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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Gop Commission Candidates State Their Cases To Chamber

Kate McCaslin preached accountability. Steve Hasson said customer service needs to improve. Don Manning talked tough on crime.

In one of the final opportunities to speak publicly before the primary election, the three Republican candidates for county commissioner on Wednesday addressed about 30 members of the Valley Chamber of Commerce local government committee.

The winner of Tuesday’s primary faces Democrat Ron Hormann in November’s general election for the right to represent residents of District 2, which covers the Valley south of the Spokane River.

McCaslin listed increasing community participation in county government and getting a handle on crime among her priorities, but focussed much of her discussion on accountability for elected officials.

She lashed out at the current county commissioners for failing to control the budget.

“The public sector should be a reflection of the private sector - no better, no worse,” said McCaslin, who owns separate catering and consulting businesses.

She answered critics who pointed out her lack of experience in county government by saying, “I don’t think it’s a prerequisite to be an insider to make change.”

Meanwhile, Hasson, the two-term incumbent, touted his experience as one of the reasons that should make him attractive for re-election.

“I understand all of the intimacies” of county government, Hasson said.

As for change, Hasson said his track record shows that he is all for it. One of those changes includes a switch to the Republican party last year.

“One of the defining things about Steve Hasson is he has stood up for his beliefs,” Hasson said. “I haven’t always done what was popular. I have rocked the boat a lot.”

Making changes includes encouraging the public to get involved, Hasson said. One of the ways he pledged to do that was by continuing to make county government more user friendly.

“We’ve tried to eliminate some of the courthouse shuffle,” Hasson said.

Manning agreed with Hasson on the need to improve customer service, taking it several steps further - to the lack of parking around the courthouse.

“We should be doing something about that so that you aren’t already agitated when you get inside,” Manning said, drawing laughter from the audience.

Manning went on to talk about evaluating DARE for its effectiveness. The retired sheriff’s captain is not convinced the program is working, and suggested redirecting its funding to other pressing needs in the sheriff’s department.

He cited the recent bombings and bank robberies in the Valley as examples of a pressing crime problem, which he called a regional concern.

The Growth Management Act was among Manning’s other concerns. The law infringes on the rights of property owners, he said, vowing to repeal or significantly amend it.

“County commissioners should be leading that fight in Olympia,” Manning said.

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