Sissi Bruch

Our county is rich in history, beauty and natural resources. Though it sometimes feels like paradise, the present and future of our county present many challenges. We’ve had two mills close in the west end in July taking with them 12 percent of the wages for the Forks area. Marijuana is now bringing both many opportunities and challenges to our county.

In addition, we need to plan for the impacts of global warming, changing demographics (decrease in school-aged children and increase in retirees), and stringent regulations regarding our water resources.

We are facing a fairly complex set of issues that will require collaboration, research and transparency to reach workable solutions for our future.

I believe I can bring that to this position and that is why I am running for County Commissioner.

As an experienced city council member, I’m also a professional planner with 25 years of experience. My work as a project manager for site development and construction, taught me the practical, hands-on experience of budgets, deadlines, teamwork and understanding of county development policies.

Building schools and other community structures highlighted the need for community input and efficient ways of using nature to save on storm water management.

Many see conflict between economic growth and environmental stewardship. Nothing could be further from the truth – especially for our county. Our economic strength is our environment. Where would we be without our timber, salmon, agriculture or our National Park? If we fail our environment, we destroy jobs.

Our stunning scenery, clean air and water are Clallam County’s competitive edge in attracting new businesses and jobs.

I see good infrastructure as critical to economic development. This includes roads, broadband, schools, hospitals, and all the basics that have afforded us such a great quality of life here in this county. Good planning and smart use of our resources will ensure that future generations are able to have the same opportunities that we enjoy today.

I offer you my experience and my professional background. I have a PhD in planning and believe planning is imperative to achieve any vision we set. Diversity and good debate will make our County government stronger. We need to work more collaboratively with all the cities and tribes in our region and we need to use new innovative practices to move us into the future.

I will work to get county-wide input in setting the direction for our county. This includes helping our cities with their efforts to attract new businesses, comprehensive planning, finding ways for all cities, towns, and the county to collaborate on services such as trash and sewage sludge, and to ensure that our county’s infrastructure is maintained and updated.

I ask for your support, your vote and your wisdom to help in creating a new vision for Clallam County.

Bill Peach

(Peach declined to submit a candidate statement.)