Close race for commissioner on historic election night
ANDREW CHRISTIANSEN
Reporter
On a historic election night, Klickitat County and Washington State went along with the country in selecting Barack Obama as the next president of the United States,
according to early election returns. By
8:30 p.m., Sen. John McCain congratulated Obama on his win and pledged his support in dealing with “the many challenges” that will face the new president.
Closer to home, in one of the most anticipated races, Gov. Christine Gregoire and Dino Rossi were locked in another close battle, with just 5,563 votes separating the two with King County yet to be heard from. It was one of two races where Klickitat County tended to differ from the state, giving Rossi the nod by a 54.7 percent to 45.3 percent margin.
The other race where Klickitat County bucked the state, was in the race for Supt. of Public Instruction. Randy Dorn had a lead of 51 to 49 percent over Terry Bergeson in state returns, while the county preferred Bergeson 54 to 46 percent.
The closest battles of the night were for county commissioner. Incumbant, Ray Thayer, held a narrow lead over Jerry Gaines for the district 3 position, and Rex Johnston held a slightly more comfortable edge over Lea Rachford in the early going.
Congressional incumbent Doc Hasting, led by a wide margin in the county and across District 4. Similarly, state legislative district 15 incumbants, Dan Newhouse and Bruce Chandler were well ahead of challengers Tao Berman and John Gotts. Klickitat County took a strong stand on the three
ballot measures, siding with the rest of the state in saying “no” to initiative 985, the
transportation measure, and “yes - yes” to 1029, which calls for certification of long term care providers, and the controversial initiative 1000 allowing medically assisted suicide for the terminally ill.
Leading up to elections Tuesday , candidates worked up to the final hour, making last minute
stops along the campaign trail.
Republican gubernatorial candidate, Rossi, made a stop Friday at the Goldendale Grange. Earlier
that day, he had commented to The Sentinel about the final week:
“I have been overwhelmed by the strong support from cities and towns throughout the state,” said Rossi. “This truly has been a citizens’ movement of people looking for change in Olympia.”
Candidates in local races also expressed excitement.
“I feel good,” said Gaines, democratic candidate for county commissioner. “I did my best, now I am anxious to see the outcome…I feel it will be very close.”
Republican incumbent for state representative, Bruce Chandler, voiced similar sentiments:
“This has been a very exciting campaign,” said Chandler. “That this election is perhaps the most important in a generation is clearly demonstrated by the fact that so many people were focusing on efforts of each us who are candidates and actively participating in helping to support us.”
“I want to thank all the Washington voters that have been active and involved,” said Berman.
“The only reason our system of government works is because of all of you.”
*Additional reporting by Rachel Cavanaugh
 Early election results:
Klickitat County results as of Tuesday, 8:11 p.m.
District 3 Commissioner
Ray Thayer 3,101 (50.55 percent)
Jerry Gaines 3,034 (49.45 percent)
District 1 Commissioner
Rex Johnston 3,229 (52.77 percent)
Lea Rachford 2,890 (47.23 percent)
U.S. Congressional District 4
Doc Hastings 3,508 (55.75 percent)
George Fearing 2,784 (44.25 percent)
State Representative District 15 position 1
Bruce Chandler 3,793 (62.48 percent)
John Gotts 2,278 (37.52 percent)
State Representative District 15 postions 2
Dan Newhouse 3,726 (60.86 percent)
Tao Berman 2,396 (39.14 percent)
New radio broadcasts out of KLCK
A new radio station is now broadcasting out of local studios,KLCK, in Goldendale. The station, MIX 93.5, of Condon, Ore., began broadcasts earlier this summer. The 24-hour station features adult contemporary programming with soft rock music, from 1970’s anthems to current hits.
KLCK newscaster, Julian Notestine, serves as news director for the station, with the help of Diana Notestine.
Kevin Malcolm is the morning voice from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and programming includes ABC news at 45 minutes after each hour, as well as local news for Washington, Oregon and the Condon area.
Malcolm has begun Talk on Wednesdays, a 10-minute show at 8:50 a.m. with a local Condon and Gilliam County flavor.
MIX 93.5’s current listening area is centered mostly around Condon, but efforts are underway to increase the listening area to Goldendale and The Dalles.
Cole Malcolm, then operations manager, erected the 35,000-watt, 180-foot tower at the former air base in Condon, which covers a 65-mile radius.
The station is owned by Dan Manciu, of Haystack Broadcasting, who also owns KLCK and Y102 in The Dalles.
After investigation, State brings ten counts against former secretary, Linda Story
RACHEL CAVANAUGH
News Editor
The State of Washington has pressed charges of theft and forgery against former fire department secretary, Linda Story.
The charges are linked to about $18,000 in missing or misappropriated funds from her time working for Klickitat County Fire Protection District 7, known simply as Rural 7, between Jan. 2005 and Feb. 2007. This is according to a report forwarded to Rural 7 in Feb. 2008 by the state auditor’s office.
During that time, Story allegedly wrote checks to “herself, her burger business, or for items not authorized and/or received by Rural 7,” according to an investigative report by the Washington State Patrol Criminal Investigation Division (WSP).
The Goldendale woman now faces 10 counts, including theft in the first degree (two counts); forgery (three counts); and theft in the second degree (five counts).
When asked if it was a case of accidental or poorly managed funds, rather than an intentional act, assistant attorney general, Justin Ericksen, said it was unlikely accidental.
“Money was diverted from fire department accounts into her own personal accounts,” said Ericksen, pointing to the three counts of forgery. “All those have a mental element,” he said. “I suspect the evidence will show she knew what she was doing with that money.”
According to the WSP investigation, money was discovered missing by Rural 7 from three separate accounts in March of last year. The investigation revealed Story had been writing questionable checks in a span of more than a year. Figures range on those checks from around $25 up to more than $4,000.
In several cases, Story allegedly deposited money into private accounts that was supposed to be put into general county funds. In others, she issued checks with former Fire Chief Jim Mulrony’s name affixed although he was no longer with the fire department.
Checks were also issued with Fire Chief Anthony Browing’s name without his authorization and with his signature “apparently forged,” according to the WSP report.
The same report says Story approached Browning and Story’s replacement, Dawn Weaver, about “rumors” she had heard, after she resigned in February of last year.
“Story said she heard rumors that she owed Rural 7 between $14,000 and $18,000,” reads the report. “Story told Weaver and Browning that she was not a bookkeeper and may have made some mistakes while maintaining the volunteer and cell phone accounts and she wanted to pay back any money owed.”
Earlier this year, Story spoke to the Board of Fire Commissioners, according to the report:
“If I have done something, I really want to know so I can be accountable,” said Story. “I would do absolutely nothing - I think you guys know this - to hurt Rural 7 at any time. But if I did, then naturally I want to take care of it.”
This week, Story maintained her innocence, and said she was not aware charges had been formally pressed until The Sentinel contacted her.
“I did nothing to take to take anything from Rural 7 at any time,” said Story.
“Everybody is innocent until proven guilty and I think I should have that right to prove I am innocent.”
Story will have her first court appearance on Dec. 1, at the Klickitat County courthouse in Goldendale.
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