District 3 Commisioner Race: Ryan McAllister on the Issues

by | Jul 18, 2018 | Politics | 0 comments

We put the same questions to all four candidates in the race to replace Kathleen Kler as the Jefferson County District 3 Commissioner.  You can read the answers from Craig Durgan and Jon Cooke by clicking on their names.  Friday we will publish answers from Greg Brotherton.  Now it is Ryan McAllister’s turn.

Ryan is running as a Democrat.  As I have previously disclosed, long before I started the Free Press, when Ryan was the only candidate in race, I gave him my support.  We met during the campaign to stop Prop 1, a regressive property tax increase  in the name of “affordable housing.”  But it would have made housing less affordable with no real prospect of doing anything about the county’s housing crunch.  He stuck his neck out for the working poor and low-income homeowners in the county and incurred the wrath of the PT political establishment behind that very bad idea imported from Seattle. He judged the issue correctly.  District 3 voters saw it for what it was.  Quilcene voted “no” by an 8 to 1 margin, with  Brinnon and Port Ludlow not far behind.  District 2 crushed it.  Even Port Townsend voted it down.  Prop 1 lost in all but 2 precincts throughout the county.

I was impressed by his integrity and determination.  We come from nearly opposite sides of the political spectrum, but found we could talk honestly and with mutual respect about our different ideas–something so sorely lacking in today’s bitterly divided America.
Ryan is passionate about helping people, selflessly, as demonstrated by his early career choice of being a firefighter.  Jumping into a fire to save others–reminds me of how the Prop 1 fight looked when we started out.
Enough from me.  Make your own decision. Other good people have offered themselves in this race. We can be impressed with them, too.  Be informed about the issues and the candidates.  Now, let’s hear from Ryan McAllister.

1.  What do you see as the most critical need facing District 3 and what specifically will you do to address that need?

I will seek to create a Task Force to streamline the permitting process. The Task Force should be comprised of homeowners, contractors, septic designers, other stakeholders. 2. Much needed sewer systems for communities in south county to promote business and affordable housing. 3.High-speed Internet is critical infrastructure for rural communities to support local entrepreneurs and businesses. I will explore a public-private partnership. In 2018 internet is proving to be another vital utility such as water, power and sewer.
2.  There has been much talk of the need for regulatory reform by all the candidates in order to promote a more prosperous District 3.  Which regulations would you change and how?

As stated above I seek to streamline the Department of Community Development permitting process. The task force that I will create will be made up of professionals in the industry such as contractors, septic designers, developers, and other stakeholders. The goal of this task force will be to find SPECIFIC areas where the county can make changes to better and more effectively serve the community.

3.  What should the rest of the county, and Port Townsend in particular, be doing to alleviate the poverty and lack of economic opportunity in District 3?
I have a six-part plan that if elected I will institute to bring economic opportunities to the county. Community Planning, Infrastructure, Economic Development, Housing, Healthcare, and Environment. More info at www.ryanmcallister.net
4.  What would you like to tell voters about why you should be the next District 3 County Commissioner?
I am a young man who works hard for his community. I truly love our county and its rural character; my goal is to preserve and enhance that character. I will represent everyone in the county regardless of party affiliation because we are all neighbors who choose to live here.
Jim Scarantino

Jim Scarantino was the editor and founder of Port Townsend Free Press. He is happy in his new role as just a contributor writing on topics of concern to him. He spent the first 25 years of his professional life as a trial attorney, then launched an online investigative news website that broke several national stories. He is also the author of three crime novels. He resides in Jefferson County. See our "About" page for more information.

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