FORKS — Bill Peach, a Quillayute Valley Parks and Recreation District commissioner, will make a second attempt to be elected commissioner for Clallam County District 3.
Peach, 58, a Republican, said Wednesday in an email to the Peninsula Daily News that he is running for the West End district “because I believe a business-friendly government can provide jobs, conserve our resources and preserve our culture.”
District 3 is represented by Democrat Mike Doherty, 71, of Port Angeles, whose four-year term ends this year.
Doherty, 71, said Thursday that he has not decided whether he will seek a fifth term and typically waits until filing week to find out who else is running before he makes a decision.
The online and in-person filing period for this year’s elections begins this coming Monday and will end next Friday, May 16.
Doherty said he has talked with two potential candidates for the District 3 position and will talk to a third this weekend to sound them out about their intentions.
“I never thought I was meant to be a career public official,” he said.
In 2010, Peach challenged Doherty and fellow Republican Robin V. Poole to represent the district.
Peach, who lives in Forks, lost to Poole in the primary election that year.
He said Thursday his experience in land-use management during 26 years with Rayonier makes him an atypical candidate.
Hard look at taxes
“I’d take a hard look at anything associated with taxes,” Peach added.
“I’m not interested in tax increases at all.
“The other thing is to take a look at any kind of proposed land use that has an impact on private property rights.
“I am very pro-private property rights.”
Peach is the former executive director of the Quileute tribe and a former regional manager with Rayonier.
He coordinated activities on Rayonier’s 200,000-acre Clallam Timber and Land Division before he retired in 2009 after a 26-year career with the company.
Peach was the Quileute tribe’s executive director from 2009-11 when he was asked to resign from the at-will position, he said.
“It had to deal with reporting information about the tribe to the tribal council,” he said.
“There was a philosophical difference with regard to the way I was performing my business.”
Peach said he has the experience to deal with “the big issues” on the West End, such as job creation.
“I understand intuitively issues that affect business because I have the experience.”
If he wins the Nov. 4 election, his annual salary as a county commissioner will be $67,189.
Peach, who is retired, is president of the Forks Chamber of Commerce and is on the boards of the Clallam County Economic Development Council, North Olympic Library System and Concerned Citizens of Clallam County.
He also chairs the citizens advisory committee for Forks Community Hospital.
“That keeps me kind of busy, and I love being able to contribute to the community,” Peach said.
“That really gives me the opportunity to feel the pulse of the community.”
Peach is a St. Regis, Mont., native and has a master’s degree in business administration.
He and his wife, Anita, “have lots of pets,” he said.
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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5060, or at pgottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.
