First Republican enters Thurston commission race
CHRISTIAN HILL; The Olympian | • Published May 14, 2009

Pat Beehler has announced his candidacy for the Thurston County Commission, making him the first Republican to enter the race.

Beehler, a 64-year-old professional surveyor, said his mother instilled in him a desire to serve the community, and he’s at the point in his life at which he wants to extend that service to the political arena.

He’s a former chairman of the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce and former president of the Olympia Jaycees, and he served on the Thurston County Historic Commission for a decade.

He said his top priority would be navigating the county through its budget crisis, which has resulted in two rounds of reductions to programs and services and the loss of 10 percent of its work force since 2008.
He said that, if he’s elected, commissioners can return the county to a responsible budget by prioritizing public safety, health and roads and cutting wasteful spending without raising taxes.

Beehler said he didn’t have any “overriding examples” of wasteful spending but added that, if elected, he would work with department heads to assess and conduct audits of spending to save money.

Beehler said his experience on “both sides of the counter” – in the public and private sectors – gives him the knowledge needed to govern land-use issues with sensitivity and balance. Beehler worked for the city of Tumwater from 1983 to 1989.

“I try to listen to all sides of an issue and work with people to come to a consensus,” Beehler said.

Commissioner Karen Valenzuela was appointed to the District 3 seat in January to complete the remaining term of her predecessor, Bob Macleod, who resigned in December for health reasons.

Dan Venable, the owner of a local company that tests and removes mold from buildings, also has announced his candidacy for the commission seat.

Filing week for candidates to run for offices up for election this year is three weeks away, June 1-5.

The commissioners’ seat will be up for election again in 2010, when the current term expires.

District 3 represents west Olympia, Tumwater and Rochester.

Beehler will hold a kickoff event for his campaign at 7 a.m. May 19 at the Tyee Center, 5757 Littlerock Road S.W. in Tumwater.

Christian Hill covers the city of Lacey and the military for The Olympian. He can be reached at 360-754-5427 or chill@theolympian.com.

Pat Beehler

Occupation: Surveyor at the Olympia office of WHPacific, a consulting firm. He owned Southwest Surveying for 12 years before it was acquired by WHPacific in 2005.

Government experience: Thurston County Historic Commission, 1982 to 1992

Organizational experience: Former president, Olympia Jaycees and Tumwater Rotary Club; former board chairman of Thurston County Chamber; and immediate past president, National Society of Professional Surveyors

Education: San Juan High School, Citrus Heights, Calif., 1962. Adjunct professor, Saint Martin’s University; taught surveying class there from 1983 to 1993

Family: Patti, wife of 39 years; one daughter and two grandchildren. His brother Mike is vice president for extended learning at South Puget Sound Community College.

Contact: 360-554-9545; 855 Trosper Road S.W., Suite 108-399, Tumwater, WA 98512

Web site: www.patbeehler.com