Platform :
Thurston County Commissioner Mission Statement
The three member county commission is both a local government and and subdivision of state government. Its primary responsibility is serving as the general purpose local government and legislative authority outside city limits. Many county responsibilities are mandated by state law; others are permitted by state law allowing considerable local discretion. The commission is responsible for county policies relating to public safety and health, community development, human services, environmental protection, solid waste, county finance, transportation, parks and recreation, and other state legislative directed duties.
Capitol Lake :
Should Capitol Lake stay a Lake or be turned into an Estuary?
I have had several emails asking my opinion on this issue.
I support Capitol Lake remaining a Lake. Even though there are some environmental benefits with the estuary. My opinion is that the lake has a greater value to our community and the beauty of our downtown area than the estuary would provide. Keeping the lake would also help the Port of Olympia to be able to operate as it was intended. In an interview with Dick Poost from KGY Radio on August 10, 2009 I was able to express my opinion on the lake vs estuary, I would be open to a dredging of the South end of the lake in order to create some sort of an enhanced wet land, leaving the North end as the pristine lake that it is. At this time I am not clear on the roll that the County Commission will play in the decision making, I would hope that they would get the opinion from the over all community and use the communities input for any roll they may play in the decision process.
