachelor of Arts degree in business from EWU 1974.

Background: Washtucna Grange board member, Ritzville Warehouse board member, Benge Community Church member.

Elected experience: Appointed and then elected in 1995. School board member about 30 years.

Top priority: “To make sure the people of our district have adequate fire protect one way or another, which is a challenge actually for a district so small with so few people… Half of our firemen work out of town.”

Adams County Park and Recreation District No. 2 (Washtucna)

• Karyn L. Allen, four-year term, Commissioner No. 1

Occupation: Substitute teacher.

Education: Washtucna High School 1977, Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education from EWU 1981.

Background: Lifetime Girl Scout member, Rimrock Grange member and secretary, Washtucna Community Church member and past trustee, Ritzville Little League Association secretary, bookkeeper for family farm, Washtucna Progressive Club, Washtucna Fellowship of Christian Women.

Elected experience: Elected 2003.

Top priority: “For our pool is running smoothly so everyone has a safe environment in which to swim. Making sure we have enough funding to provide for our budget. We have our big wish list, what can we afford above all our maintenance needs and salaries for our staff.”

Goal: “Be able to continue to operate our pool… because it’s so terribly important for kids to have a pool in the summertime. Not only for the kids, but for the entire community. It’s one of the few forms of entertainment we have in the summer. It provides summer jobs for the kids. It’s kindof a meeting ground for young and old alike.”

• Codi Titus, four-year, Commissioner No. 2

Occupation: Business education teacher and academic counselor at LaCrosse High School.

Education: Napavine High School 1979, Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration WSU 1983, Bachelor of Education in Business Education EWU 1996, Masters of Education in Educational Leadership EWU 2005.

Background: Seventh degree member of Ralston Grange, former Secretary of the Washington State Grange, Washtucna Lions Club member.

Elected experience: Elected 2005.

Top priority: To have a safe, fun place for the community of Washtucna available during the summer.

Goal: To maintain the pool in the excellent condition it has been maintained since I have been a member of the community. Also, possible expansion of the benefits we provide to other activities in the community. For example other summer activities, such as a sports camp.

Adams County Park and Recreation District No. 4 (Ritzville)

• Stacy D. Flynn, four-year term, Commissioner No. 4

Occupation: Adams County deputy.

Education: Whitefish High School 1985, associate of arts degree in criminal justice from Spokane Community College 1990, continuing education through Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Air Marshall training.

Background: Bronc Boosters and elected president this year, youth group leader.

Elected experience: First elected position, filling Kiera Buriak’s seat.

Top priority: “To see the continued success of the pool. Everybody has ideas of what they’d like to see, but ideas don’t do much good unless you know how its run.”

Goal: “That’s a better question after pool season 2008. I’m keeping my thoughts and views open.”

• Terry L. Olson, short- and four-year, Commissioner No. 5

Occupation: Field inspector for Adams County Noxious Weed Control Board.

Education: Ritzville High School 1962, attended WSU, enlisted in U.S. Army for two years, associate degree in computer science from Spokane Community College 1969.

Background: Alumni board, Festivals Association, Ritzville Classic Car Club. He and his wife, Ann, have been married for 35 years, and have two children and three grandchildren.

Elected experience: Appointed in 2006 to fill seat vacated by John Bartz, this is Olson’s first elected position.

Top priority: “I was originally asked to fill in for John Bartz… I’m going to get on the board to see if I can be a solution to some of the issues before they get worse.”

Goal: “I want to help make the pool, since that’s our main responsibility, a better place for people to enjoy coming to. I think there might be some more options that the park and rec board could be involved,” he said, including Little League, skate park or other entertainment/activities.

Adams County Cemetery District No. 1 (Washtucna)

• Wayne W. Johnstone, six-year term, Commissioner No. 1

Occupation: Transport driver for Interstate Distributors.

Education: Washtucna High School 1964, U. S. Air Force for almost four years.

Background: Volunteer firefighter in Montana.

Elected experience: First time, filling Ginger McKenzie’s seat.

Top priority: “They need people that want to take care of it. We put in a sprinkler system and cleaned it up. I want to make sure it stays a nice place for people to visit their loved ones.”

Goal: Put some trees around it, partnering with WSU Extension.

• Michael W. Ebert, two-year unexpired, Commissioner No. 2

Occupation: Self-employed dryland wheat farmer.

Education: Reardan High School 1971.

Background: Born and raised in Edwall, bought land in Washtucna and started farming after high school, Washtucna-Benge Lions Club member and president, reserve deputy sheriff for 18 years, active community member.

Elected experience: First filing, filling Mike McKenzie’s seat.

Top priority: “I’m not a political type person. I felt this was something I could do to help the community.”

Goal: “Haven’t looked that far into it. Everybody before me has done the biggest thing, and that was the sprinkler system. Maybe a little more landscaping, just to continue that forward momentum, get trees planted. We’ve got a good head start. Try to get the directory board up-to-date for all the military, the Washtucna pioneers, maybe give a little more history of the people there.”

Adams County Cemetery District No. 3 (Lind)

• Janet Sackmann, six-year term, Commissioner No. 2

Occupation: Retired, paraprofessional substitute at school, school, teach piano, play for church, numerous hobbies.

Education: Warden High School 1954, Associate in Arts degree in accounting, graduating with her daughter-in-law, from Big Bend Community College 1989.

Background: worked for City of Moses Lake in engineering, Adams County Prosecuting Attorney. Married 51 years, two kids, 6 grandchildren. Girl Scout leader, Junior Miss chairman.

Elected experience: Elected in 2003.

Top priority: “I drive by the cemetery and I’m proud of what it is, and I want to keep it that way.”

Goal: Getting a cremation wall installed, dividing plots to offer burial location for burials.