We’re down to the last few weeks of the current election cycle, and I can say the Lewis County sheriff’s race has been the most interesting.
For example, I was surprised to learn there is a “good old boys” club that doesn’t want Tracy Murphy in there, afraid of what he’ll find.
I just wonder where the club is and who the official members are.
Suggestions of corruption or a “good old boys club” by some supporters is hard to believe. But Facebook is a great place to read about the conspiracy to keep Murphy, who was fired from the Centralia Police Department, from holding elected office.
It seems like if any of that were true, there would be some actual evidence we could see. I haven’t seen any at this point, but what remains clear is that it’s not clear at all.
I support Gabriel Frase for sheriff, and I can say without question he is an honorable, honest and qualified candidate. He’s served in many positions in the sheriff’s office, most recently as a bureau chief, and in my view has the most relevant experience to be sheriff.
Throughout this campaign, Gabe has remained focused on issues important to me. He hasn’t involved himself in the drama surrounding Murphy.
What Murphy is accused of — dishonesty — is a significant charge, and one I am concerned about. Several witnesses have been identified in The Chronicle’s reporting, supporting the allegations he denies.
And he’ll get a arbitration hearing in the next few weeks, which he’s entitled to.
But I believe Gabe is the best choice for sheriff. I encourage people to vote for Frase for sheriff.
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I also have decided I think Scott Brummer should be re-elected as Lewis County commissioner. I can’t say I always agree with decisions the commissioners make, but I can say it doesn’t matter.
Agreeing all the time seems an unreasonable standard.
Clearly, there will be some difficult financial decisions in the future, and I believe he’s the best person to make them.
Vote Brummer.
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I’ve had some concerns about Lewis County Corner Warren McLeod for some time, most recently due to the Aron Christensen case. The failure of the coroner to go to the scene and view the victim, which is his job, because of the risk of a bear, was ridiculous as an excuse. Determining manner and cause of death is his role, and had he done that before the victim had been removed from the scene, perhaps this unfortunate case would have been resolved differently.
I’m supporting Jessica Stickley.
She is qualified and has the training for the position. And, most important to me, she has a fresh perspective, which I think is missing.
Vote Stickley for coroner.
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I’ve known John Braun for a long time. I worked for him for about 13 years, and he’s smart, pragmatic, and has the good sense we need in Washington, D.C.
He also has a lot of experience in business. He and his family have built a significant manufacturing business here and employ a lot of our local citizens. He is very aware of how much foolish regulations impact his company’s ability to remain competitive as he competes in many states that have more favorable business climates.
As a state senator, he is widely respected and worked well with others and across the aisle to try and slow down reckless spending in a Democrat-controlled state government. The Democrats, by the way, have run everything in our state for a while, and badly, which even Democrat former governors Gary Locke and Christine Gregoire have said.
We need a thoughtful, competent representative to go back to Washington, D.C., and help resist the suddenly (and sadly) democratic socialist agenda that seems so popular it's scary.
Vote John Braun for Congress.
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As for the income tax, I’m voting for the initiative to repeal it.
It’s been widely reported that language that would have protected everyone but the wealthy was deliberately excluded, which begs the question — why?
Not really.
We know why it will include all of us just as soon as they run out of money due to out-of-control spending again. It also has been recently reported they will include the income tax on pensions, which hasn’t been widely touted by our governor as a reason to support it.
They passed the income tax as an “emergency” — even though it doesn’t kick in for several years, which to me redefines the word “emergency”.
Repeal it.
As for the others on the ballot, protect our kids and keep boys out of girls sports and spaces.
That seems like common sense, but common sense is not as common as it should be.
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John McCroskey was Lewis County sheriff from 1995 to 2005. He lives outside Chehalis and can be contacted at musingsonthemiddlefork@gmail.com.
