Chamber of Commerce hosts candidate forum

DAVENPORT- The local Chamber of Commerce sponsored a candidate forum July 14. The forum was held in the Davenport High School auditorium and featured the three treasurer candidates and five sheriff candidates.

Editor Drew Lawson of The Record-Times moderated the event.

Kathy Hedgcock and Mark Smith helped filter audience questions.

The forum began with opening statements from the treasurer candidates.

Mayor Brad Sweet, Emily Lybbert Hansen and Peter Brickner were given two minutes to introduce themselves.

Candidates were then asked what organizational strategies they would use while in office.

Each candidate was asked what strategies they would imply when working with big budgets.

"Our procedures are defined by the RCW," Hansen said. "We are very detail oriented and incredibly accurate."

Hansen, who currently works in the Lincoln County Treasurer's office, also pointed out that each process is seen by multiple individuals.

Peter Brickner repeated her sentiments, saying"There has to be dignity in the office and a business understanding."

"Working with school budgets, town council and public funds have been dealt with in a diligent manner," Sweet said.

The treasurer position is a full-time job and would require the elected candidate to be available.

The candidates were asked what would happen to their current endeavors if they were elected.

"I would resign the facilities manager position," Brickner said.

Brickner owns the Tribune Smokehouse and also works as a facilities manager for Lincoln County.

"If elected I would resign as Mayor," Sweet said, "But I would stay with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office due to low staffing."

Sweet works in the jail/dispatch office for the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office.

Hansen was asked if she wasn't elected if she would continue her current position in the Lincoln County Treasurer's office.

"It would be difficult to train my boss how to run the office," Hansen said. "If elected I would absolutely be there full-time."

There are five candidates for Lincoln County Sheriff: Andy Manke, Gabe Gants, Jeff Barden, Adam Johnson and Brian Telford.

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office is short staffed due to deputy retention nationwide.

Several deputies have left LSCO in the last two years and the candidates were asked how they would address the issue.

"Serve the people in your staff," Johnson said. "Treat them well. It will help them stay. Some will leave but more support for the deputies is needed."

"10 people have left," Telford said. "We need to treat them like family. Respect is a must."

"Teamwork makes the dream work," Gants said. "Know your staff, we are too small, you need to know your people."

"No one wants to be an officer right now," Barden said. "They're afraid to do their job. They need to treat their fellow deputies better."