County commission candidates offer few specifics

Yakima County commissioner candidates offered broad generalities but few specifics in a Monday night forum, where questions ranged from economic development to illegal immigration and county budget priorities.

Republican Kevin Bouchey of Toppenish and Democrat Jesse Farias of Wapato appeared before a sparse crowd of about 30 people in the Greater Yakima Chamber of Commerce-sponsored forum at The Seasons Performance Hall on North Naches Avenue.

The 35-minute question-and-answer session exposed few differences between the two candidates, both Valley natives. Farias is currently the mayor of Wapato with a lengthy record of public service, while Bouchey has operated a diversified family farm near Toppenish for 27 years.

Each wants to succeed Republican Ron Gamache of Yakima, who lost in the primary in a bid for a third term representing District 2, which covers a portion of Yakima and that part of the county west of the Yakima River. The district includes the sprawling Yakama Indian Reservation.

The one surprising question during the forum dealt with whether the sheriff's office should report all undocumented workers they encounter.

Farias, 63, while saying deputies must uphold all laws, added the slow response from federal immigration authorities would clog the county jail.

Bouchey responded he fears such an approach would overburden a sheriff's office already stretched thin.

"We need a federal look at immigration. That is what will solve this issue," the 48-year-old Bouchey said.

Both candidates were asked to list three changes they would support in the state Growth Management Act, the 1990 law that seeks to reduce urban sprawl.

Farias, who spent 23 years with the state employment Security Department and later stints as director of state Veterans Affairs and on the state Liquor Control Board, responded the law is cumbersome and difficult for small communities to follow.

Bouchey said he couldn't offer specific changes, adding the law is designed for Western Washington and not for the growth needs in the eastern half of the state.

On the issue of the county budget and its labor costs, Bouchey said commissioners need to set priorities and find ways to streamline service to reduce costs.

Farias said commissioners should involve the county's more than a dozen bargaining units to find solutions.

"You will encounter some resistance. But you need to develop a plan with them hand-in-hand. They need to be part of the discussion," Farias said.

Both said county government, particularly planning, needs to be more customer friendly to encourage development that helps the local economy.

* David Lester can be reached at 577-7674 or dlester@yakimaherald.com.

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