Duncan seeks to be Chelan County Commissioner

NCW Media's Managing Editor Gary Bégin sat down with businessman Lee Duncan recently at Tastebuds Coffee & Wine restaurant in Wenatchee to discuss his candidacy for a seat on the Chelan County Board of Commissioners. Here are his answers:

WBJ: Are you running as a Democrat, Republican or Independent?

Lee Duncan: Independent. I feel it is unnecessary to bring political partisanship into a position that needs experience and leadership.  To try and use political ideology to elect local leaders is just further dividing our communities and leaves us with the wrong people in charge.     

WBJ: What is your political philosophy as compared to the typical Republican commissioners Chelan County has had for many years?

Duncan: I feel there is a fundamental difference in philosophy between what we have seen for many years now and what I believe the County Commission should be. I believe the duty of the Commission is to foster cooperation and compromise. For years the Chelan County Commission has unilaterally increased its authority to regulate and control its citizens rather than assisting them. They ignore the recommendations of their own Planning Commission, ignore the public comments of their citizens and simply pass whatever regulations they want. Their recent amendment to their Title 16 Enforcement and Violations code is a perfect example of this. The amendment allows the County to take legal action against anyone in violation of any county code without having to go through the administrative process first. The code is set up to make sure everyone is in violation of something.      

WBJ :Tourism and agriculture are the main economic driving force in the county. Do you have any projects or policies that will benefit that sector?

Duncan: It is important for us to preserve our agricultural roots and economy. Our agriculture is part of what drives our tourism. This area is a recreational destination for people from all over the globe. As Commissioner I would obviously stay engaged with both industries to ensure they have the support they need. I believe making the fundamental changes at the County will ensure both industries continue to thrive.    

WBJ: Tell our readers how you will ensure that Chelan County government will become more transparent than it has been?

Duncan: Again, I go back to changing the mentality of the County.  Transparency will be a natural part of that change. Once we have a fair system of governance transparency will be inherent in that system.  We must restore order to the internal structure, get the right people in the right positions. This will allow transparency back.             

WBJ: Where did you get your inspiration to run for office in the first place?

Duncan: I worked for Chelan County Natural Resource Department for almost a decade. What inspired me in that job is the same thing that inspires me to run for office, bringing people together to improve our community. I facilitated and managed watershed management committees. I was able to bring together all the different stakeholders of an area from irrigation districts and individual farmers/property owners to environmental groups and various state and federal agencies. All with their own special interests and agendas.

WBJ: What do you feel is the most important issue facing Chelan County and what do you plan on doing to fix it?

Duncan: The most important issue right now for the County is the lack of leadership. There does not seem to be any forethought in anything it does.  Everything seems to be a knee jerk reaction. In today's world, not everything can be fixed through increased regulations and zoning. The first thing that needs to be done is getting the right people in certain positions.  In the last dozen years there have been six or seven Community Development Directors and Interim Directors! This department is the heart of the County, but they don't seem to be able to find anyone to "lead" it for more than about 24 months. This is probably due to not wanting someone in that position who will question their decisions.  

WBJ: What plans do you have to help all Chelan County businesses and residents?

Duncan: I would have a review of the current county code to determine what fees, permits and other red tape can be eliminated. The county code is set up to be used as a deterrent to local business rather than assisting them. A business or individual can spend thousands of dollars just to have a proposed project reviewed plus it takes weeks just to get a pre-application meeting! That is all before you even submit a business application. There are multiple departments that must review business applications and they each have their own process and fees. This is the definition of wasteful government bureaucracy. Streamlining the County Code and process is a must.  
I moved my family here over a dozen years ago to work for Chelan County. For almost a decade I worked in this community to help restore and manage the natural resources of the area which we all rely on in one way or another. I was successful in securing millions of dollars of grant funding for irrigation infrastructure improvements, water storage projects and water quality improvement projects. In an area with so many competing interests for water I was always able to find common ground and compromise among the many stakeholders. I understand the different opinions and interests of farmers, private landowners, special interest groups, businesses and industries when it comes to natural resource management. Everyone’s interests must be taken into account.
 
For the full interview, see the Wenatchee Business Journal May edition or go to ncwbusiness.com.