Still The One

This is my 5th video I made under the Douglas County Commissioner race- they are posted on youtube.com. Take A Chance on Me is the most popular one on youtube.com.

I remain committed to pushing for more 4 lanes in Douglas County, by wsdot- I hope you will contact those serving on Wenatchee Valley Transportation Council to make that a priority again, since they greatly influence DOT and where the money goes to. I know DOT will look at public comments on the roundabouts- you need to contact them as well- 667-3000.  I entered the race thinking we were more concerned about roundabouts and bike lanes than we were 4 lanes and no goals to handling increased traffic. I am not against roundabouts- but we need to provide where funds could come from for our ideas as well. It is not a matter of shortage of funds, it is a matter of priorities. I hope those pushing for a state tourism board will share where the money will come from- East Wenatchee already charges an extra 6% tax for those using our motels and my recent booking of a Spokane motel room for one night had almost 30.00 in taxes on a 149.00 bill. And I remain concerned that our landfill is filling up faster than projected with importation of garbage- that is about the only tax I would support without a vote f the people- we already tax cigarettes higher than normal, as do we motels, and the city also taxes cell phones and electricity higher than normal-so why not a tax on importation of garbage? I support Commissioner Jenkins concern over Marijuana issues in Bridgeport, and the lack of state to either share revenue, police their laws, or honor our local laws. I have seen too many accidents caused by impairment, and I need not remind you it is not legal at federal level, and actually it never had a majority of passage votes in Douglas County. I realize most candidates will dance around this issue- and my honesty could cost me some votes.

I have had fun doing this and take this very seriously. I use jokes from my Political Humor Book to post under comments to keep this from getting too serious, to make a point occasionally, and to bring that post up again for those who missed it.

I promised to live within the budget given me if elected, and am trying to do the same with my campaign budget. I strongly believe in openness and communication- in the past I would answer to "how are things in City," to;  "as for what I know, they are going good, it is the things I do not know that worry me......" One person asked if I supported growth at North End- of coarse I do- but I have mixed feelings about county buying up property and putting in roundabouts with taxpayers paying for development costs- we need to let business do that, and the laws all be equally and fairly applied to all. Realtors are paid to work with other property owners if needed. One person accused commissioners lying, and of not giving her special grandfathered in treatment of a law passed- If you are against a law, don't fight only for yourself- change the law for all. I hope we can all treat each other how we would want to be treated- even after this race is over.  And lastly, thanks for keeping this positive and  a fun race with no name calling or insults. I hope we have the largest voter turnout in Douglas county in November- sadly only 37% turnout in Douglas County for Presidential primary last month. I see many opportunities and look forward to working with the other two commissioners. I think my past experience in transportation and government can provide some balance.

Here is an article from 13 years ago- I challenge other candidates to show where they stood on issues in past and how they will vote on tax increases once elected. (Some were pushing for sales tax increase and some think the sales tax should be lowered to bring in business and now that the arena issue is basically over) I think the biggest gripe I hear is how politicians change when elected. Find out where your candidate stands on 4 lanes Douglas County, who will pay for a state tourism board, how effective is the port districts per its budget, how they will handle importation of garbage to landfill from west side, and reporting of county asset land to state. And I sure welcome answers on how to stop overburdening permitting that is shutting down business. Sadly, many of those permits are at federal and state levels- I can only deal with county levels.

I hope no one is offended of the political jokes I post on facebook- This is an old article about the 7 joke books I used to produce. I have a few left that are used to finance my campaign; as I hate to beg for money and I do not want to be bought by any group/persons.

Earlier in article I mentioned openness and honesty and how sometimes I am last to know- here is how I handled an issue years ago per the eyes of a reporter.

Got 2 Again

Today is first day for candidates to file for office. My goal was to get people to file for office,  bring out the issues, get people to vote, and to  have fun doing it. I applaud those running and thank those who encouraged me to do the same. There are two sides to every issue and perhaps the hardest part is listening to both sides and know what the people are saying. I am very passionate about our need for more 4 lanes in Douglas county and the need to work within the budget given me. There are 3 commissioners, I see nothing wrong with asking questions and not having unanimous votes all the time- I respect those who disagree with me. I can learn from the employees of Douglas County and they already have been so helpful to me.

I have nothing to hide or been threatened in any way for my views- In fact with 23 years serving on City council- I know the stress and frustration of areas that your are told if you do not vote this way you will loose federal funds. Some claim the state is ignoring county marijuana laws.  It's frustrating to see double standards and our freedoms taken away. There are many people who I look up to and who are more qualified than I am to serve- and many of them perhaps can do more and are less limited by not being elected and the rules that come with that. I believe in openness and two way communication. I urge you to continue to speak up, to vote, and to live lives of integrity. I see many opportunities.  I welcome your thoughts and comments.  I work for you and there may be times we disagree- that does not mean I did not listen or I do not like you. Laws should be fair and applied equally.  I want to treat you how I would wanted to be treated. I want to roll out the red carpet and not the red tape both new and existing business. And I do not expect everyone's vote- Just YOURS! Lets keep this a positive and make it a fun race with no name calling or insults. I want to focus on what my opponents agree with me on, not disagree.  My email address is below as is the comment button.

Remember Me (roundabouts)

I started my campaign for Douglas County Commissioner because I felt the local voting officials were more concerned about bike lanes and roundabouts than investing in 4 lane highways. I do not know how many on transportation planning council members are cdl truck drivers and you can see I have more questions than answers. I have heard from elected officials how wonderful the roundabout at McDougal will be for trucks when it is not even finished it yet? One elected lady said "trucks will just have to go around our town" when in fact there is no truck route around East Wenatchee from I-90, and we did not become the Apple Capital of the Nation without trucks.  Downtown Wenatchee has banned trucks and reduced the once 4 lane state route in downtown to 2 lanes and now using some of those lanes for dining instead of parking? No one can tell me how pedestrians can get across 9th street when they build a roundabout there, other than they will have to find another place?

To educate myself I also searched wsdot web site and found the following rules for roundabouts  ( http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Safety/roundabouts/default.htm  )

There are a few key things to remember about driving roundabouts:

• Yield to drivers in the roundabout
• Stay in your lane; do not change lanes
• Do not stop in the roundabout
• Avoid driving next to oversize vehicles

You can read the entire page- I just feel other options are not being considered or heard. the site does acknowledge costs are "comparable to build"- but , and the only savings depend on cost of electricity, and if it is a new one or replacement. The safety issues are based on 15-20 mph speed limits- which are misleading and hard to argue since any place you have 15-20mph speed limits would be safer, even on a freeway. I could safely say there are more deaths on 2 lane roads than 4 lane roads in Douglas county- that could be true but not fair or accurate in a way, since we have only  5 miles total 4 lanes in Douglas county. If you hire more police, the crime rate goes up- only because numbers record more arrests- right?

The proposed roundabout at 5th/28 is because of fender bender accidents in a 40 mph area. The roundabout is estimated at  1.8 million and a light  is estimated to cost 800,000.  No one has suggested lowering the speed limit to 35- yet a roundabout will cost almost 2 million dollars, cannot be changed back easily, and without any guarantee it would have saved those  accidents. That route is a major truck route- and already East Wenatchee has had trucks spill loads and block traffic for hours in those curves- what happens when a truck looses it load in middle of roundabout- you block all 4 lanes instantly?  Those talking on cell phones would be a lot safer at 35mph instead of 40 plus. the computer modules did not show 103 foot truck/trailers flowing  or when every 5th vehicle is a truck.

The roundabout at 9th/28 will cost 700-800,000 because it already has a large foot print. First- how many projects come in within budget? What happens to the lights that are working fine now- I suspect they will  be thrown away. There have been even fewer fender benders there- the only push is because East Wenatchee wants a roundabout at 9th/valley mall Parkway.  That 800,000  could be used for 4 lanes to Quincy instead. I do not know how much has been spent on planning these roundabouts before they asked for pubic input. No one can tell me now pedestrians can get across at 9th with light removed- it will back up traffic on all 3 lanes, as legally  one must stop for pedestrians and that is access to loop trail for bikes too and skateboarders. It will be worse when a truck looses its load in a roundabout.  Lacy voted against it because funds could be cut from other road projects to pay for it.

Some elected officials are saying even though we have the largest gas tax in the nation- there is no money for 4 lanes? There is money- it is where you spend it. Do you want to spend it on roundabouts, administration buildings, bike paths; or do we spend it  on 4 lanes? Already WSDOT has said the 4 lanes planned from 9th st to Hadley Street may have to stop at 19th street due to lack of funds- yet they push roundabouts, that they have money for and in many cases cost more than lights. They claim there is less maintenance on roundabouts- yet the new LED lights last 7-8 years compared to the old lights that were changed every  year and the roundabouts do not get painted by state striping crews, so someone else must stripe them, and we have the lowest electric rates in the nation, so where is the savings?  I still am waiting for an answer on how much maintenance there is in past 2 years on 9th/28 intersection compared to the 97A roundabout at Stimilt.

Some elected officials are pushing for a roundabout at Cascade/2 as well,  when there is no developer yet signed on. I am definitely for development of North End- (I was in minority when I voted not to sue county over development of that area when the mall wanted to go there)- but this this one is not thought out. That is on a hill- the last roundabout was not in winter when it is slippery- and I know first hand how fast you can loose that hill to slide outs when it is snowing- who even suggested such a idea has never plowed snow there or driven trucks. Please, there is a underpass not being used just a few feet west of Cascade that can be used and there are two turnaround routes to or from cascade that is not advertised or developed- one at 28 and the Grange and one at the Jehovah Witness church and 2/97. I am for development- but I want to speed up permits that some are still waiting on for over 8 months and I want the roads built now for future development and tourism.

Again- I am not against roundabouts or lights as we grow- In fact my goal is and always has to have 4 lanes from Orondo to Rock Island and preferably to Quincy. I have seen that movement quietly stop in Douglas County back in 2007.  We have money- it is a matter of priorities and 4 lanes is a priority of yours I hope. I hope it is the priority of the others running for Douglas County Commission as well. Many of the transportation decisions are made by the Wenatchee Valley Transportation Planning Council  and it was 5 Douglas county officials voted for the roundabout at 9th/28. The next question they will be asked- when the funding grant is approved- do they turn down the funding grant or go ahead with the roundabout- That is the question you and Douglas County Commission Candidates should answer now.  If roundabouts are so wonderful- why did it almost get elected officials voted out of office for the airport roundabout and why does not Wenatchee use roundabouts at McKittrick/Wenatchee Avenue and other areas in Wenatchee? Hopefully this blog will stir discussion that we call can learn from- there are two sides to every issue if we will only discuss and look at all sides fairly. I welcome ideas and suggestions below- lets slow down and look at this- it is moving too fast it is not too late to look at it. And I welcome any candidate who can get this done better than I can-I may even vote for him.

Take A Chance On Me

Thank you to  the Wenatchee World for the article Thursday about my desire to run for county commissioner #1. I also was honored to be Steve Hairs second live guest on his 1pm show Friday, to announce my desire to run. Steve and KPQ have always been good to cover local news when I was on council.

I hate to bother you with political posts- and I certainly am not telling you who is most qualified for Douglas County Commissioner. I am not asking for funds- although I have mixed feelings if I will accept any since, I have not in the past. I also am not running against any person, rather running with the other 3 candidates. I wish the other candidates the best. Rather than  post campaign signs- I hope to use facebook- so here is a short video for those who do not know me. I hope rather than a yard sign, you will share this video with others who live in Douglas County.  Feel free to post any questions. Thank you K.C for posting this Blog address- you can see I have many topics, but for this election the one called Douglas County Commissioner may be most interesting.

The above video highlights some of my past experience. Perhaps it would be helpful to post  a recent resume as well since you will be my employer if you live in Douglas County and if you take time to vote.

Dennis Hendricks

1331 N. Ashland

East Wenatchee, WA. 98802

(509) 884-9620=phone

dphendricks@gmail.com = email

Employment History:

Washington State Dept. of Transp. (NCR-Wenatchee Offices) Maintenance Tech               1992 to Present

                Plowed snow, applied de-icing chemicals, traffic control, training seasonal temps, guardrail

                Pavement markings, paint Striping, update no pass log, clean/load striper, drive warning vehicles

Maintain a Current CPR/First Aid Card. Maintain current Flagging Card, CDL Endorsement

Handled safety meetings for WSDOT and compiled over a dozen safety/work videos.

Suggested ideas to improve Efficiency under Brain Storm Program, awarded savings.

City of East Wenatchee, WA. City Council Member;)                                                        1988 to 2012

Approve/monitor city budgets, payroll and accounts. Approve bids. Served on various committees, work with two employee unions. Employee recognition lunches, AWC Certified Municipal Leadership Training Program, Campaigned,  Survived 5 elections- chose not to run in 2011

Washington State Utilities and Transp. Commission, Olympia  MCLE Investigator/Inspector - 1985 to l992

Worked Pasco, Snohomish, Wenatchee, Okanogan, and Kent offices. 

Managed, staffed, and maintained two WUTC offices. Offices covered all of Chelan, Douglas and  

Okanagon counties. Drove approximately 31,000 miles per year. Served as District Safety Rep.

Certified Vehicle Safety Alliance Inspector (CVSA) Certified/trained to insure safety of Trucks

Audit Carriers Books, drivers files, maintenance records, hours of service, equipment, rates, and authority. Assist in filing of applications for authority, rates, protests, appeals, transfers, of for hire vehicles/permit. Peace Officer, Enforce Title 81Laws, and testify in court as required

Commission lost major funding source  and  laid off most field investigators in 1992

Denny’s Restaurant, LaMarada, California (Olympia) Assistant Restaurant Manager; -1984 to 1985

Assisted and Filled in where needed, balanced cash registers, bank deposits, handled customer complaints, worked with employee morale, training of new employees.

               

Charlie’s Home Center, Tumwater, WA   Truck Driver/Set up;.                                     –1981 to l984

Deliver and set up Manufactured Homes,(single, double and triple wides) blocking, leveling, roofing, loading trucks, inspect homes, repo homes, plumbing, home repairs, carpet laying,

Allen Homes, Olympia, WA Service Manager/Sales Rep;.                                            –l979 to  1981

Managed manufactured housing service department. Hired, laid off, scheduled service for a five state area, set up new dealers, handle questions/complaints/took orders/ factory tours

Community Relations, Hobbies and Other;

-Served as a Church Trustee/Board Member;   -A 4^th/5^th grade SS teacher.

-Wrote and published 7 humor books, maintain a blog(over 800 blogs)

- Created over 130 Videos that are on Youtube.com and Vimeo.com

 -Listed and sold real estate and mobile homes. (Realtor)

Education:

Business Administration; Northwest College, Kirkland, WA.                        (1973)

Business Administration; Big Bend Community College, Moses Lake,Wa  (1974)

Real Estate law: Olympia Tech Community college, Olympia, Wa               (l982)

Computers; Wenatchee Valley Community College, Wenatchee, WA.         (1992)

Lake Roosevelt High School, Coulee Dam, WA.                        Graduated    1973

Listed in Who’s Who among High School Students                                      1972

This was my views 23 years ago- I still think it is a good place to raise a family and my values and ideals have not changed. I have a budget to work within during my campaign and I want to work within the budget I am given when elected. The only tax I may consider raising is on importation of garbage- all other taxes should be voted on by you in an election. I put that in writing, and challenge other candidates to do the same on their stands and views. That is the least we can do for voters.

Happy Hawaii

I don't know if a vacation is more fun or if getting home is?  We arrived home to beautiful weather- almost hotter than we had in Hawaii. The Yard looked nice, the neighbors painted their house, and we sorted out the mail already. The Cat is warming up to us after being gone so long and we are waiting to get a call- to pick up our birds. Thanks to Emilee for watching our cat, for Karen for watching our birds, Journey Travel for booking a fun trip, Princess Cruises for our first cruise with you and for all you did, including our Anniversary Celebration. It was so much more fun traveling with Dave/Jeanette Owens and Mark and Maureen Johnson.  Here is a video of the trip I made several days ago. Thanks to our employers for giving us time off- we had fun. And yes, Thanks to Janice Hendricks for sticking with me for 42 years. Not it is time to start saving for a Panama Canal trip on our 50th Anniversary.