County GOP selects commissioner candidate

by Lois Krafsky-Perry,
Citizen Review Online     

June 15, 2007

Sequim, WA - Bob Forde (62) has been selected by Clallam County Republicans (CCRP) as their candidate, to vie for the position of District 1 commissioner.

Forde filed Friday, June 15, at the county courthouse in Port Angeles.
Although filings ended a week ago, state law allows a party to select a candidate, if they choose, when no opponent from another party files.  The current Democrat opponent, an incumbent, is running for a third term. 

Sequim resident Forde said he is running because, “I believe voters should have more than one choice at the ballot box, and I want to be a moderating voice for the citizens.”

Forde says he stands for holding the line on taxes, more accountable government at the county level, and less regulation.

“I believe that before increasing taxes for new programs, the voters should have a voice.  I would advocate that any new taxes for new programs would require a vote of the people,” he said. 

Forde also said he would press for performance audits of county government to periodically review and analyze the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of the policies, management, fiscal affairs and operations of county government.  “This is an effective tool, when not politically manipulated, to ensure the wisest possible use of taxpayer dollars and to decrease the cynicism people have about their government,” Forde stated.

Regulation is getting out of control, according to Forde.  “There are layers upon layers of regulations, which tend to overlap and cost the taxpayers more in terms of fees and loss of rights than need be,” said the longtime Clallam County resident.  He said he would support a review of the current and proposed regulations to see if there are already sufficient ones in place to protect the environment.  “We need to be balanced in our approach. We need to protect citizen’s rights in addition to protecting the environment,” affirmed Forde. 

As a student of history, Forde points out that the less government interference in people’s lives, the more prosperous and free they are.

The GOP candidate has lived and worked in Clallam County since 1989, and has been a citizen advocate of individual rights. He has worked in car sales for 25 years, and also worked as a property manager in Nevada. 

Forde is an elected Supervisor for the Clallam Conservation District. He is a board member of the North Olympic Counties Farm Bureau and a board member of Sequim Baseball Inc..  Forde attends Olympic Bible Fellowship (OBF) in Sequim.  He is also an active member of an anonymous 12-step program for the past 24 years. 

Bob Forde lives on 5 acres with his wife, Sue; together they have 6 children and 9 grandchildren.  He is actively involved with their church, and enjoys their small farm, raising Saanan goats.  They also raise chickens and have a dog, cat and turkey.