Nov. 5 General Election: Skamania County commissioner, District No. 2

I believe that I can help my community become more resilient by working as an elected official to bring needed resources into our community that will improve our infrastructure and the lives of all our community members.  My job as an elected official will be to work to expand opportunities for our community members. We need county-wide broadband so that businesses can expand their reach, so that people can have opportunities to start new and diverse businesses, and for people to deepen their job skills, if they need to.  Broadband can help communities stay connected with the wider world and still maintain their community identity by being able to work and live in place.

What are your qualifications for this position?

I have a degree in Applied Physics and have worked as a geophysicist; I am a veteran of the US Air Force Reserve and served as a Intelligence Analyst, Operations Officer, Branch Chief, and Executive Officer. I’m a community activist and environmentalist. I am on the Skamania County Homeless Housing Council, appointed by the county commissioners; I am also on the Healthy Skamania Advisory Board; and I was appointed to the Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities SW Advisory Board by the county commissioners. I am past president of the WA Association of Boundary Review Boards.  I am president of Stevenson Grange 121, secretary for the Skamania Lions Club, and co-coordinator of the Stevenson Community Gardens.

Top three issues facing Skamania County?

We need more revenue streams! We are rich in resources — water, land, trees. We can make money from carbon credits and carbon offsets, using our tree wealth.

We have to find ways to lower utility costs for all our citizens.

Affordable housing is a policy issue and we have to address ADUs and vacation homes and second homes in our community. Vacation and second homes take living space off the market. Public and private investment, and changes in housing policies and zoning laws will produce more affordable housing. Legislation needs to pass to prevent LLCs, foreign entities, hedge funds, etc., from buying up housing stock. Foreign entities should not own more than 49% of any investment in America.

What is the innovation you would recommend the county try?

I believe that our county can make a lot of money by selling carbon offsets/credits; this will involve working with the federal government. We need a rainy day savings fund for our county. We need to have more daycare in our communities, and I want to see the closed Stevenson Elementary school have a day care center — the building is there so why not use it. We also need adult education courses so people can upgrade and hone their skills, and generally broaden their horizons. We need to change housing policies so that more affordable homes are built when development takes place.

In five years, my vision for Skamania County is…

That we have inexpensive, county-wide broadband that citizens can use to make new, diverse businesses while living in their community where affordable housing is available for all who need it; citizens feel safe and secure in their environment; we have moved toward the goal of using more renewal energy sources for our community; and that our infrastructure and community are resilient in the face of climate change. The commissioners are responsible for making sure that county citizens are getting the resources that they are entitled to from the commons resources. They are responsible for seeing to the safety, health, and welfare needs for all the citizens. It is their responsibility to look to the future to ensure that the county and its citizens do better in the future, and are safe and secure in their environment.

Rob Farris

Why are you running?

I’m running for Skamania County Commissioner because I’m passionate about serving our community. After 30 years as a volunteer firefighter and two years as the elected Hospital District commissioner for District 2, I felt compelled to continue making a difference in the lives of our residents and visitors. As my career as volunteer fire chief comes to a close, I know that I am not ready to stop serving.

What are your qualifications for this position?

With 30 years of volunteer firefighting experience, including 10 as fire chief, I’ve dedicated my life to serving Skamania County. As Hospital District commissioner for District 2, I’ve expanded my commitment to community healthcare. Additional leadership roles include:

Past chair, Skamania County Trauma Care Council

Member, Skamania County Emergency Services Board

School District Long Range Capital Planning Committee

Volunteer Department Head for the City Of Stevenson

Professionally, I’ve been a part of teams developing multi-million-dollar products, driving growth and innovation. My unique blend of public service and professional expertise equips me to address our county’s complex challenges and drive progress while maintaining our rural character.

What are the top three issues facing Skamania County?

1. The continued reliance on SRS funding. The county and school district need to figure out ways to not to have to depend on Congress to provide this specific funding

2. The lack of families with children living in the area. School funding is dependent on enrollment. We are seeing less enrollment in our schools which is resulting in underfunded school systems. The county should be trying to drive Skamania County to be a destination for families to live and thrive in.

3. Finding new revenue streams that make up for the lack of timber harvest revenue.

What is an innovation you would recommend the county try?

It’s not a new thought process, but it would be new for the county. “If you build it, they will come.” Building out infrastructure such as commercial buildings on some of the underutilized land throughout the county via a public/private partnership may draw in small to medium sized businesses that could provide family wage jobs.

Finish this statement: In five years, my vision for Skamania County is…

To be a place where rural prosperity thrives, with improved community services, strong and dependable emergency response, and is and magnet for economic growth, making Skamania County the best place to live, work, and visit in the Pacific Northwest.

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Brian Nichols and Mary Ellen Grode, both running for Skamania County commissioner district 1, did not respond by press deadline. Any responses received before the Nov. 5 election will be included in upcoming editions of Columbia Gorge News.