The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WALLA WALLA – Democrat Randal Son is running against RepublicanTodd Kimball in a bid for Walla Walla County's District 2 commissioner seat. If elected, he will replace Perry Dozier, who is finishing out his second term in that seat and not seeking re-election.

Son has lived in the Walla Walla Valley for 45 years and has worked on farms, canneries, and as a painter and carpenter. He currently works as a transit operator, but plans to retire and focus fully on his role as commissioner, if elected.

Son studied rural sociology at Evergreen State College and philosophy and English at Whitman College. Son said he started the first farmer's market in Walla Walla and is pleased with the accomplishments he made in his 16 years as executive director of the Blue Mountain Humane Society.

When asked what he viewed as the most important role of a county commissioner, Son told The Times, "A commissioner must balance the county's provision of services, between need and revenue, across departments, and across all sectors of the community. To grow the tax base, commissioners should see that land use and zoning do not inhibit innovation and business growth, and should advocate in a variety of settings to attract investment and private/public partnerships."

"I'm a quick learner, a good listener, considerate, and ethical. I value efficiency, innovation, and function over flash. I look for ways to get things done. I am not tied to ideological answers, but to finding the right answers, and I don't hold grudges," said Son when asked what qualities make him a good commissioner candidate.

"I have broad experience. I've shaped farm business plans, and loaned money on those plans. I have hired and trained people and responsibly managed a big budget in hard times. I have closed sales to earn commissions. I've punched a clock to earn wages. I've negotiated working conditions and fair compensation. I was the turnaround Executive for the Humane Society. I have served on State and National rural policy committees. I've volunteered for Planned Parenthood, the Blues Society, and the Working Families Roundtable," he said.

Son listed an improved economy, safety, and transparency and accountability as the top issues he would like to see addressed in the county.

"We need to build a better local economy by encouraging family wage jobs through partnerships with towns and the Port, and advocacy, encouraging clean energy projects and jobs with streamlined permitting, and promoting discussion of economic development with all stakeholders.

"We need to protect the safety of the valley by fostering a community approach to reducing gang activity, supporting services to keep at-risk people from a criminal lifestyle, and ensuring we have law enforcement personnel to match the challenge.

"Transparency and accountability will be achieved by improved access to information about county decisions, smart spending to reduce costs long-term, and diversification of the gender, culture, and age of county advisory committees," Son said.

Son listed job opportunities as one of the challenges that is unique to District 2 constituents.

"Job opportunities are hard to come by outside of Walla Walla. I have already described my economic development ideas, and I will keep the needs of District 2 residents firmly in mind. I believe there are some opportunities for jobs and clean energy production in biomass projects, that could also help deal with the build-up of forest fuels on the east end of the county, Son said.

When asked how he would respond to requests for funding and salary increases from the Sheriff's Office, Son said he would rely on salary studies and revenue projections.

"My spending priorities are to continue the freeze on commissioner's salaries, restore furloughed hours in county departments, and support adequate personnel in the Sheriff's Office. Salary studies should establish fair compensation for comparable levels of responsibility. Revenue projections will determine how much can be spent. I will look for ways to increase total revenue without increasing the tax burden on individuals and businesses; i.e., growth," he said.

When asked why he is a better candidate for commissioner that his opponent, Son said:

"My opponent, in his 30 years here as an adult, has done some good things. We have similar core values, but in my 45 years here as an adult, I have developed a broader skill set, including strong fiscal management, strategic planning, policy development and coalition building.

"I do not have outside obligations to distract me from the commissioners' work. Taxpayers will get full value for the commissioner's salary every month of the year.

"I have broad, bipartisan support, from traditional and emerging local agriculture, business owners, labor organizations, non-profits, the wine industry, retirees, and wage earners."