9-24-18 Clinton Candidates' Night report

For starters, thank you to the various people who explained some of the most basic of basics of how to use this blog. Notice no unwanted underlining, italics, or other peculiarities. Progress.

If you haven't read the Whidbey Record, there was a major electoral event at the Clinton Hall on Monday 9-24-18. We were all floored by the jam of people, but even 200 people are a very small minority of the voting public in Island County. So I figured I might as well post my notes from the event for those of you who couldn't make it. This is by no means a substitute for my usual acerbic comments, but I do want people to know what's going on. We are only 3 weeks away (as of this writing) of the day ballots drop.

9-24-18    Clinton Progressive Hall    Candidates’ Night

A great big thank you to the League of Women Voters, the Clinton Community Council, and the Sno-Isle Libraries for organizing this event. As the Whidbey Record reported, there were near 200 people packed into the hall.

Here are my notes of questions and answers.

Island County Commissioner, district 3
Janet St Clair – D
Rick Hannold – R, incumbent

1. While commissioners represent their particular district, they must govern all of Island County. There are clear needs in each district. How do you reconcile those?

Rick Hannold – The job is to govern Island County as a whole. That’s done by being in the community. Commissioners serve on a couple of dozen boards and agencies, which puts them in contact with the community.  (parenthetically, I noted that he referred to Camano as “they”)

Janet St Clair – For some reason I have not recorded her response, but I remember her saying that she has been out knocking on doors all over the county, listening to people and learning their concerns.

2. Rick Hannold and Jill Johnson rejected a $1 mil grant for a Ken’s Corner to ferry dock trail. Why?

Rick Hannold – I didn’t see any sense in it. It would have had to cross Hwy 525. There are Critical Areas involved. And its uphill all the way.

Janet St Clair – There was/is widespread community support for this project. The commissioner from District 1 favored it. The issues raised could have been dealt with. Bottom line: Rick Hannold left a million dollars which could have benefited Island County on the table.

3. How can Island County assist Clinton’s economic development?

Janet St Clair – The commissioners have been discussing special conditions for “gateway” areas. The planning department is working on that very issue. I am looking forward to the result.

Rick Hannold – This is a recent issue. We’re just wrapping up the Housing element. Next we’ll be addressing rural lands, economic development, and gateway areas. There are no Urban Growth Areas involved, so gateway designation  will be significant.

4. How do you proposed to deal with the loss of rental housing to Air B&B conversions?

Rick Hannold – Its not just south Whidbey. The state is working on new guidelines for the Buildable Lands Analysis. We will know more later.

Janet St Clair – Air B&Bs cost the county in tourism tax dollars. There is a study of the issue coming. Once we see the results, we can consider what policies will be appropriate. We need to look at the whole range of housing issues.

5. What is Island County’s role in creating affordable housing?

Janet St Clair – Island County does not build housing. It facilitates the construction. There are different categories of housing to consider: homeless housing, workforce housing, senior housing, supportive housing for those with special needs. There has been a 2 year program to look at all the various housing issue. Based on that we need to develop different strategies for each of these categories.

Rick Hannold – Housing comes down to cost and availability. The county can reduce the turnaround time for permits. It has adopted stock plans which can be permitted very quickly. It can do concurrent review of the many permits required. It can waive some permit fees.

6. What are your plans for non-motorized transportation?

Rick Hannold – Island County has a world class trail system. We’re working to allow electric bicycles on those trails. And we’re working on the non-motorized trail plan.

Janet St Clair – Island County can and should influence ferry policy. The Clinton trail would certainly have helped. I want to increase non-traffic-generating options.

7. Is climate change real, and how is it impacting Island County?

Janet St Clair – I agree with the climate scientists. I work to address climate issues and to educate the public. I try to teach them to protect what they love.

Rick Hannold – I agree that the climate is changing. I question the cause. Humans do have an impact but there is no single cause for climate change. There is a carbon tax on the ballot. The US population has increased by 47% but carbon has only increased by 7%.

8. What do you think of the Growth Management Act?

Rick Hannold – It affects everything. We’re working with the legislature to give it some flexibility. It doesn’t fit Island County.

Janet St Clair – Yes, I’m familiar with GMA. I’ve read it, and I’ve read the county’s comprehensive plan. We do need flexibility, but not to pave the islands, lose our  forests, and all the other effects of over-development. We want to grow smart and carefully.

9. Please tell us about yourself.

Janet St Clair – Thank you to the organizers. Democracy works when we all show up. I am responsive and respectful, and want to work together to serve the public. We all want strong communities and a thriving economy.

Rick Hannold – Thanks everybody. I’m asking for another four years. I have many points in common with my opponent, but I believe in limited government which does not intrude on people’s lives. I am a fiscal conservative.


Island County Sheriff
Rick Felici – R
Lane Campbell – R

1. What are your 3 greatest priorities?

Rick Felici – The biggest issue is staffing. That affects everything. We need to find the additional resources to increase staff. Second, being pro-active on drug enforcement. Thirdly, because of our limited resources we need to collaborate with other community resources.

Lane Campbell – First, drugs are killing our communities. I want a dedicated drug detective and a K-9. Second – staffing. Third – community partnership.

2. How do you decide what staffing you need and how to deploy them?

Lane Campbell – I would work with the county commissioners and the various agencies. We are losing people to bigger agencies. I want to keep those qualified people. I will watch how it has been run and then change what needs changing. You are my boss. I will be better organized and bring needed resources.

Rick Felici – My staffing criteria are to bring the biggest resource to the biggest problem. There are 3 distinctly different geographical districts. We barely have enough deputies to staff all of them 24/7. We need more.

3. You both mention a shortage of deputies. How do you attract and retain staff?

Rick Felici – Its not just about the pay. There is opposition to changes in shift scheduling. We need to work out contract negotiations.

Lane Campbell – I’ve talked to people who are leaving and pay is a big deal. Oak Harbor pays $1500.00/month more than Island County. And housing is expensive.

4. How will you deal with drugs/opiates?

Lane Campbell – I work with these people every day. We’ve got to get a handle on it. Arizona v Gann limits our ability in discovery. A K-9 will get us into boats, cars, etc. I will not let this place turn into Seattle.

Rick Felici – Yes, we have a drug problem. It is no worse than in other jurisdictions. A dog is a tool, but it is not the only tool. I favor a 3 prong approach: enforcement, education, and treatment.

5. Tell us about community policing.

Rick Felici – Policing requires community participation. We need to help involve the community. We need to communicate better. We are now training a drug investigator. We can use better outreach.

Lane Campbell – I’m a hands-on guy. I love the participation and the personal contact. I love being out on the road.

6. Would you cooperate with ICE?

Lane Campbell – The county’s Hispanic population is mostly in Oak Harbor. They do not cause problems. We don’t seek them out. If a warrant is issued and if they are dangerous, we will take them in. We do not and will never seek them out and turn them over to ICE.

Rick Felici – Provide information to ICE? Maybe, but only if they present a criminal warrant.

7. How will you deal with mental health and homelessness issues?

Rick Felici – We are involved by default. Communities expect public safety. We are seeking grant funding to work with other agencies. Often there are also drug issues involved.

Lane Campbell – I deal with this every day. We offer services every day. We can’t force them to accept those services.

8. What new technologies are available?

Lane Campbell – I want to try to cut down on paperwork. I want to use Dragon voice recognition to autofill reports. Some of the guys are slow on computers. A dog is another technology. I want to cut the head off the snake of drugs.

Rick Felici – New technology is expensive but we do update regularly. One new tech we’re using is computer forensics. Another is the use of drones, which is a great tool for finding lost children, Alzheimer’s patients, and others.

9. Tell us about yourself.

Rick Felici – I’ve been a cop a long time. I’ve been an Island County sheriff since 1994. I’ve done patrol, detective, I’ve been a patrol supervisor and a detective supervisor. I’ve lived and worked in all 3 districts.

Lane Campbell – I’ve been a cop for 37 years, 28 of them in Island County. I’ve worked for various agencies. I’ve seen what does and doesn’t work. I want to keep our quality of life. I am dedicated to you, your children, and your future. I want to bring about change.

After the event I approach Rick Felici and asked him the question I put to every sheriff: There is the practice we call “recreational bulldozing” which usually begins after work hours on Friday and is all done by Sunday evening. Would he be willing to send a deputy to such a situation and ask the bulldozing party to hold off until Monday when county staff can evaluate it?  I was rather pleasantly surprised when Mr Felici told me that he remembered talking to me about one of these recreational bulldozing events in Greenbank many years ago. He said that, staff permitting, he would indeed send a deputy, realizing that they have no authority in a civil case. This makes big points with me.

I have posted an email to pose the same question to Mr Campbell and have now received the following response:

Hi Marianne,

This is something that I do on a weekly basis.  I work directly with the public 40 to 60+ hours a week.  This job isn't always about putting people in jail, in fact most the time I find myself negotiating peaceful solutions to rather complex problems.  After 37 years of doing this job I will continue to seek for solutions that work for everyone.  Ultimately, I have no problem seeking a solution for you.  Just bare in mind that you are absolutely correct when you said that this is a civil matter in which your neighbor does not have to comply with by law.  That being said nothing ventured, nothing gained.  Thank you for your question.

Lane Campbell 


State Representative, legislative district 10

position 1
Scott McMullen – D
Norma Smith – R, incumbent

position 2
Dave Paul – D
Dave Hayes – R, incumbent

1. How would you protect the quality of life on south Whidbey?

Dave Hayes – Island County is very unique. It needs services and policies. There’s the Clinton Community Council and the Ferry Advisory Committee. They are part of the solution for traffic and the ferry. My priorities are public safety, mental health. I have helped create the (sorry, I can’t remember what it stands for) LE0 in Snohomish County.

Dave Paul – My focus is education and the problem of reduced services. I want to see more affordable housing. A clean environment creates a better quality of life. Climate change is in fact caused by humans and we need to protect our environment for our own sake.

Norma Smith – I’m local. I live in Clinton. My focus is economic development, housing, quality of life, conservation, data privacy, and educational quality.

Scott McMullen – I want to protect our environment, work on mental health issues, and education.

2. How would you improve infrastructure in Clinton?

Dave Paul – I would listen to people. Ask folks in Clinton and Mukilteo what they need. Maybe ferry reservations would help. I want to look into alternatives to cars, improving light rail. I want to advocate for you.

Dave Hayes – traffic safety is my specialty. I would look into safety grants for sidewalks and crossings, and would advocate for those things. I would look into the ferry routes. You have a voice. (This is the second time he has run over his time by a significant amount).

I missed the responses from Norma Smith and Scott McMullen because my pencil broke. Sorry.

3. What are your legislative priorities?
Norma Smith – Mental health. I wrote the budget for that program. The legislature disliked the draft produced by the executive. This is historic. There is a $180 million capital budget for mental health. Data privacy – I’m fighting for your privacy. Housing affordability.

Scott McMullen – Education, transportation, and public safety. The McCleary decision was a good first step but we need more.

Dave Hayes – Mental health and addiction. I created the Snohomish County Diversion Center and embedded social workers with cops on the beat. I passed a bill to write grants for these programs.

Dave Paul – Education. A property tax to fund McCleary is wrong. We need to reduce the corporate tax exemptions. A capital gains tax would be more fair. Mental health services need to be properly funded.

4. Do you support or oppose I-1631, a fee on fossil fuels, with proceeds to be spent to reduce the need for those fuels and to repair the damage done by those fuels?

Scott McMullen – I support 1631. I’m looking at how to protect jobs, maybe introduce apprenticeships, in the transition to a clean energy economy. We need to protect the environment.

Dave Hayes – I am not a climate change denier but I do not support 1631. Whether you call it a fee or a tax, it’s a tax on pollution. The consumer will be hit the hardest. Gas and groceries will cost more. There is no tangible benefit. (Once again, he has run well over his time).

Dave Paul – We need this measure to deal with climate change. My biggest concern is affordability and how we replace oil jobs with green jobs.

Norma Smith – I sit on the energy committee and I will vote NO on 1631. Washington is opposite the rest of the country. Most of our energy is fossil free. We can work WITH the utilities, including the investor owned utilities and be responsible.

5. In light of the current partisan divide at the federal level, how will you deal with the opposite party?

Dave Hayes – I practice civility in politics. We have to go beyond bipartisanship and reach out to stakeholders. Look at I-940 about police accountability. House Bill 3003 was the legislative response to that initiative. I brought the various sides together. In spite of our agreement, 940 is still on the ballot. I hope it is defeated.

Dave Paul – Bipartisanship is a big part of why I am running. It is important to find common ground. I will work with everybody. I will share the agenda and the policy.

Norma Smith – I’m always bipartisan in all of my issues, such as on line privacy and net neutrality. DNR gave me an award for my work on forestry issues.

Scott McMullen – My first priority is doing the right thing. I have signed the “with honor” pledge to reach across the aisle. My father was in the house and the senate and always worked across the aisle. He is my role model.

6. How will you deal with education issues?

Dave Paul – I am an educator. I could talk forever on this subject. We can help create pathways to living wage jobs. We can talk to kids in middle school about planning their future. We can help reduce student debt. Education means teaching critical thinking skills.

Norma Smith – We’re dealing with the feedback from McCleary. We have doubled the education budget over the last 10 years. What works? What doesn’t? I led the program for seismic testing of our school buildings. I want every child to love learning and to achieve their dreams.

Scott McMullen – Education needs funding. The 1% need to pay their fair share. I would look into a capital gains tax and apprenticeship programs.

Dave Hayes – We need to maintain current funding. As it is education eats 51% of the state budget. I want to look at vocational education and special ed, as well as school counselors. The legislature must stop creating unfunded mandates.

7. What incentives would you provide for affordable housing?

Norma Smith – There is the Housing Trust Fund, and there are grants. The Housing Finance Committee operates outside the budget to grant affordable housing loans. We spend $20 million to house the chronically mentally ill. We need regulatory reform to ease permitting.

Scott McMullen – I understand and sympathize with people in need. I volunteer at several service centers. We need to increase the housing trust fund and to increase incentives to contractors.

Dave Hayes – I support the housing trust fund but funding is not the issue. We need to address cost drivers, to cut the red tape and create flexibility on land use issues and environmental impacts. We need to loosen GMA.

Dave Paul – I don’t like loosening regulations. New development outside Urban Growth Areas is by definition not affordable. I want to encourage greater housing stock inside our UGAs. I want to encourage apartments. We can work on permitting, but don’t relax the regulations.

8. What do you think of dark money in politics?

Scott McMullen – I believe in fair and free elections. I oppose dark money and think we need to work on this issue. I don’t have any plan just yet.

Dave Hayes – Yes, I have concerns. Washington’s Public Disclosure Commission has a great set of rules but that doesn’t affect federal disclosure rules.  I have serious concerns about the idea of an amendment to the Constitution. That is a big deal and could open up a can of worms. We just need proper constraints.

Dave Paul – I am a political scientist by training. The amount of money being spent on these state races is obscene. I would focus on reducing the cost of campaigning at the state level. I believe we can talk to voters to overcome money in politics.

Norma Smith – Check out the Public Disclosure Commission. As for a Constitutional amendment, yes there is genuine concern about money in politics, but there are also people who want to address the federal debt, term limits, and other issues. . . (she ran out of time and stopped).

9. Tell us about yourself.

Dave Hayes – Thanks to everyone who put on this event and all who attended. I’ve been in pubic service my entire adult life. I’ve been a police officer for 24 years. Public policy is important. We need to look at how it affects people. We need good policy. I’ve been successful in the legislature and I want to continue.

Dave Paul – I want to make sure all voices are heard and everyone is represented. Dave Hayes voted against the ban on bump stocks and against ending “gay conversion therapy”. I agree that addiction issues require bipartisanship. I will lead on these issues.

Norma Smith – It has been an honor to serve you. I’m a home girl. Everything I do is bipartisan.  I ask you to be good ancestors. I initiated the solar panel recycling program and the forest health program. I brought $30 million to the 10th legislative district. I will give it my very best.

Scott McMullen – You want my personal history? I am a firefighter. I served 8 years on the Mt Vernon city council. I want to help the average person. Dave Paul and I will go to Olympia and make a difference. Check Vote Smart for Norma Smith’s voting record and then ask my opinion.


And thus the evening ended. It was a bit of a marathon and I found myself mightily frustrated because 1.5 minute is just not long enough give a coherent statement on much of anything. And there was no opportunity for dialog between opponents. I’m still trying to figure out how we can arrange these events so they end in a finite amount of time but still allow for genuine debate.




I have refrained from commenting on the statements above, even if some of them are whaling whoppers of the grandest sort. I figured I ought to give a report rather than commentary. But comment I will, when we get to the election blog post.