PORT ANGELES — Responding to the Beaver resident who wants to replace him, Clallam County Commissioner Mike Doherty said Thursday that Robin V. Poole has a few things to learn about how government works.
Doherty, a Port Angeles Democrat, was out of town on family business and unavailable for comment on Wednesday to respond Republican Poole’s contention that the three-term District 3 commissioner was out of touch with his West End constituents.
Poole, a 60-year-old UPS driver who said he had never attended a commissioners’ meeting, said Doherty is “so far removed from us, he has his own weather pattern,” and contended that land-use and logging regulations were too restrictive.
Doherty, 67, said Thursday that he regularly hears complaints about constituents not being able to extract resources such as timber and about restrictive land-use regulations.
But the county has no choice but to abide by state legislative mandates required under such laws as the statewide Growth Management Act, over which the county has no control.
“It isn’t as if we initiate all those,” he said.
“Mr. Poole will probably learn more about that as we have a campaign.”
Visits most Wednesdays
Doherty said also said he reserves most Wednesdays for visiting the West End, leaving Port Angeles at 6 a.m. for meetings and private one-on-ones in Forks, Neah Bay, Clallam Bay and Sekiu, then making himself available to constituents in Joyce as he makes his way home.
In addition, Doherty serves the West End’s interests in other meetings in Port Angeles, the county seat, without having to be physically in that area, he said.
Poole also suggested that commissioners consider a 5 percent wage cut for commissioners. The winner of the District 3 position will earn between $61,117 and $61,267.
Doherty said commissioners did not take a cost-of-living increase for 2010, nor did county employees.
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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-417-3536 or at paul.gottlieb@peninsuladaily news.com.
