Adams County Commissioner District No. 1 candidates: Incumbent John N. Marshall

John Neal Marshall

Age: 66

Education: High school graduate

Profession: Adams County Commissioner, Owner of Landcraft Repair

Spouse: Janis

Children: Jeffrey, Amanda, Jessica

After four years of dedication to the Adams County Commissioner District No. 1 position, John Marshall is seeking re-election to continue to serve the residents of the county. Marshall originally filed for re-election and was unopposed, until write-in votes cast John Hunt as his opponent during the Nov. 8 General Election.

Marshall remains focused on expanding opportunities for residents through the expansion of jobs and continued growth within the county.

His long-term goals if re-elected include making economics his top priority, not only for the addition of new businesses, but the expansion of agriculture in the county. Adams County residents have watched the substantial and continuous growth in Othello, and Marshall said if residents look closely, they will notice Ritzville is growing too.

Marshall said the interests and concerns of residents, law and justice, and the supply of potable water are three principal focuses of the county commissioners. He added keeping Othello and Ritzville respectful of one another and tied together is a task he wants to continue to facilitate within the communities.

During his four years as commissioner, Marshall said the commissioners are charged with responsibilities from the state, including public welfare, and health and counseling. These remain as priority items for the commissioners, and Marshall said they work to improve resources for area residents.

A personal goal and passion for Marshall has been working on water problems in Adams County. His experience with water issues began during his role as a Ritzville City Councilmember, and he has continued to expand his knowledge on water rights and options in order to secure a positive and viable future for residents.

Marshall said fellow commissioner Roger Hartwig and Marshall worked together to secure $28 million of funding to expand the canal in Othello. He has continuously spoken with members of Congress to encourage the federal government to assist with the issue.

The cost and high interest loans to farmers could be detrimental to the farming community within the county in the future without access to water, Marshall said.

Another potential option for the county to consider is to increase access to water by utilizing surface water for more than just irrigation, and tapping into the canal water, Marshall added.

Marshall said his passion for the issue continues to drive him to work with the Columbia River Committee, Eastern Council of Government Committee and the Columbia River Treaty committee in an effort to find solutions.

The skills and knowledge Marshall gained over the past four years prompted him to seek re-election. He has learned the workings of the office and built partnerships with agencies and departments to work towards providing a positive future for the county.

Marshall’s personal qualifications for the position include his last four years as a commissioner, as well as his two terms on Ritzville City Council.

City and county government have multiple similarities, Marshall said, and he said he has always encouraged others to become involved in both in order to play a role in community decisions.

Marshall said being a leader and a person dedicated to service has been a main motivator for running for the position initially, and he wants to continue to serve the residents of the county.

He said the commissioners agreeing to directly oversee the Economic Development and Building and Planning Department shows their level of commitment to county improvement and their personal investment in the communities.

Among the programs offered through the county, Marshall said the juvenile department has a daunting task as they work to address juvenile issues and attempt to reduce the amount of crimes committed by resident youth.

Marshall said the majority of programs assist juveniles after an incident occurs, but Marshall stated a parenting and juvenile combination class might be more effective. Juvenile problems exist across socioeconomic categories, but family is the most important factor.

Adams County joined a collaborative effort with other counties for the establishment and maintenance of the Martin Hall juvenile facility. Marshall stated the facilities bond has now been paid, and juvenile efforts continue to assist the offenders in the facility.

Looking towards the future, Marshall said his first priorities if re-elected revolve around the water issues and economic development.

Without either of those areas succeeding, the county risks becoming less attractive to new businesses and residents, and could not longer be a viable option for relocation, Marshall said.

Marshall explained other counties have an administrator who assists with the day-to-day functions of the office, but with the commissioners being charged with multiple responsibilities, sometimes progress can be slow.

Marshall stated while residents might not see the efforts in terms of structures or physical expansion, the commissioners must complete organizational tasks while also focusing on the safety of employees and citizens in the county.

Money is the most crucial element in funding programs and departments, and Marshall said as a commissioner they are responsible for monitoring the carryover and reserve money for the county.

Unlike personal investments, the county does not keep six months of reserves because it is not economical or possible in the high volume environment. Marshall said each individual fund has reserve monies dedicated to the specific department, and the commissioners monitor the accounts to ensure the county remains within it’s budget.

One matter of budgeting discussion has revolved around the jail and the issues with the aging facilities. Marshall said former Sheriff Hunt had a study done at the facility and there were two main items discussed from the study.

Marshall said the study showed the facility had been well maintained throughout the years, but it proved to be outdated and the needs had to be addressed in a timely manner. Marshall added the plan continues to be campaigning in the communities to run a bond, but currently, the citizens have not made the jail priority.

The county works with various institutions for incarcerations, Marshall said. These partnerships tend to save the county money by allowing inmates to be housed in a suitable facility, while protecting the safety of the citizens, inmates and staff in Adams County facilities.

As the county continues to focus on growth, Marshall said his focus is to continue working with city organizations and chamber of commerce’s to create a unified vision for the future. Through the Adams County Development Council and the Economic Development department, Marshall said the county has made strides in the right direction for a prosperous future.

Since the reconstruction of the Economic Development department, Marshall said the county has been able to move forward quickly and address questions from interested businesses in a professional and timely manner. The department has become more diligent under the instruction of the commissioners, and Marshall said it has been instrumental in developing a list of land available for developers.

Marshall said the county is currently moving forward with a study for a wastewater treatment plant in cooperation with the Port of Othello. Marshall said this is one of the first instances where the county has worked with another agency, and the concentrated effort will be a large benefit to the community.

In terms of weaknesses in the county, Marshall said he does not believe there are any, but he is cognizant of the areas where improvements could be made. The areas he is passionate about continuing to improve are law and justice, transportation, water and creating a healthy place for people to live.

Marshall said the county should have a facilities master plan, and they are currently working on a facet of the plan. The county is focusing on individual facilities and their needs, and Marshall said it is a step in the right direction for the county.

The county currently has short term plans for the facilities, but Marshall said the long-term goals need to be taken into consideration. While the master plan has not been established, Marshall intends to keep working towards the goal of its completion over the course of the next four years.

One of the largest challenges as a commissioner for Marshall has been creating a balanced budget while trying to ensure each department has adequate funding. He said personally, he would like to provide more money to every department, but he knows it is not practical or fiscally responsible.

If re-elected, Marshall said the priority is to ensure Adams County is a viable option for long-term employment for individuals. Marshall said the county and communities need to work together to ensure there are the proper amenities for residents and competitive wages.

Marshall stated as a member of the Ritzville community and an active citizen in the county, he wants to continue to provide success and stability to his fellow residents. He encourages all citizens to cast their vote in the Nov. 8 General Election in order for them to take the first step in having a voice in the county.