As a member of Teamsters Local 589, I question my union’s endorsement of Bill Peach for Clallam County commissioner.
Many of my fellow Teamsters are unhappy with both the process and the outcome.
Peach got this endorsement because he’s gone easy on union contract negotiations.
But Peach doesn’t support union interests in the long run.
He doesn’t even endorse the allowable 1 percent annual increase in overall taxing authority that county commissioners routinely have passed, except for when Peach sat on the board alongside Jim McEntire.
That tiny increase only slows the rate at which our county government falls behind inflation.
Meanwhile, our county administrator warns that commissioners need to increase spending for job transitions as baby-boomers retire, forecasting million-dollar shortfalls.
Peach, following the radical Republican agenda of starving government, would steer the ship of state directly at the iceberg: layoffs, poorly trained and understaffed departments, and reduced levels of service for residents.
Peach touts his strong IQ, but can he do math?
When revenues freeze and expenses expand, who will be left holding the bag?
Peach’s circus act with the Department of Natural Resources brought no revenue the county wouldn’t have gotten anyway, and the credit he takes for that is as much of a sham as this union “endorsement.”
Mike Doherty doesn’t puff himself up; he just gets stuff done and deserves your vote.
Ed Chadd,
Port Angeles