Forum highlighted great candidates

Published 2:50 am Friday, October 3, 2008

I have to say, I am thoroughly impressed with all the candidates running for public office this year in the Valley. As many people know, I try to keep my specific candidate opinions to myself until after the election. Many people have asked why we do not endorse a candidate and I typically answer that we have to work with whomever wins, despite our endorsement. Unfortunately, in small-town politics people can hold a grudge, and if we bless their opponent, they may be slow in providing us the information we need to tell you what is going on.

A typical scenario posed by a person in public office who has not liked something we did or said is the threat of pulling legal notices. We are the official newspaper of record for Snoqualmie, North Bend, Carnation, the school district and the fire districts, although we recently had to remind Eastside Fire and Rescue District 38 that we were the only newspaper in its coverage area.

Pulling legal notices out of a newspaper is the thinly disguised threat many unhappy politicians have used for more than a hundred years. Most publishers are used to it and know, with time, it will pass.

But I digress. What I really want to say is how impressed I was with the candidates for Snoqualmie City Council, the mayor’s position and the school board. All seem deeply committed to the community and their passion for our way of life was reflected in the answers to the questions they were given.

So how do you decide which one to vote for? One of the candidates asked me why more people weren’t at the forum and I answered voter apathy. Voters tend to come out of the woodwork when something directly affects them or they perceive things aren’t going well. In the case of the school district board position, if the Valley perceives things are going well, concerns about who is in the position wane. If the Valley perceives there is a problem, then voters will voice their opinion by voting.

For the mayor’s position, it will be a difficult decision, as well. Both candidates are committed to the city of Snoqualmie. Both realize the need to bolster the city’s economic tax base and both realize the railroad is the key to doing that.

For the council positions, it is again a difficult decision. But here is what I look at in any position – has the candidate jumped in and worked on specific events, participated in any civic organizations or volunteered for any effort that benefits the community? If the answer is no, my decision is much simpler. If the answer for all candidates is yes, then I look at length of previous service, the candidate’s views on specific subjects important to me and their ability to communicate a position or view. The candidates’ communication abilities were all stellar.

One thing for sure is the need to bolster economic development in Snoqualmie. I’m not sure that putting all my eggs in the Roger Brooks basket is the right answer and noticed almost all of the candidates falling back to that position when pressed about future economic development. I’ve never known a consultant or plan to be an “utopia” solution.

But the most important thing is to get out there and vote. Like I’ve said before, if you won’t at least cast a vote, quit whining.