Voters will go to the polls Aug. 4 to halve the list of four candidates seeking a commissioner’s seat on the West Sound Utility District No. 1 board.
The top two vote-getters will advance to the general election Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Susan Way, commission vice-chairwoman, is running for re-election for the Commissioner Position 3 seat. She is serving alongside chairman Jerry Lundberg and secretary James J. Hart. She is a medical bus driver for the Washington Veterans Home in Retsil.
Way has been a commissioner for the past 12 years. Her opponent in the primary race is Jeannie Screws, who served as a West Sound commissioner from 2008-2013. She was defeated in the 2013 general election by current commissioner Hart. Screws is Fiscal manager with Silverdale Water District. Candidate Kevin P. Long is a retired 18-year West Sound Utility District employee. He served as a water distribution specialist and manager during his employment with the district.
The fourth candidate who filed for the race, Angela Smith, did not respond to requests for information from the Independent or Kitsap County for its voter’s informational pamphlet.
The Independent asked the commissioner candidates for responses to the following questions:
What do you believe to be the biggest issue/challenge the West Sound Utility District No. 1 will be facing during your term, if elected?
Kevin P. Long:The biggest issue is having enough water and the proper-sized water pipes to supply water to a growing South Kitsap (region) and to fight any emergency fires. We also need to keep the great employees West Sound already has.
Jeannie Screws:I believe ensuring a high quality of water and efficient sewer service at the lowest possible cost has been and will continue to be the biggest challenge faced by the district. The operation and maintenance costs associated with operating a district are high, in and of themselves. When you add the costs of additional infrastructure to meet needs related to growth, coupled with the costs associated with meeting regulatory requirements, it becomes even more challenging to maintain reasonable rates.
It is up to the district to find solutions to provide these services without forcing people to choose between paying their water and sewer or buying groceries and/or needed medications.
Susan Way:One of the challenges that faces the district is our aging infrastructure. By reducing some of our debt and also by merging our two districts together, we saved the ratepayer $450,000 annually. This allows us to continuously maintain and replace our aging systems. Overall, the district is in good operating and financial order.
How will you address that issue/challenge?
Long:We need to get more water rights to dig more wells to supply the water needed and to replace undersize water mains in order to handle emergencies. We also need to get rid of employees who just drive around in circles all day in district trucks and don’t do the job they are paid to do.
Screws:I will address the challenges by identifying, evaluating and prioritizing needed infrastructure, operation and maintenance needs and realistically planning for those through the budget process. Just as we do with our home budgets, we must control expenses and eliminate unnecessary spending. I believe evaluating new technology and implementing that which prove to be cost-effective and provides a savings to the ratepayers plays a significant role in finding solutions to the challenge of controlling rates.
Why should voters choose you as a finalist over your opponents?
Long:After working 18 years at West Sound, I know the nuts and bolts of the system. I know what the customers want and what they don’t want after working in the field and going to custom homes to correct problems they may have.
If elected, any money received for attending meetings will be donated to the American Diabetes Association.
Screws:I believe the voters are the ones that determine which candidate best meets their needs. Each candidate brings their own set of skills and experience in the water and sewer industry from the perspective of a staff member, manager, a commissioner and a rate payer.
I strive to learn all that I can and do not form opinions or make decisions until I have researched an issue thoroughly. I consider how the decision I make will affect the public that I serve. More importantly, I possess the ability, drive and passion to not only listen to the community’s concerns, but to ensure they have a voice on the board.
Way:As a candidate I have 12 years’ experience as a commissioner. I am financially conservative, and as a single mother who has raised two children on a single income, I know the value of a dollar.
