DISTRICT 3 COMMISSIONER RACE

JON COOKE ON THE ISSUES

We asked all candidates in the race for the open seat representing District 3 on the Jefferson County Commission the same four questions.  Monday, we published Craig Durgan’s answers.  Today it is Jon Cooke’s turn.

“Growth, Opportunity, Prosperity.”  Jon Cooke frequently uses these words to explain what he believes “GOP” stands for.  Mr. Cooke is chair of the Jefferson County Republican Party and the only Republican in the race.  He has been a teacher and coach, and currently is responsible for maintenance of many Jefferson County public facilities.  You can read his bio by clicking here, courtesy of the Honesty Forum.  Mr. Cooke has been a keen observer of developments affecting life in District 3 and around the county.  We appreciate his thoughtful answers.

1.  What do you see as the most critical need facing District 3 and what specifically will you do to address that need?  

The most critical need in District 3 would be a sewer system in District 2.  The sewer system in Port Hadlock would break the way for business development to come to our county.  These businesses would provide jobs and expand the property tax base to increase the revenue of the county - which would provide for better police protection and other services provided by the county.  There are several avenues for implementing the sewer system that are waiting for the re-examination of the overpriced system the county had previously proclaimed.  Once that estimate is in, then we would need to bring all the different ideas to the table and see which one makes the most sense.  This project is a must and as commissioner I would push to see it through and help Commissioner Dean to complete her campaign promise to deliver a sewer system to the voters.

2. There has been much talk of regulatory reform by all the candidates in order to promote a more prosperous District 3.  Which regulations would you change and how? 

The road to real change in Jefferson County starts at the doors of the Department of Community Development.  There are regulations in our building codes that go above state codes.  Those codes could be relaxed to give more opportunities to builders and businesses.  In the Urban Growth Area of Port Hadlock there is a retail building code that limits building size to 20,000 square feet.  Port Hadlock QFC and Hadlock Building Supply are maxed out in square footage.  For any large business to come into the county they will want a larger site than that.  As a commissioner, I would work with Patty Charnes, DCD director, to identify areas that could be relaxed.  The percentage of Jefferson County land for Heavy Industrial now stands at .02%.  We need to provide zoning to increase this where it will have a minimal effect on our rural character.  Also, our rural villages need updates to the water systems supplied to these areas, which would need a commissioner who could work with the PUD commissioners to find solutions.

3.  What should the rest of the county, and Port Townsend in particular, be doing to alleviate the poverty and lack of economic opportunity in District 3? 

After attending the Planning Commission meetings for months previous to my decision to run for commissioner, it became clear to me that our leadership has the idea that small businesses should be the economic mainstay of the county.  How has this worked so far?  Unemployment has risen above the state and national levels, young families are leaving our schools, and economic recovery has happened all around us.  Small businesses are vital to any economy, but should not shoulder the whole load.  We need a diversity of business types and sizes to prosper.  Port Townsend was recently voted one of the most beautiful towns on the west coast.  If they want to remain in that mind set, I am fine with that, but they should not hold back the rest of the county from taking advantage of opportunities for economic recovery.  Port Townsend is our only current viable option for large housing areas and they should be helping to alleviate the housing shortage.

4. What would you like to tell voters about why you should be the next District 3 County Commissioner?  

The County’s Unencumbered Fund (funds that are not earmarked for specific areas of spending) of the current budget is above a million dollars.  Budgeted out four years ahead that fund will be down to a little over 100,000 dollars.  Something is not working.  We need some common sense solution to our revenue problems.  Bringing in businesses will broaden our property tax base, so the county will have less of a reason to dig deeper into your tax pocket.  As a leader, I listen to what people say – not to answer them with my solution, but to actually hear their ideas.  We have a lot of intelligent people in our county, but if a commissioner is not truly listening the ideas never take shape.  One man said that he had looked over the Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan Update and noticed there is no matrix to see if the “goals” are really being met.  As a wrestling coach for over 30 years coaching athletes to set goals, I know that if there are not benchmarks to achieving the goals then they are not goals, but, instead, just dreams.  A lady told me if she wanted to buy clothing she has three options: go to Kitsap or Clallam Counties, buy the overpriced clothes on the Port Townsend water front, or go to Goodwill.  Too many people are choosing the first option.  A retired marine biologist asked why we are not putting pressure on The Department of Fish and Wildlife to open salmon fishing here in May and June.  We are missing out on hundreds of thousands of dollars in tourism spending annually.  The salmon not caught by the tribes and to resupply the fisheries are being ground up for fish meal.  Why not open up our waters again?  If you want a commissioner who will listen to you check out my website at: www.electjoncooke.com.   

NEXT UP:  Ryan McAllister, Democrat for District 3 County Commissioner