Gibboney directs Tharinger campaign

Sam Gibboney of Port Townsend is the new campaign chairwoman for Steve Tharinger, a Clallam County commissioner running on the Democratic ticket for Position 2 in the 24th Legislative District, which covers Clallam, Jefferson and Grays Harbor counties.

Gibboney has an interest in politics. She recently was the top vote-getter in an election for three seats on the Food Co-op board and she tossed her hat into the ring for a position on the Jefferson County Public Utility District 1 board earlier this year.

Gibboney is owner of ISE Consultants, an environmental consulting firm in Port Townsend.

Tharinger is serving his third term as a commissioner. With one year left in his four-year term, he expects to keep the commission seat if elected to the Legislature. He plans to remain an active county commissioner while serving in Olympia. He said that if elected, during the legislative session he would continue to participate in Clallam County commissioner meetings via telephone.

Nurses endorse Dwyer in 24th District

Montesano chiropractor Jack Dwyer has been endorsed by the United Staff Nurses Union Local 141, which represents 4,500 registered nurses throughout Washington.

Dwyer, who is running as a Democrat for Position 2 in the 24th Legislative District, also has been endorsed by the Washington Chiropractic Trust, representing chiro-practors in the state.

At a forum in Sequim, Dwyer spoke about some state workers who have been required to accept furloughs or reductions in hours and benefits. Dwyer said if legislators are going to take such action, "then we should be willing to accept the same thing."

If he is elected, Dwyer said, and should furloughs be required of employees, he also would take a day without pay and would ask other legislators to do the same.

Van De Wege law shifts tug funding

A new law promoted by Rep. Kevin Van De Wege (D-Sequim) has taken effect and shifted funding of the Neah Bay rescue tug from public to private funding.

Van De Wege, running for re-election for Position 1 in the 24th District against two Republican challengers, called the shift "potentially the greatest day of my legislative career."

The measure required that, on July 1 financial support for the rescue tug would shift from the state general fund to a private fund set up by the cargo and oil industries, whose ships are the beneficiaries of the tug.

The shift is expected to save taxpayers $3.6 million per year, according to Van De Wege. He added that the legislation ensures that the tug will remain based in Neah Bay.

Another key sponsor of the 2009 legislation was Sen. Kevin Ranker.