Lincoln County

First-term Lincoln County Commissioner Ted Hopkins is running on his record, but challenger Larry Lindbloom objects to the part in which Hopkins and other commissioners voted themselves a big raise.

Hopkins’ pay will go from $23,040 a year to $45,000 next year and to $46,350 in 2000 if he is re-elected.

Democrat Lindbloom, 55, is a former longtime Lincoln County auditor. He and Republican Hopkins, 52, have the only contested general election race in the county.

In other Lincoln County issues, the city of Sprague and Fire District 1, which serves the Sprague area, are seeking renewal of six-year levies for emergency medical service. The property tax levies each would collect 50 cents a year per $1,000 of assessed value.

Also, Park and Recreation District No. 3, which serves the Davenport area, is seeking a one-year $15,000 operating levy that would cost an estimated 11 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.

Hopkins cites his money-saving leadership in rebuilding the county courthouse after it was gutted by fire in December 1995 and his role in keeping property-tax growth below the inflation rate in the past year.

Lindbloom graduated from Wilbur High School and still lives in the community. He worked for nine years in the auditor’s office before being elected auditor in 1974. Since stepping down from the job in October 1992, he has worked for two farm-chemical supply companies. He currently is doing part-time invoicing and accounting work for McGregor Co. in Wilbur.

Hopkins graduated from Creston High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Eastern Washington University. He spent 20 years in the Army, retired in 1988 as a lieutenant colonel and returned to the Creston area as a rancher.