PORT LUDLOW — The balancing act between fiscal responsibility and providing services was the main topic at a forum earlier this week among candidates in the two races to represent the 24th District in the state Legislature.
“Balancing the budget without raising taxes will be a priority for the Legislature,” said Dan Gase, speaking before about 150 people at the Port Ludlow Bay Club on Wednesday night.
Gase, 56, a Port Angeles Republican, is challenging incumbent Kevin Van De Wege, 35, a Sequim Democrat, for the Position 1 seat.
“The state doesn’t have an income problem,” Gase said. “It has a spending problem.”
Gase, a real estate managing broker and consultant, called for “an end to the outrageous continued spending on item after item after item on programs that the state should not be involved in.
“If we don’t have an economy, we can’t fund government and people don’t have jobs, and this must be the focus of the Legislature on all levels for the foreseeable future.”
Gase and Van De Wege appeared along with the candidates for Position 2, Sequim Republican Jim McEntire, 60, and Sequim Democrat Steve Tharinger, 61.
Tharinger, a Clallam County commissioner, and McEntire, a Port of Port Angeles comissioner and a retired Coast Guard captain, are seeking the seat vacated by Hoquiam Democrat Lynn Kessler, who is retiring this year.
The forum was sponsored by the Port Ludlow Village Council and the Peninsula Daily News and was moderated by PDN senior writer Paul Gottlieb.
Job creation
“Job creation is what will get us out of the recession,” said Van De Wege, a firefighter and paramedic.
“When you have a job, you are part of your community and are less likely to need state services, be involved in a domestic abuse situation or have health problems,” he added.
Van De Wege said he has been successful in generating jobs in the past and will continue to do so in the future.
McEntire said that government should “get out of the way of the private sector and let the private sector grow jobs, which is what it does best.
“If we get the economy out of the ditch, tax revenue will take care of itself,” he said.
Tharinger said that budgets won’t be developed without compromise and that he is the best-equipped to help reach consensus.
“We are in a very challenging fiscal environment because of the global recession,” Tharinger said.
Coalition building
“The key is to build coalitions and break down those barriers between city and county and the state, and look toward providing what the most essential services should be provided by our limited tax dollars.”
Both Tharinger and McEntire now hold elective office. McEntire said he will resign his port position if elected to the Legislature, while Tharinger plans to stay put, at least until the end of his current county term.
Tharinger, criticized during the primary election for “double dipping,” has presented his potential dual public job description as an advantage.
“I think we need to create a government that is better integrated on all levels,” Tharinger said.
“Being a legislator and a commissioner, and having a vote in both bodies, will actually help that consolidation.”
McEntire thinks that his single vote would be enough to represent the district.
“During my career, I have developed a rich background in the understanding of policymaking on both the local level and the federal level,” he said.
“I will be able to bring a very strong skill set on your behalf in Olympia and be effective from Day One.”
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
