Sewer, water candidates offer mix of experience

As ballots start arriving in mailboxes next week, Liberty Lake voters have a choice between a long-serving incumbent and a relative newcomer for the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District Commissioner Position 2.

Darlene McHenry, whose in-laws lived in the area in the 1940s, moved to Liberty Lake four years ago. She’s taking on Frank Boyle, who has been with the district for 18 years and helped fight off an attempt by Liberty Lake’s previous mayor, Steve Peterson, to have the city take over the district in response to the area’s escalating demand for water and sewer services.

The attempted takeover created tension between the mayor and the district. Later, Peterson narrowly lost the mayor seat to Wendy Van Orman, who has not brought up the subject of a possible takeover and began collaborating with the district.

Boyle points to several accomplishments during his years with the district, including setting aside money to pay for a new sewage treatment plant without raising rates significantly. “I’m proud to say that during my time as commissioner the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District has been a leader in doing things that need to be done to protect the environment,” he said during a recent candidate forum.

McHenry cites her long history of public service as her qualification for the position. She served on the Issaquah City Council for six years and on numerous state boards and commissions, including the Public Works Board. Her knowledge and influence make her ideal when it comes to lobbying for state funds, she said. “I know how to get the money.”

Each candidate was asked to provide a 200-word statement describing their qualifications and why Liberty Lake residents should vote for them.

Frank Boyle

Personal: Boyle, 69, has served as a Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District Commissioner for 18 years. He worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 38 years, retiring as a manager. He is single.

Statement: The main challenge facing the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District is its role in the Spokane River cleanup. The district must meet standards that are still in the process of being determined by the Department of Ecology, Environmental Protection Agency and the Spokane River dischargers.

I will continue to provide leadership for the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District while working with the agencies and dischargers. I will protect the interests of Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District taxpayers while implementing the best technology available. My experience as commissioner has given me the knowledge of processes and the understanding of technical and scientific reports.

My work career as a manager includes budgets of millions of dollars and responsibility for the productivity of 600 or more employees. Some of the responsibilities included created safety programs and policy.

As a citizen of the Liberty Lake community I have worked on many committees and groups, which have created many amenities that we enjoy today. My record clearly demonstrates my concern, care and involvement in the Liberty Lake community.

Darlene McHenry

Personal: McHenry, 63, has lived in Liberty Lake for four years. She retired as executive director of the Washington State Utility Contractor Association. She has been married to her husband Del for 44 years and has two children.

Statement: A key issue for the Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District is properly anticipating the region’s residential and commercial growth and accommodating that growth without undue rate increases to current customers. In addition, federal and state agencies in the near future will impose mandates requiring more stringent treatment of stormwater and wastewater. Given my professional background and long years of dedicated public service, I believe I am in a unique position to enhance the commission’s ability to work cooperatively with the city, county and other relevant governmental entities, while at the same time securing available outside funding to finance expansion of water and treatment facilities and other needed improvements and system upgrades.

I will continue to provide unwavering environmental stewardship to protect the quality of the Spokane River, our region’s aquifer and our lake for current and future generation. I believe I will bring positive change, fresh ideas and perspectives, an expanded skill set and enhanced energy as a new member of the commission.