Election 2012

Judge Sullivan seeks re-election

Wahkiakum County Superior Court Judge Mike Sullivan this week announced he will run for re-election.

Sullivan serves both Wahkiakum and Pacific counties. He was appointed to the position in October, 2005, and won election to complete the unfilled term. He subsequently was elected to his first full term in 2008.

Prior to assuming the Superior Court duties, Sullivan served as Pacific County prosecuting attorney and Pacific County North District Court judge. He also taught nine years in the South Bend School District and was superintendent of the Willapa Valley School District for three years.

Sullivan was admitted to the Washington State Bar Association in 1985. He earned his law degree while teaching full-time and commuting four times a week for three years from South Bend to attend the University of Puget Sound School of Law.

Sullivan said his judicial philosophy is the rule of law.

“As your Superior Court judge, I will continue to treat everyone with respect, politeness and equal decision making according to the law and the facts," he said in his announcement.

Lt. governor running again

Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen announced this week that he would be seeking re-election to his fifth term in office.

He was elected as Washington’s 15th lieutenant governor in 1996 and re-elected since then. Prior to his election as lieutenant governor, Owen served as Shelton finance commissioner from 1976-79, as a member of the Washington State House of Representatives from 1976-83, and in the Washington State Senate from 1983-96.

In making his announcement, Owen stated, “I am running for reelection because there is a lot of work that needs to be done to get our state moving again. We need to stimulate our economy and help create family wage jobs."

He said he would also continue his efforts in substance abuse prevention and creating safe environments for children.

Chester challenges Cothren

by Rick Nelson

Cathlamet business owner Joan Harvey Chester has announced she will be a candidate for the District 2 position on the Wahkiakum County Board of Commissioners.

Dan Cothren currently holds the seat.

The daughter of the manager of Weyerhaeuser's Grays River Camp, Harvey attended middle and high school in Cathlamet and graduated from Mark Morris High School in 1969.

She has pursued a varied career. She attended Lower Columbia College and worked as a flight attendant with Braniff International Airlines. Settling in Texas, she owned and operated four successful businesses; was marketing director for Brookhollow Hotel Corp., a commercial interior designer and was a partner and residential real estate agent for the Dallas Ft. Worth Relocation Co.

She moved back to Little Cape Horn, where she lived as a child, and designed and built the Villa at Little Cape Horn and has operated it eight years as a bed and breakfast and wedding venue.

In 2000, she was one of 30 people selected from Texas to go to Washington, DC, to assist the transition for the new President George W. Bush's administration. (George Bush first term 2000).

She said she has worked with Democrats and Republicans on fund raising campaigns and is a true independent, voting for the person, not the party.

Harvey said she is running for commissioner because she feels she can help the county progress.

"I love this county that I grew up in," she said. " I am part of this county, and I am vested in this county. I feel that I have skills and fresh ideas that will help keep Wahkiakum healthy and going forward."

"I think the commissioners have a responsibility to reach out and grow the county in ways that will keep our tax base stable, unemployment low and provide the rural quality of life we all seek. I think the commissioners need to have a long term vision as to where this county is going and I plan to implement a visioning committee so we can be pro-active in our future.

"I feel that our county commissioners have missed many opportunities that would have enhanced our lives.

" If elected I will be a full time commissioner, not part time. That means that I will be hiring somebody to take my place at the Villa, leaving me more time to serve the citizens. As a full time commissioner I plan on having an open door policy. I want to discuss ideas and concerns with all of the county citizens and businesses. I will be available for the whole county not just my district."