Stevens County

Thu., Oct. 29, 1998

By John Craig johnc@spokesman.com

Stevens County Prosecutor Jerry Wetle has a challenger for the first time in the 18 years he has held the office, and Sheriff Craig Thayer has two challengers.

Also on the Nov. 3 ballot, voters in the Rice, Daisy, Gifford, Orin and Summit areas must decide whether to tax themselves up to 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed value and form a new Fire District 12. Fire District 8 voters are asked to establish a six-year emergency medical service levy of 25 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.

Here is a look at Stevens County candidates:

Prosecutor: Democratic challenger Jim Irwin, 48, moved to Stevens County from Spokane in July 1996 to work for the Skok & Monasmith law firm. Republican incumbent Jerry Wetle, 52, moved to Colville in 1976, and has been active in youth sports programs.

Commissioner: Democrat Tom McKern, 56, served eight years as a county commissioner before being defeated in 1994. He is a Rice-area rancher and manager of the county weed board. Republican Vickie Strong, 40, has been the Kettle Falls clerk-treasurer for a decade.

Sheriff: Republican Ken Scalf, 81, of Addy, moved to the county 11 years ago and wants to champion constitutional rights. Democratic incumbent Craig Thayer, 40, was a Colville attorney before being elected sheriff four years ago, and previously worked for the sheriff’s office for 14 years, mostly as a sergeant. Reform Party candidate Don Thuillard, 52, of the Northport area, said he is a native of Canada who came here about six years ago.

Auditor: Republican Leonard Carlson, 54, of Suncrest, has lived in the county 21 years. He said he has spent 30 years in management positions with large corporations. Democratic incumbent Tim Gray, 43, was a Colville accountant and a former city councilman before being appointed auditor in December 1992.

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