Published: Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Candidates split over transit costs
A big difference between incumbent Rep. Hans Dunshee and his opponent Larry Countryman lies in their views on transportation issues.
Countryman, a former Snohomish city councilman who is a Republican, said that the state probably has enough money to ease traffic congestion but state leaders are not using the money wisely to address urgent problems.
"We need to spend not as much money on mass transit," Countryman said. "We need to fix roads and congestion."
Dunshee, a Snohomish Democrat who is seeking his eighth two-year term in the 44th Legislative District, said that the state should continue to improve roads and diversify transportation options.
"I don't think we spend enough on transit," Dunshee, 54, said. "Most people are going in that way.
The two are facing off in the November general election for the district, which stretches between Mill Creek and Marysville east of I-5.
Dunshee said his top issues include developing alternative energy such as biofuel and bringing a University of Washington branch to Snohomish County. He said he secured a $500,000 state grant for a new $1.2 million center in Cathcart to dry and store canola seeds, steps needed to turn them into biodiesel.
"The prices of gas are breaking people's backs," Dunshee said. "We need to give them alternatives."
Dunshee, the vice chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said that his experience in Olympia should help Snohomish County add the UW campus. Dunshee said he also has skills to balance the state's budget in difficult times by cutting spending and using reserves.
"You need to do it carefully in a balanced way," he said. "I've done it before."
Countryman said his opponent has stayed in Olympia for too long and accomplished too little for the district.
"He's been there for 14 years. I don't see he has accomplished that much," Countryman, 67, said.
The state will probably face a budget deficit next year due to the slow national economy, Countryman said, adding that he's more in tune with regular people than Dunshee. Countryman said he has raised six children and owned small businesses, including a bed and breakfast in downtown Snohomish.
"To do that and succeed gives me wisdom to make right decisions and choices," he said, adding that Dunshee is "a career politician" who is out of touch with his constituency.
Countryman is known for self-publishing cartoon coloring books that mock political foes. He's not planning to do one this year, but he said he has some other ideas.
If elected, his goal is to deal with the budget deficit without raising taxes, Countryman said. Education is his priority, he added.
"My goal is to get more money down to classrooms, not spent on administration or other amenities that school districts have," he said.
Dunshee said he has brought more money for school constructions in the district because education is among his top issues. Dunshee said he used to own a septic design business firm and a wood boat repair business before becoming a state lawmaker.
"I spend a lot of time listening to people, door-belling," he said.
Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com.
44th Legislative District
Larry Countryman
Age: 67
Hometown: Snohomish
Education: Associate arts degree in liberal arts, Big Bend Community College
Party affiliation: Republican
Experience: Served on the Snohomish City Council for 12 years. Owns a bed-and-breakfast business in downtown Snohomish
Web site: None
Hans Dunshee
Age: 54
Hometown: Snohomish
Education: Bachelor of Arts in anthropology, the University of Washington; master's degree in political science and environmental policy, Western Washington University
Party affiliation: Democrat
Experience: State representative for 14 years, former septic design business owner and former Snohomish County planning commissioner
Web site: www.hansdunshee.com
Countryman, a former Snohomish city councilman who is a Republican, said that the state probably has enough money to ease traffic congestion but state leaders are not using the money wisely to address urgent problems.
"We need to spend not as much money on mass transit," Countryman said. "We need to fix roads and congestion."
Dunshee, a Snohomish Democrat who is seeking his eighth two-year term in the 44th Legislative District, said that the state should continue to improve roads and diversify transportation options.
"I don't think we spend enough on transit," Dunshee, 54, said. "Most people are going in that way.
The two are facing off in the November general election for the district, which stretches between Mill Creek and Marysville east of I-5.
Dunshee said his top issues include developing alternative energy such as biofuel and bringing a University of Washington branch to Snohomish County. He said he secured a $500,000 state grant for a new $1.2 million center in Cathcart to dry and store canola seeds, steps needed to turn them into biodiesel.
"The prices of gas are breaking people's backs," Dunshee said. "We need to give them alternatives."
Dunshee, the vice chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, said that his experience in Olympia should help Snohomish County add the UW campus. Dunshee said he also has skills to balance the state's budget in difficult times by cutting spending and using reserves.
"You need to do it carefully in a balanced way," he said. "I've done it before."
Countryman said his opponent has stayed in Olympia for too long and accomplished too little for the district.
"He's been there for 14 years. I don't see he has accomplished that much," Countryman, 67, said.
The state will probably face a budget deficit next year due to the slow national economy, Countryman said, adding that he's more in tune with regular people than Dunshee. Countryman said he has raised six children and owned small businesses, including a bed and breakfast in downtown Snohomish.
"To do that and succeed gives me wisdom to make right decisions and choices," he said, adding that Dunshee is "a career politician" who is out of touch with his constituency.
Countryman is known for self-publishing cartoon coloring books that mock political foes. He's not planning to do one this year, but he said he has some other ideas.
If elected, his goal is to deal with the budget deficit without raising taxes, Countryman said. Education is his priority, he added.
"My goal is to get more money down to classrooms, not spent on administration or other amenities that school districts have," he said.
Dunshee said he has brought more money for school constructions in the district because education is among his top issues. Dunshee said he used to own a septic design business firm and a wood boat repair business before becoming a state lawmaker.
"I spend a lot of time listening to people, door-belling," he said.
Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com.
44th Legislative District
Larry Countryman
Age: 67
Hometown: Snohomish
Education: Associate arts degree in liberal arts, Big Bend Community College
Party affiliation: Republican
Experience: Served on the Snohomish City Council for 12 years. Owns a bed-and-breakfast business in downtown Snohomish
Web site: None
Hans Dunshee
Age: 54
Hometown: Snohomish
Education: Bachelor of Arts in anthropology, the University of Washington; master's degree in political science and environmental policy, Western Washington University
Party affiliation: Democrat
Experience: State representative for 14 years, former septic design business owner and former Snohomish County planning commissioner
Web site: www.hansdunshee.com
Comments
(
