McEntire wins Clallam County Commissioner race


11/16/2011

Clallam County, WA - Jim McEntire (R) has moved far enough ahead of Linda Barnfather (D) in the race for Clallam County Commissioner District 1 to feel confident of his winning the race.

The Port of Port Angeles Commissioner says he will resign from his current position to take on the role of County Commissioner.

McEntire brought economic issues to the forefront as he ran for the office.

According to his website, “Job One” is to promote policies that will get the private sector economy growing again. That will be my major focus, should you elect me to the County Commission. I stand for two other things: fiscal responsibility and common sense environmental regulation. I support time-tested American civic values of self-reliance, liberty, private enterprise, and families and communities taking care of each other.

"Consider these facts:

  • Since 2003, County property taxes are one-third higher ($3.3 million) per year – growing 3.6% faster than the rate of inflation!
  • Since 2003, Clallam’s median household income has declined by more than $13,000 per year when adjusted by the same inflation rate!
  • Unemployment has spiked at a too-high 11.6%.
  • Clallam’s working families are under great economic stress. Over the last decade, we have lost people between 25 to 55 years of age while the overall population has grown by over 5,900.

“Government has to live within its means. We must not raise taxes and put additional economic burdens on Clallam County families – people are just tapped out and cannot afford it,” he states.

According to McEntire's website, several big regulatory issues will be before the County Commission in the next several years: the update to our Shorelines Master Plan, water rules for the Dungeness River watershed, getting the Carlsborg Urban Growth Area squared away, and others, too.

"Achieving the right balance between individual and property owner’s rights, environmental protection, and economic growth will take wisdom, real consultation with – and listening to – the public, and an experienced, steady hand on the tiller by a new County Commissioner," McEntire says.

In response to a question about regulations governing land use, McEntire stated:

"Our elected Director of Community Development is responsible for formulating Clallam County’s update for our Shoreline Master Plan, but the County Commission adopts it, with or without amendments, by and ordinance.

"Here’s how I’ll decide whether or not to vote in favor of such an ordinance, or how I’ll decided which amendments to propose:

1. Don’t fix what’s not broken in Clallam County’s existing ordinance;


2. Take a very minimalist approach regarding “no net loss of ecological function”, since it appears nowhere in the Shoreline Management Act (RCW Chapter 90.58) – I don’t want to invite a lawsuit and have all development stop in the shoreline jurisdictional zone;


3. Use good, peer-reviewed science, so that we base the County’s update on good information; and


4. If shoreline property owners’ property values are damaged as a result of the updated plan, provide just compensation for the loss of use and loss of value."

In response to a question about hunting on park land, McEntire responded:

"I’m in favor of County Parks being opened for hunting – the main consideration is safety and scheduling. Some parks such as Robin Hill probably are not appropriate, but other parks are, or could be. County land near Dungeness Spit has been opened in season for bird hunting for years – I think I remember this is scheduled to cease either this year or next. I’m not in favor of curtailing hunting areas – we need to ensure that opportunities for hunting remain into the future on County lands."

As of Nov. 14th, Jim McEntire holds a strong enough lead to say, "he's won"! With 52% of the vote, and a growing lead, Jim has issued a press release saying:

"After Monday afternoon’s ballot count, it is apparent that our race for Clallam County Commissioner has succeeded.

"I am very honored to have enjoyed the trust and confidence of so many of the good people of our county.  I do very much look forward to continued service for all of our county’s citizens.

"I wish Linda Barnfather the very best in the days ahead.  She ran a strong race, and I salute her courage and fortitude in standing for election.  It is not an easy thing to run for office.

"Our campaign’s message of keeping county taxes level, and of doing everything possible to push our economy forward, will be my touchstones.

"God bless our communities; God bless our County; God bless our State, God bless our nation, and God bless us all."