Here are just a few examples of the comments left on The Olympian website in response to their endorsement choice for County Commissioner: 

         Pokey wrote on 10/15/2009 05:45:30 PM:

Ealier today, I planned to add my 2 cents' worth after getting home from work but see that pretty much all the commenters here have already done so... Pat Beehler is the obvious choice.

As an aside, I heard a radio commercial today where her co-commissioners did not directly endorse her but actually did so by agreeing to be a part of one of her campaign ads. A little too cozy for my liking. And since Sandra Romero is in the King-Snohomish County greenies' pockets (who are determined to dictate how Thurston County landowners are treated) I'd just as soon have someone on the commission with a local connection and some real experience in land-use issues.

Again, Pat Beehler is the only choice.

Beehler is the ONLY smart choice. I am very surprised that the Olympian would support her or any of the 3 current board members, when they have refused to provide any financial support to defend the County in the lawsuit against the County, the Treasurer and the Assessor brought by the Chehalis Tribe to avoid paying taxes at Great Wolf. They said in a recent open meeting that if the Prosecutor and the Assessor wanted to defend against this lawsuit they "should find the money in their own budgets."

Pat Beehler supporters (Ds & Rs) have many "compelling reason[s] why Valenzuela should be removed from office," but rather than focus on the negative aspects of someone who admittedly hopes to counter her anti-business reputation, we focus on Pat's "solid mix of public and private experience" & his "long list of community activities". Beehler has a strong understanding of the GMA, is committed to mixed-income housing in downtown Olympia, and limiting sprawl by providing housing around existing commercial zones, transportation corridors and transit lines to enhance the county's existing "urban villages." Valenzuela has been very much involved in party politics and governing long enough for voters to know that Beehler provides the best option for an effective and balanced commission. Karen wasn't elected, but used every political favor she could call upon for a single-party appointment. Patrick, on the other hand, stepped-up on his own to offer his service to mainstream county residents.

To see more please click link. http://www.theolympian.com/opinion/story/1003639.html

Commissioners aren’t in charge of Sheriff

In a recent article, Thurston County Commissioner Karen Valenzuela was quoted as saying Sheriff Dan Kimball was a department director whose budget she controls.

Sheriff Kimball is an independently elected official, and as such is neither an employee nor does he report directly to the commissioners.

In her executive capacity as commissioner, he is her peer.

In her legislative capacity, the commissioner does adopt the county budget. She does not, however, manage the sheriff’s office nor is she accountable to the public for his performance. He is.

If she provides a $20 million budget and Sheriff Kimball can keep the public safe and demonstrate achievement of clear performance measures with that money, how he administratively chooses to structure his office is his decision.

The problem is that the county continues to adopt budgets the same way as 30 years ago. They focus on positions and line item spending instead of programs, performance and outcomes. There are no performance measures known, tracked or agreed to.

The commissioners have all of the systems they design and the staff they hire still focused on line items and positions. This is why we are spending our time and money in court instead of delivering service to the citizens.

ROBIN L. HUNT
Thurston County Treasurer

This was a letter to the editor that was published in The Olympian.

Published August 19, 2009

Valenzuela, Beehler will face off
JOHN DODGE; The Olympian

Democratic incumbent Karen Valenzuela and Republican challenger Patrick Beehler are headed to the November general election in the Thurston County Commissioner District No. 3 race.

Valenzuela polled 44.5 percent of the 10,219 votes counted election night, followed by Beehler at 36.5 percent

The odd man out is Dan Venable, 57, a conservative Democratic hopeful, Thurston County native and environmental contractor with no previous political experience. He polled 18.6 percent of the vote.

The top two vote-getters earn a spot on the November general election ballot for a countywide race. Tuesday’s primary votes were limited to District 3, which encompasses western Thurston County, including west Olympia, Cooper Point and Tumwater.

“I’m looking forward to the general election race,” Valenzuela, 59, said. “We’re supported by completely different interest groups.”

Valenzuela predicted her environmental and growth management priorities will play well in the countywide race.

The former Tumwater city council member was appointed to the commission post in January 2009 by Gov. Chris Gregoire, filling the unexpired term of fellow Democrat Bob Macleod, who resigned for medical reasons.

She has spent the first eight months helping manage a major county budget crisis, clashing with Sheriff Dan Kimball over the Sheriff’s Office budget, and promoting county policies to preserve prairie lands, return Capitol Lake to a Deschutes River estuary and combat climate change.

Beehler, a 40-year resident of Thurston County, is a professional surveyor with a history of civic and business-minded activities, including work as a former chairman of the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce and as a 10-year member of the Thurston County Historic Commission.

In his first run for political office, Beehler, 64, has strong backing from the Olympia Master Builders and has been critical of Valenzuela’s handling of the county budget and rural land preservation tactics.

“I feel real good about it,” Beehler said of his second-place finish. “I look forward to campaigning in the rest of the county.”

Venable threw his support behind Beehler, saying the Republican challenger’s political positions are closely aligned with his.

“I think Valenzuela’s dealings with the sheriff’s department are out to lunch,” Venable said.

In the weeks leading up to the Tuesday primary vote, Beehler raised $24,238 and spent $18,502, according to state Public Disclosure Commission records. Valenzuela raised $22,306 and spent $13,280 while Venable raised $5,960 and spent $5,111.

The commission seat pays $105,276 a year and will be up for election again in 2010 for a four-year term.

John Dodge: 360-754-5444

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THURSTON COUNTY: McKenna weighs in on commissioner contest

THE OLYMPIAN BLOG Published August 6, 2009

State Attorney General Rob McKenna endorsed fellow Republican Pat Beehler in the Thurston County commissioner race, echoing a similar endorsement by the Thurston County Republican Party.

Beehler, a Tumwater surveyor, is running against Democratic appointee Karen Valenzuela and Democrat Dan Venable for the District 3 seat, which represents the western third of the county.

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