Courtney, Takko debate issues at public forum
Tuesday, September 27, 2005 8:27 AM PDT
By Don Jenkins
Printable version
E-mail this articleA Castle Rock Republican seeking to unseat state Rep. Dean Takko, D-Longview, said Monday that the Democratic-controlled Legislature was "irresponsible" to lift the state's spending limit.
"The candidate who will protect your pocketbook is me, Dawn Courtney," said Courtney at a candidates' forum at the Cowlitz PUD auditorium in Longview.
Takko, appointed to represent the 19th District late last year, said lifting the limit allowed the state to pay teachers more, reduce K-12 class sizes, extend health insurance to more low-income families and let more students into college.
"When you go up to Olympia, you're not just going up to cut taxes, you're going up to work with people and solve problems," Takko said.
About 60 people attended the forum at which candidates for several offices spoke and answered questions.
The third candidate for 19th District representative, Castle Rock Libertarian Judi Roberts Fiest, said she offered an alternative to Democrats or Republicans, though usually "a wall goes up" when she tells a voter her party affiliation.
"I'm totally, completely convinced this government --- statewide, nationwide --- is too big, too awkward. It doesn't work well. It needs to get smaller," she said.
Courtney asserted that "King County elites" rule state government and criticized Takko for supporting a "death tax" on the heirs of multimillion-dollar estates.
"When my opponent voted for that, that was a slap in the face of the hard-working people in our community," she said.
Democrats dedicated estate taxes to education spending, including funding two voter-approved initiatives. "I think the voters wanted these things," Takko said.
Takko said he and other 19th District legislators shouldn't be lumped in with King County lawmakers. He said he and Sen. Mark Doumit, D-Cathlamet, and Rep. Brian Blake, D-Aberdeen, advocate for natural resource industries.
"Blake, Doumit and myself work as a team," he said.
Also at the forum, Longview Port commission candidate Bill Lehning said the port must recruit companies more aggressively.
"Jobs won't show up," he said. "We must market our port."
Incumbent Commissioner Dan Buell, seeking a third six-year term, said it's hard to find companies willing to invest millions to make the port prosper.
"Money is not all that easy to come by," he said.
Kelso City Council candidate John Karnofski said there was a "disconnect" between the city and residents, particularly business owners.
"If you're going to bring back jobs to this area, you have to work with business leaders," he said. "There needs to be a change in Kelso, a change for the better, and I will be that change."
His opponent, incumbent Councilman Jack Keolker, said he thinks the city has a good relationship with businesses and called himself an "activist" council member with ideas.
"I've been accused of being a community leader. I like that," he said.
The other Kelso councilman up for election, Don Gregory, said the city, despite a small tax base, has remodeled the train depot, built a new Allen Street Bridge and opened a new City Hall without additional burden to city taxpayers.
"All in all, Kelso is doing pretty good," he said. "It could use a better tax base."
His opponent, challenger Dan Myer, did not attend.
The Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce and League of Women Voters hosted the forum. They will hold another one at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the PUD auditorium for Longview City Council candidates.
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