Please provide a brief biography, including place of residence, education, work experience, and any other background information you feel readers would find useful in making their voting decision.

PAT GARDNER – I am married to Bruce Gardner, have three children, five grandchildren and one great grandchild. We live in Raymond and are currently building a new home on 45 acres in East Raymond.

I graduated from Puyallup High School, went to Bates Vocational School. from there I went to work at Citizen Bank. I worked for Puyallup School District as a school bus driver and driver trainer for 12 years. I worked for ESD #112 and the Department of Licensing as a certified driver training for the Washington Coast region. I administered the skill test (driving test examine and also the written test to groups along the coast up to Olympia).

I have worked in the Pacific County Auditor’s office for more than 18 years, almost four years as auditor. I have a working knowledge of the jobs within the auditor’s office. I am a professional and certified election administrator, certified vehicle field operator and also a certified public official. I have numerous years of professional and leadership experience; chair, co-chair of licensing, southwest representative for the Auditor Association and chair of the licensing certification program working with the Department of Licensing.

My community activities are the Coats for Kids program as a member of the Elk’s, Kiwanis Club member, which performs community work and gives support to students, a Willapa Heritage Foundation member, which brings the arts to the local community in both South and North County, and treasurer of the Democrat Club.

PAT HAMILTON – I am a life resident of Pacific County and currently live in Lebam. I have been your district No. 3 county commissioner for the last sixteen years. I have two sons that are grown and married and four great grandkids. I am a graduate of Raymond High School and Grays Harbor College. As the commissioner I have set several county budgets that fund all the county offices and departments.

Collectively as a board we review the requests for job positions and manage the managers in General Administration, Public Works, the Department of Community Development and the Health Department.

As a commissioner I have successfully worked legislation at both the state and federal level to solve problems within the county that needed changes in the laws. These changes have helped not only Pacific County but other counties in the state as well. It is also the commissioner’s job to set the county policies and land use regulations. I have not been an armchair commissioner that sits back and allows the status quo. There has been many times in my efforts that my fellow commissioners told me I would not be able to affect change. But by working the extra hours with like-minded individuals around the state I have indeed done just that. It has not always made me popular with my seatmates.

Describe the primary tasks performed by this county department. Describe your qualifications to supervise and/or perform each of these tasks.

GARDNER – The primary tasks that are performed by the Auditor’s office are:

? Accounting – We over see the budget for all the county offices, prepare the annual report for the State Auditor’s office, account payable for the county and several special purpose districts also some payroll tasks for the special districts, and county payroll and county benefits.

? Recording – Collect and preserve historical record of the county, have historical records available for research, marriage licenses, dance permits, record documents, surveys etc.

? Licensing – Process vehicle and boat titles, fleets, tonnage, etc.

? Elections – Supervise all elections, perform all elections (for Federal, state, county and special districts), certifies results of all elections, voter registration for the county, produce and distribute county voter literature, verifies signature on petitions, conduct logic and accuracy test of voting equipment prior to every election.

? County mailroom – process all the county mail, regular certified and registered.

With 18 years working within the auditor’s office I have a working knowledge of the functions within the office. I cover and assist the staff when it is necessary.

HAMILTON – The primary duties of the county auditor are to manage on a day-to-day basis the auditor’s office. This will be a major change from the commissioner position. However, I knew that when I decided not to run as a commissioner candidate that my hours and time would be different, no matter what job I ultimately did. I accepted that.

The main functions of the auditor is to take responsibility for the customary reports needed for the State Audit, and to keep a finger on the pulse of how each office is managing the budget on a month to month basis.

It is important to maintain oversight of the departments so that they do not ultimately run into financial problems. Other duties include doing the payroll and the accounts payable for the county and some junior taxing districts. Other Auditor’s office duties include recording papers, elections, and licensing. All are important.

What is your opinion of how well this department is functioning today?

GARDNER – I have a professional, trained and knowledgeable staff. The staff is willing to assist each other at any time. Each staff member is cross trained to help in other areas other than their own. We meet all mandates and timelines without any penalties to the county. The auditor’s office also works with several other offices to be efficient and effective for the county and citizen of the county.

HAMILTON – You have asked for my opinion of how well this department is currently running. Well, it isn’t good. Since Pat Gardner became the auditor there has been huge staff turnovers in her office of 10 people. Pat’s staff is on her third CPA position, her second chief deputy, her third recording specialist, second elections position and second junior accountant. Former employees, as noted by their own letters to the editor, reveal performing Democrat business on county time, being directed to feed and water the auditor’s animals when she is away on an off-county time, having their hands slapped and being shoved and knocked off their feet. It is often reported that Pat Gardener routinely shouts and yells at her staff in public. The 10 people that have left this office commonly use statements like, “I’m happy now.”

All this has resulted in more than just an auditor’s office with an unpleasant work environment. Experienced, trained personnel are an asset to the county, it is expensive to be constantly re-training new staff. Was a lack of experience a factor in the three most recent errors in producing ballots? Can the county afford to have the auditor’s office continue in this fashion?

I want to turn that office around and make it a professional, reasonable place to work. In the year 2006 employees should not be subjected to this type of treatment. I know many of the issues I have raised are unpleasant and uncomfortable to confront but how else can we affect change?

If you perceive a need for changes, in what ways would the office be different a year after your election than it is today? Why did you decide to run for this position?

GARDNER – You can always make changes within in any office that will be good both for the staff and the public. I would like to see the recorded document on the web site for viewing and searches. If the public needs a copy of the document they would still need to come to the office. I would like to add to the county web site an option for the voters that also has a guide for the voter to view the candidates and also get the state wide election results.

If you are the incumbent, describe your proudest accomplishments in office.

GARDNER – By the use of HAVA grants (Help America Vote Act) I was able to bring a new voting system and new technologies for preparing the ballots for mailing, voter out reach, new server for election operations and made the county facilities compliant with the American with Disabilities Act at no cost to the county or the citizens. The cost savings was approximately $390,000.

I am proud that Pacific County was one of the first in the nation to bring a system to the voters for voter integrity. A voter can track their ballot envelope in the system at all times when there is an election. The voter will know what is happening to their ballot such as; when it was prepared for mailing, when it was mailed, when received in the office, when it was accepted or suspended and when it was tabulated, by just going to the county web site and selecting auditor, selecting election and then selecting ballot tracking.

By working with other elected official the auditor’s office has made it possible for a citizen to have his/her property transfer within one day to his/her name.

If elected, how do you plan to work with the county commissioners during your term in office?

GARDNER -I have always had a good working relationship with the commissioners. I have kept them informed as to what was happening and we have discussed ideas that would not only benefit my office but others. I work with them to save the county and citizens money when possible. The auditor’s office also works with the commissioners in setting up the county budget.

HAMILTON – No response.

What do you envision yourself doing 10 years from now?

GARDNER – I am a very active person and like to be busy. I will probably be still working at work and at home on the farm. I will be involved with the grandchildren also.

HAMILTON – No response.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

GARDNER – As your County Auditor, I have led the county in providing access to voting and county government via the computer. I promise the citizens of Pacific County computer access will move forward, but not until the security, ballot integrity, secrecy and voter authentication is assured. I have fought for the rights of the people of Pacific County, not special corporate interests. I believe the voters of Pacific County want a county government that is efficient and effective.