Mossyrock: Bolender for County Commissioner, District 3

Mark H. Bolender

Chamber Member
Candidate, County Commissioner, District # 3

This is America - where a farm boy can step up to the plate and say, "Allow me to make a difference in the community where I live and was raised." For this life is not all about "what's in it for me." Since I graduated from college in 1980, I have been serving my community in one form or another, as you can see from my resume. It has been a privilege to have lived and worked in this county since 1967. Now my time has come to put back; for I have been given much. I have stated for a number of years that i I wanted to run for County Commissioner. With a little pushing from my wife and friends, I am jumping into the arena. With my background of banking, teaching, farming, preaching with my horse Checkers, and serving my community from the east of Lewis County to the west end, you will not find anyone else who is running for District 3 Commissioner who has my name recognition and qualifications. It will take all of the above to be elected in the general election. We need someone who has a vision of where we are going and how we can get there. I am that person and I will need all of your votes and prayers.

How can I make a difference and what is my plan?

I. Growth Management - GMA: From serving on the planning board and understanding both sides of this issue, I have a firm grasp on what it is going to take to solve and settle this matter. We can do it here or we can let the state decide. How we decide this matter will have great financial implications to our county. I want to explore the following:

-A. Clustering in rural areas for residential housing.

-B. Obtain an industrial land bank along I-5 between Napavine and Winlock and part of Hwy 12 to be used when Chehalis and Centralia industrial parks are full or for firms that need large parcels

-C. Obtain water rights to serve industrial growth for the next 50-75 years from the Cowlitz River. Much of the opposition to industrial growth will go away if we can show that we are not using ground water from the aquifers.

II. Economy - Jobs: From my banking background, I have a good understanding of the financial state of Lewis County. It has historically been a boom bust economy based on timber and agriculture. Both have busted! Our local EDC and Ports have worked very hard to bring many jobs to help diversify our economy, so we must continue to support them as a county. For the future I would ---

-A. Support long term tax breaks and grants from the state for any viable industry that would move to the east end. Without a job base, people have no hope, which leads to a list of problems such as domestic violence, low home values, struggling schools and an increase in drug use. The zoning issues and water issues can be addressed and discussed.

-B. Continue to support all Agriculture and expand it. We have a great opportunity to attract the horse industry due to it getting forced out by growth in the Portland and Seattle area. This will help bring value to vacant or under utilized farm land in the rural areas. For this form of Agriculture we need sizable parcels of land and this group can afford it. The average horse owner has an income of $60,000.00 in the USA according to the American Quarter Horse Association. The largest horse organization in the world. Our location is perfect and will fit into our rural charter with ease.

-C. Support and promote the expansion of White Pass ski resort.

-D. Continue to support tourism growth to Lewis County.

-E. Work with Tacoma City Light to build a destination resort on Riffe Lake where the land has already been allocated. This would be private ownership not the county.

III. County Government/Community Development

-A. We have a need to revitalize and invigorate our community development and planning department of Lewis County. We need to make sure as a county that we serve the citizens. We must remember at all times that it is government by the people, for the people and to serve the people.