EDITOR’S NOTE:
This is the second of a two-part series on a candidate forum in Port Townsend last week.
PORT TOWNSEND — When Republican Jim Boyer, who is challenging incumbent Democrat John Austin for the District 3 Jefferson County commission seat, said at a forum last week that the city might annex an area south to Glen Cove, Port Townsend Mayor Michelle Sandoval immediately reacted.
“I have been to . . . City Council meetings over the last nine years and have heard no talk in my memory about annexation,” Sandoval said at the candidate forum at the Masonic Lodge in Port Townsend on Thursday night.
“So I am wondering where that came from?” Sandoval, a prominent county Democrat, asked Boyer.
Boyer, while commenting that Jefferson County was not the only governmental body with budget problems, had said that the city of Port Townsend sought to extend its sewer system as far south as Glen Cove and perhaps annex that area.
“When that happens, the county will lose a big bucket of tax revenues, and we will have to work together to offset that,” Boyer, 64, told about 100 people at the forum.
After Sandoval said Port Townsend officials were not discussing annexation, Boyer told her that he had heard the possibility mentioned in meetings with business owners at Glen Cove and at the Port Townsend Paper mill.
Austin, 69, said that there was some confusion about extending sewer lines to the area “but that would not require annexation.”
Austin, a retired Port Ludlow psychologist, and Boyer, a homebuilder, also of Port Ludlow, face each other on the Nov. 2 general election ballot. Ballots were mailed Wednesday.
Final question
In the final question at the forum, Cynthia Austin, John Austin’s wife, did not identify herself when she said, “This question is directed to Mr. Boyer.
“With the fact that you are a builder and developer, what safeguards do the public have that you will not have a personal agenda and will not do everything possible to enhance your own business?”
Boyer used the opportunity to repeat one of his campaign themes, urging the restructuring of the county Department of Community Development, before answering her question directly.
“I think there are enough checks and balances in the process that prevent conflicts of interest that would ensure against the idea that you are fearing,” he said.
“I don’t see this as being an issue. I don’t see how we could add to our fortunes that way.”
Boyer said that he ran for office because of “a lot of management issues, budget issues and other things going on.
“I’d like to bring a new voice to the county commissioners, a differing opinion and a chance to offer a different discussion, and a chance to offer some balance in the problem-solving that we are going to need.”
Austin said that he agreed that it will be necessary for all sides to work together,
“We have some very complex problems that we are facing,” Austin said.
“We need a county commissioner who can work with the Legislature, the city and the [Port of Port Townsend] to address these problems.”
Well-prepared
Austin said he is well-prepared.
“In a certain way, everything that I have done, in my career and experience, prepared me for this job,” Austin said.
“It has been suggested by some that we reduce our government, that we get rid of some of our public lands.
“I think this is shortsighted,” Austin said.
“We want to preserve what we have, so our children can enjoy what we have today.”
Boyer, acknowledging the large audience, said he hoped the evident interest in government would continue past the election.
“After the election is over, I hope you don’t walk away and think that just because you have voted that your job is done.
“Stick with this because we have hard times together, and it is input from all of you that will make it work out for all of us.”
The forum was sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Jefferson County, the Port Townsend AAUW and The Leader, a weekly newspaper in Port Townsend.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
