Goals: boost growth, reduce regulation

For a first-timer, Kevin Bouchey has gotten this campaigning stuff down pretty well.

The Toppenish farmer, who turned 48 years old just two weeks ago, has attracted more than $64,000 to his county commission campaign, twice as much as his opponents combined.

More than half comes from farming interests.

He’s using the money for yard signs and advertising to introduce himself to the rest of the district. Bouchey and his wife, Renee, operate a 900-acre diversified farm — a farm his grandfather started — growing asparagus, potatoes and peppermint. Their two sons are in college.

He said the Central Washington Home Builders Association, whose political action committee donated $2,500 to his campaign, asked him to challenge incumbent Ron Gamache.

The primary reason: easing regulation and spurring economic development.

Bouchey’s primary objectives include growing the county’s agricultural base with value-added products, while at the same time boosting tourism and attracting more people to relocate here.

To accomplish those goals, Bouchey said the county needs to eliminate delays and confusion in the permitting and planning departments. He said many people have complained to him about inconsistent regulation and excessive time to obtain decisions.

His answer is to convene a committee of business and industry to advise commissioners on streamlining the process.

“I want to identify where the bottlenecks and problems are and sit down with the other commissioners and the development services staff and figure out some changes that have to be made if we are to have economic growth,” he said. “We have to do business differently than we are now.”

It is through economic development that the county will increase its revenues to provide services. He does not favor tax increases, although he does support extension of the three-tenths of 1 cent sales tax for criminal justice. The tax will expire in 2010 unless voters agree to extend it.

The fund, which will provide the county an estimated $5 million this year, is paying for more than 50 positions in the courts, sheriff’s office, security, clerk, assigned counsel and prosecuting attorney.

The money will help the county achieve another of Bouchey’s goals: combating crime and gangs.

He said the county needs to address a backlog of court cases.

Bouchey said county commissioners are in the right position to coordinate anti-gang efforts with all cities.

“The commissioners meet regularly with the mayors. That is an issue that can be brought forth,” Bouchey said. “To be fair, there have been discussions in that regard. But nothing has come together yet.”

Bouchey, who has served on a number of agriculture industry boards and commissions, said he wants to bring a common-sense approach to county government. He says common sense and business principles would have avoided the jail mess for which cost overruns left the county with half a project and a huge debt to pay.

“They put the cart before the horse without a business plan that was well-thought-out,” he said.

He also opposes the White Swan rail line decision and the relocation of the Douglas auto wrecking yard, calling both poor decisions.

He said he has reviewed the county budget, but hasn’t developed a position on where the county currently spends its money.

Bouchey also wants to study the issue of the new courts building recommended by a task force before taking a position.