County Assessor
Mary Engle, R
Candidate’s statement:
Serving the taxpayers of Island County as your Assessor over the past 4 years has been my pleasure.
Over the past 4 years I have given presentation's County wide, further educating
the taxpayers on assessment values, market trends, exemption programs and understanding our tax calendars. My staff has work diligently on creating greater
efficiency within each position, we have continued
cross training, and we strive for
uniformity and consistency of our
appraisals. Our personal property
ratio has increased
over the last 3 years, our State Audits have been spotless and we have completed the audit of the Farm and Agricultural exemption. Continuing on as your Assessor I want to ensure
that we are able to complete the Timber
audit, balance our budget, wisely spend tax dollars and continue to assist the taxpayers professionally and respectfully.
Thank you for your continued support
and this opportunity to serve you!
Contact:
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(360) 929-4912
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I’ve had too many
complaints about Ms Engle. The latest cluster have to do with her threatening
to remove properties from their reduced tax status because they are not
generating enough income. That’s not what the state law says. Unfortunately,
she is running unopposed.
I will be voting for None of the Above.
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County Auditor
Sheilah Crider, R
Candidate’s statement:
Serving as your Auditor for the
past 6 ½ years has been my honor.
Under my leadership, all six
divisions of my office have set and achieved highest standards in customer
service, accuracy and reliability. Staying
within budgetary constraints, we’ve completed vast projects. Four years ago, we implemented the first
countywide accounting software upgrade in 25 years; one year later, we
implemented new payroll software upgrade.
We now issue Quick Titles for vehicles in Licensing, and are moving
towards electronic document recording.
In Elections, my focus was improving opportunities for military and
overseas voters. I worked with Secretary
of State to enable these voters to receive and return ballots via email. The Annual WA State Audits have found no
issues with my department.
Improving accessibility for special
needs voters is of vital importance, we’ve improved voter outreach, sought and
received grant funds for ballot drop boxes, which are strategically installed
countywide to improve voting opportunities for all voters. My efforts were recognized in 2013 by
Secretary of State Wyman, when I became the recipient of the first annual
Excellence in Service for Accessible Voting Award.
Our processes are open and
transparent to all; I work collaboratively across party lines representing all
the citizens of Island County performing my work with integrity and respect for
others. I never lose sight of the fact
that we operate with taxpayer funds, and ensure that we safeguard them wisely.
Experience matters. I ask for your support so I may continue to
represent you.
Becky Wagner, I
Candidate’s statement
Here is my commitment:
I will bring to the Auditor’s
office vital energy and experience. As a
CPA with experience preparing County financial statements, I will review Island
County financials and be an essential backup. I have broad experience
implementing financial systems – and will ensure that the purchasing,
encumbrance and fixed assets modules that were purchased are brought online. Government agencies need to accurately
monitor expenditures against budget and keep track of County owned assets. Accomplishing this, I will streamline
processes and use freed up resources to help bring the Auditor’s office into
the 21st century.
Auditor conferences are an
essential way to stay current on technological advances and to benefit from
shared best practices. I will actively
seek out solutions to alleviate the geographical challenges Camano Island
residents face in accessing Auditor office information and services. The
website will be enhanced to provide easy access to public information such as
the Audited Financial Statements.
In Elections I will assure
accuracy and accessibility. Careful
review prior to publication prevents costly errors. I will reinstate the printed voters guide.
All voters are entitled to be fully informed, not just those who can access the
internet. I will become qualified to certify elections as quickly as possible.
I will treat the staff with
respect and dignity. They provide
excellent customer service and deserve recognition and support. All positions will have trained backup. Staff
turnover is costly, employee retention is vital.
If you honor me with your
vote, you will not be disappointed.
Contact:
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(360) 678-4013
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www.rebeccawagner.org
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I
have known Sheilah Crider for many years, during which she sat on the Oak
Harbor city council and the Island County Planning Commission, and then as
auditor. Her background is in real estate. I give her credit for working years
ago to save the huge oak tree at the Oak Harbor post office, which Mayor Dudley
had cut down early on a Sunday morning this year. But as an auditor, not so
great.
I
have not known Becky Wagner nearly as long, but I do know her to be thoroughly
competent in accounting, which is what an auditor does – account for things.
Not just money, but perhaps more importantly, votes must be counted and
accounted for. Being able to trust that the election is carried out honestly is
absolutely rock bottom important. Sheilah has a reputation for being missing in
action during the most important parts of the election process. In fact, she
does not have the requisite certification to certify an election. Not good.
Both
these candidates ran in the primary. Check my comments back then.
I’ll
be voting for Becky Wagner.
County Clerk
Debra Van Pelt
No candidate’s statement
submitted
Truth to tell, I know very
little about what the county clerk does, or why s/he should be elected rather
than simply hired. Since Ms Van Pelt has held the job for a long time, and is
running unopposed, I make no recommendation.
County Commissioner, District
3
Karla Jacks, D
Candidate’s statement:
My family and
I have called Camano Island our home for over 20 years. I’ve volunteered in our
schools, been part of the local Chamber, and was named 2009 Businesswoman of
the Year. This community means everything to me.
We’ve had a
lot of division in government over the years. My goal is to bring people
together, give politics a back seat, and work for the good of Island County.
That ‘pull together’ spirit has been missing, and it’s time to bring it back.
Island County
faces major challenges, from transportation to an aging population. Everyone
deserves good access to government and the right to age in place. Everyone
deserves to enjoy our beaches, our trails, and to have a real voice in
Coupeville.
This election
is going to affect Island County for years to come. The budget is at a critical
juncture; we can’t afford tax increases yet many seniors depend on county
services. Prioritizing how our limited resources will be spent is crucial.
There is a
real choice in this race. I offer strong local experience at many levels of the
community, including in business. That’s why Commissioner Helen Price Johnson
recently said: “Karla Jacks is the most qualified candidate in the race, by
far”.
Please do not
hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have. I would be
honored to have your support and your vote. I promise to be a Commissioner who
is always ‘On the ball for Island County’!
Contact:
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(425) 345-5106
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www.jacksforcommissioner.org
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Rick Hannold, R
Candidate’s statement:
I have been a resident of Island County for 28
years. My family and I have lived here,
serving our communities and we care deeply about the future of Island
County. I believe it is the duty of
elected representatives to perform their duties in a professional and
respectful way. Commissioners must work
together to provide what is in the best interest of Island County citizens.
We live in a fragile economy and we need a
representative who has a desire to meet future public needs without asking the
taxpayers for more revenue. This can be accomplished
only through fiscal responsibility and accountability. I believe it is the responsibility of our
elected officials to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars. As your Island County Commissioner, I want to
be your advocate, working to ensure that you live in a County with a government
you can afford.
I want to restore the faith and trust of the
citizens of Island County in their public officials. It is the duty of our elected officials to
remember they are employees of the public and as such are entrusted to make
difficult decisions based on the needs of Island County’s residents and not the
wants of special interest groups. Now
and once elected, my door is open to hearing from you. Your concerns, ideas and needs are of
importance and will guide the decisions I make as your Island County
Commissioner.
Contact:
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(360) 675-2338
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www.rhannold.com
I have heard both Karla Jacks and Rick Hannold speak, and
it becomes pretty obvious which of the two has the requisite experience and
understanding of the job. Karla has the background, and has a lot of
experience working with the community. Mr Hannold has a lot of experience
with the military and his church. Those do not strike me as recommendations
for running a county. He waves the flag while proposing tea flavored
solutions to county problems. No thanks. Been there. Done that. One tea bag
commissioner was more than enough. Karla will simply do the job. From her
statements it is clear that she knows more about the chamber of commerce than
about what I consider pressing environmental issues, so we’ll have to have a
lot of meetings and talks. I don’t believe Mr Hannold knows how to listen, so
talks would not be very likely. During the interviews for commissioner
candidates earlier this year Mr Hannold said he would do what the people
wanted – as long as it was consistent with his own beliefs. Given that those
beliefs come from a fundamentalist church, I’m worried. I believe in
separation of church and state. Mr Hannold sounds like he does not.
I want a commissioner who will look at the evidence,
evaluate both the problem and the various proposed solutions, and reach a
conclusion which is best for all the residents of Island County, including
the non-human residents. From talking with her, I believe Karla Jacks has
that ability.
I've just heard from people who attended various candidate meetings, and they report that Mr Hannold does not believe that climate change is real, or if it is, God is doing it so its ok. He has also stated publicly that he would not have agreed to allow sales of marijuana in Island County. Both of these positions are consistent with his religious background. Mr Hannold is welcome to his religion. I don't want our county to be governed by his religion. As I said above, I believe strongly in the Constitutional separation of church and state.
I also heard it reported that Mr Hannold promised to abolish Conservation Futures and the Whidbey Camano Land Trust. This demonstrates a fundamental ignorance of how the county works and who is a part of it. Whidbey Camano Land Trust is an independent organization in no way affiliated with Island County. And Conservation Futures is the program which gave us such public treasures as Double Bluff, Greenbank Farm, and Ala Spit, among many others. Every few years a commissioner tries to do away with Conservation Futures - and touches off a firestorm.
I prefer a commissioner who understands the scientific basis of climate change and sea level rise predictions and is willing to take the steps necessary to deal with it, and one who understands the value of public ownership of very special places.
I will be voting happily for Karla
Jacks.
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County Coroner
Robert Bishop, R
No candidate’s statement
submitted
Since he is running
unopposed, I make no recommendation.
County Prosecutor
Greg Banks
No candidate’s statement
submitted
Since he is running
unopposed, I make no recommendation.
County Sheriff
Mark Brown, R
No candidate’s statement
submitted
Sheriff Brown has a definite
tea colored tinge to him, including threatening the public with arrest for
attempting to access their own public shoreline, a refusal to share the pain
when the county was in dire financial straits, and a refusal to prevent
environmental damage.
Check my comments on Brown in
my primary blog.
While he is running
unopposed, I will write in None of the Above.
County Treasurer
Ana Maria Nunez, D
Current Island
County Treasurer, CPA, Masters of Accounting & Financial management, 16+
yrs experience in Governmental Accounting, Experienced in Budgeting at Federal
& County levels.
I will continue
to maximize Interest Earnings following my dedicated strategy, selecting
investments which meet the guidelines of the Island County Investment Policy
and are suitable for the portfolio. Analyzing inherent risks in the available
options, including Interest Rate Risk and Reinvestment Risk, then selecting the
best investments to maximize interest earnings while safeguarding the
principal.
The three plus
years of backlog in property tax adjustments and refunds I inherited when
elected to office in 2011 are caught up to August 2014, as I promised.
During my tenure,
I created an environment where my employees feel valued, empowered to express
their ideas and opinions. Capitalizing on these ideas has led to creating a
Partial Payment Program, partnering with the Opportunity Council to assist
those at risk for Foreclosure allowing homeowners to remain in their homes, and
the ability to receive tax statements via email. I have enhanced job cross
training, increasing knowledge, while building a successful team. I have formed
solid partnerships with Department Heads & Elected Officials, allowing us
to better serve our citizens which is our ultimate goal. This position requires
many dedicated working hours; is a high energy, high impact position. I bring
to the table my experience as Treasurer, my education, my dedication, and my
desire to continue to serve you, the citizens.
I look forward to
serving another four years.
Contact:
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(360) 679-1988
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www.reelectnunez.com
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Wanda Grone, R
The Treasurer’s duties are
mandated by state law. Performance of
these duties requires meticulous attention to detail and personal diligence to
produce accurate work on time. The
Treasurer should be available, and responsive to internal and external
inquiries. This is a full-time position,
requiring that the elected official consistently carry part of the department’s
workload.
Improvements in technology
and communication are providing opportunities for efficiencies and cost
savings. Government can provide better
service by adapting these changes. The Treasurer
has to recognize these opportunities, implement them promptly, and look for
more ways to make improvements.
I worked as Island County
Chief Deputy Treasurer 2011 – 2014, following 30 years successful private
industry experience in senior level accounting and financial analysis
positions. My position as Chief Deputy
gave me insight to local government treasury operations. Working in the private sector provided me
with the financial expertise and management skills to improve government
performance without increased cost.
I recognize the actions that
need to be taken to improve this office.
Proactive cooperation and communication will solve problems with
property tax billings and prevent state audit issues. Staff can be utilized better. I convey what needs to be done and show the
benefit and importance of hard work. I expect
accountability.
I am a 29-year Washington
resident, 4 years in Island County. I am
a licensed CPA and a Certified Fraud Examiner with a BBA from the University of
Texas. As a professional, I adhere to
the highest ethical standard. I
appreciate your vote.
Contact:
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(425) 417-0628
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www.wandagrone.com
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I have now had several opportunities to interact with Ana
Maria d’Nunez. She is obviously very competent. She is also a bit impatient
with employees who fail to do their job properly. Ms Grone and her friends
and supporters have been waging a very ugly mud-slinging campaign. I fear
what may happen to the county’s finances if Ms Grone should win. Part of her
campaign appears to be destroying Ana Maria’s campaign signs. Just as two
very large Grone signs went up on the corner near us, all our signs,
including Ana Maria’s, were torn down and strewn across the road. Great
manners there.
I will be voting to retain Ana
Maria d’Nunez.
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District Court judge
Bill Hawkins
No candidate’s statement
submitted
Since he is running
unopposed, I make no recommendation
