Ousted Worker Seeks Hasson’s Job Former County Engineer, Caught In A Purge Last Summer, Runs For Top Office

A decorated former Spokane County engineer, ousted last summer, will challenge Steve Hasson next fall for county commissioner.

Ron Hormann plans to run as a Democrat in his first bid for public office.

“I’m really disappointed in our county government,” he said. “I think it needs something better. My biggest goal would just be to bring integrity back …”

Chances are that Hormann won’t get the support of Dennis Scott, Spokane County’s public works director.

Scott tried to demote Hormann as county engineer last summer, saying he wasn’t a team player. The action followed a management purge that led to three planners, the human resources director and the parks director losing their longtime jobs.

Hormann was eligible for retirement, so rather than take the downgrade, last year’s Washington state “County Engineer of the Year” quietly cleaned out his desk.

Co-workers, former colleagues and others who knew the mild-mannered Hormann were outraged at his treatment. They said he exemplified teamwork.

The rancor intensified when county commissioners, on Scott’s recommendation, filled Hormann’s job with a middle manager known for his Republican activism and for contributing to County Commissioner Phil Harris’ campaign.

“A lot of people have asked me, ‘Are you running because of sour grapes?”’ said Hormann, 55, a civic engineer who spent nearly half his life working for the county. “That’s not my intention.”

Scott accepts full responsibility for replacing Hormann and said his successor, Bill Johns, was the most qualified candidate.

Scott still has high praise for Hormann and said working with him would not be a problem.

“Ron is a really good guy,” Scott said. “I’ve never seen Ron act in a vindictive manner. I would hope that if I were doing my job, Ron would evaluate me on that.”

Harris, the commission chairman, said of Hormann: “I admire anybody who’s willing to step up to the plate and run for public office.”

Hormann said his agenda has no room for bitterness. He simply wants to restore public faith in county government, he said, and to make employees once again feel good about themselves and what they do.

In an interview at his Spokane Valley home, Hormann identified several current practices he hopes to stop or change:

Universally accepted standards for road and drainage construction would stop being skirted for the convenience of developers. Special interests now have too much influence, he said. Hormann noted the county no longer reviews project work submitted by outside engineers.

Cronyism would be outlawed. Managers would be hired based on qualifications reviewed by outsiders with expertise in that field.

The same with micromanagement. Department heads would be free to make decisions, to institute efficiencies and better service to taxpayers, instead of looking over their shoulders and fearing for their jobs.

Planning would occur on a long-range basis. For example, stormwater-management plans would be crafted for basins prone to flooding and erosion. Now, unstable areas such as Browne Mountain are overdeveloped and must be cleaned up after heavy rains, Hormann said.

Community-policing programs that rely on citizen volunteers would be beefed up to corral rising crime and the budget crises that follow.

“People have to take back their streets,” Hormann said. “It’s going to cost some money up front. But you have to have a vision. You’ve got to do some planning.”

Hasson, seeking his third term as a commissioner, is bracing for what could be a tough campaign.

“Being worried and running hard gets you elected,” Hasson said. “I think Ron is a very good man. The Democrats had to find a worthwhile candidate.

“They have with Ron.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo