I don’t know about you but, personally speaking, after the recent elections, I am still in a state of euphoria. Ecstatic is hardly the word. It is so bad that people are making me chew on lemons just to take the silly grin off my face.
How sweet it is to be able to use the words “Commissioner” and “Peach” in the same sentence! Which means that, for the first time in recent memory, we will have three conservative commissioners in office. Three commissioners who understand that government does not create jobs but, in fact, frequently serves to prevent job creation.
At last, maybe we can stem the flow of jobs away from Clallam County. And maybe even attract some. Which would attract workers… and families… and economic growth. What a concept!!
As GOP chair, I was blessed to have two very qualified candidates vying for the position of Prosecuting Attorney. Speaking personally, and a bit selfishly, I simply could not lose!! Nor could the county!! However, watching two good personal friends contend for the same position was sad in that only one of them could win.
But that was the case and so I offer hearty congratulations to the newly elected Prosecuting Attorney Mark Nichols who assumed the office effective November 25. I also wish to thank Will Payne for the exemplary job that he did for the short time he was in office and note that the office – and the county – is all the better for his presence. Well done to you both.
There were also a number of non-partisan races and, while they may not publically declare a party preference, the winners were all solid professionals and a credit to their positions. Accordingly, congratulations to: Auditor-elect Shoona Riggs, re-elected Assessor Pam Rushton, Director-elect, Mary Ellen Winborn (Department of Community Development), re-elected Sheriff Bill Benedict and, lastly, re-Elected Judges Chris Melly and Rick Porter.
And not to forget the conservative candidates elected to the Charter Review Commission; Sue Forde, Nola Judd, Maggie Roth, Glenn Wiggins, and Connie Beauvais. You will be hearing much more about them in the near future.
I have often said that we can’t do much about elective offices in Washington DC; and not much more about those offices in Olympia. But where we can make a difference is locally, here in the county. And this time, we sure did make a difference. Like, can you say Commissioner Peach??
Whoops… better pass that lemon again… I feel a grin about to break out.
Dick Pilling, Chair
