Candidates prepare for primaryBallots on their way Friday

Candidates for Wahkiakum County commissioner are making final plans for their efforts leading to this year's primary election.

Because the primary has been advanced from the third Tuesday in September to the third Tuesday in August, August 19 this year, the county's ballots for the vote by mail election will go to voters in Commissioner District 1 this weekend.

Also, the state has changed to a top-two primary in which the two candidates with the highest vote tallies in the primary advance to the general election.

That affects the race in Commissioner District 1, which has three candidates. They are Democrats Lisa Marsyla and Bill Coons and Republican Wally Wright.

Commissioner District 2 has just two candidates, Independent Dan Cothren, the incumbent, and Democrat Wayne Flohr.

The Eagle talked with the District 1 candidates this week; following is a recap of what the candidates had to say.

What's your professional and community service background?

Lisa Marsyla runs her own accounting business. She has also been auditor of Wahkiakum PUD and worked in a variety of businesses as an accountant. She was a founder of Wahkiakum Dollars for Scholars and participates in the county historical society and Friends of Skamokawa.

Bill Coons worked as sales and service manager for StrataCom, a digital communications firm that was acquired by Cisco Corp. He negotiated contracts and directed installation of computer routing systems. He moved to Puget Island in 1993 and joined the Puget Island Fire Department. He now works as a Realtor and is president of the county fair board and also serves on the WSU Horizons program, and the board of the county historical society. He is also active in the Democrat Party, Pioneer Church Association, Friends of Skamokawa, and has worked three years in the Bald Eagle Festival.

Wright graduated from Wahkiakum High School, became a teacher and returned to Cathlamet in the 1970's. He left teaching in the 1980's to work in his family's hardware store. He joined the Cathlamet Fire Department at age 16 and has been a fireman and emergency medical technician since; he is now the department's captain. He was appointed to a vacancy on the Cathlamet Town Council a few years ago and still serves on that board.

Why are you running for office?

Marsyla: I believe I have an asset, the financial background, that can help the county, and I'm willing to share. I've always been interested in county government--my father was a commissioner, and I worked on the campaign of former Commissioner Mark Doumit.

Coons: I've been interested in local politics ever since I moved here. I immediately felt like this was my home and I've become more and more involved in the community. I finally decided, if not now, when? We'll see if public service is something the people want me to do.

Wright: Frustration with 'the sky is falling' mentality and having things happen that should have been on the radar have led me to run. We need better management.

What are your three main issues?

Marsyla: 1. The county budget shortfall has no silver bullet to resolve the shortfall for 2008. We need further review of spending, and if elected, I would look deeply into the budget and make sure we're making good financial decisions. I would be fairly conservative in spending; I want to make sure we get the service we pay for. 2. The Wahkiakum Family Practice Clinic is an integral part of the community and needs to be self-sustaining. I want to make sure that can happen. 3. The procedure for siting the Bradwood Landing liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant is something in which we don't have a vote. I've suggested that Bradwood Landing assist with funding the clinic, and they've said they might be able to provide some assistance.

Coons: 1. The county's financial situation needs a "balanced" approach, cuts plus revenue enhancements. We need to find out if the DNR can advance the harvest so we can have some extra revenue next year, or is that mortgaging the county's future? This constant crisis mode is tearing the county apart. 2. I personally don't want to see Bradwood Landing built, but as a county commissioner, I would have zero say in that. We need to address the potential impacts to the community, our safety and security, use of the river, and impacts on the economy and real estate. I was the first to ask the board to seek intervenor status and to get stuff in writing. 3. Our property assessments need attention. High appraisals cause us to pay more tax than we should. I would like to contract out for appraisal service.

Wright: 1. We have to figure out a way to maintain the clinic. If it were to close, we could lose 100 jobs, 25 at the clinic and 76 at the nursing home. Then there would be the domino effect--the assisted living center would be in trouble; then the pharmacy; then the family based care centers would fail. Our entire way of life would be affected. As for the county's financial trouble, I'm tired of knee jerk reactions. There should be foresight in predicting budget revenues and difficulties. In my numerous years in the fire department, I've learned that you have to anticipate what a fire will do, or else it will go all over. We need to push the DNR for more sales. 3. I think a management combination of the clinic and health department is in order. They provide related services.

What's your vision of the future for the county?

Marsyla: Our county is in a good position, but we have little left in reserves. I'd like to see government get as efficient as it can be and still continue to offer the services we have to provide.

Coons: We have a lot of assets, forests, farms, the river, and fish that bring people here. They are creating small, home-based businesses, and that's what we should build on.

Wright: We need to invest in our county so we can get the benefit of our natural resources. I'd like to see a fish processing plant, value added farm products, and an alder mill.