Rob McKenna weighs in

THURSTON COUNTY: McKenna weighs in on commissioner contest

THE OLYMPIAN BLOG

State Attorney General Rob McKenna endorsed fellow Republican Pat Beehler in the Thurston County commissioner race, echoing a similar endorsement by the Thurston County Republican Party.

Beehler, a Tumwater surveyor, is running against Democratic appointee Karen Valenzuela and Democrat Dan Venable for the District 3 seat, which represents the western third of the county.

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Pat Beehler welcomes you to his website

Pat Beehler welcomes you to his campaign and website. Go to his campaign website.

Patrick Beehler declares his candidacy for Thurston County Commissioner Dist. 3

Pat Beehler declares his candidacy for officePat talks to his supporters

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pat Beehler drew crowds and eyes at County Auditor’s office

Olympia, WA, June 1, 2009 Republican candidate Pat Beehler’s early morning filing drew office staff’s attention as a crowd of supporters filled the County Auditor’s office.

“This is the biggest attendance [of supporters] in my memory,” said Thurston County Auditor Kim Wyman who could not recall such support in the past.

Nearly 40 people sporting Elect Beehler shirts with signs in hand, squeezed into the Auditor’s office on the first day of filing. Many office staff members stood from their seats to view the crowd which extended to the back corners of the office.

The cross-section of supporters, the youngest in a stroller and the oldest in his 90s, gathered at the Red Lion Hotel parking lot to rally his candidacy.

Coffee and doughnuts would prove as a secondary fuel to the crowd’s excitement for Beehler’s filing.

“Pat [Beehler] knows to cue in and clean up the budget issues of our county,” supporter Mike Edwards exclaimed to the early-risers of Monday morning’s tailgate.

At exactly the 9th hour on Monday morning, Beehler officiated his candidacy for Thurston County Commissioner District 3.

“It’s official! So let’s go back to celebrate and finish the doughnuts!” exclaimed Beehler.

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Patrick Beehler supports the local Boys and Girls Club

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Pat Beehler
Phone and Fax: 360-554-9545
Email: pat@patbeehler.com
Website: www.patbeehler.com


Pat Beehler supports youth civic engagement and its proposed expansion at 7th Annual Boys and Girls Club Fundraiser

Lacey, WA, May 28, 2009 Thurston County Commissioner candidate Pat Beehler joined a crowd of community leaders to help support the 7th Annual Boys and Girls Club of Thurston County Foundation for the Future fundraiser this morning at the St. Martin’s Pavilion.

“It is a shared privilege and honor to serve the community and focus on its future - the youth,” said Beehler who provided survey work for the Tumwater club’s building construction in 2001 and is hopeful of the proposed Olympia clubhouse.

Superintendent of the North Thurston Public Schools Dr. Jim Koval prided the club’s purpose and success among local youths.

“Most people have third places – outside of home and work – a place that endorses a greater sense of community and civic engagement…The Boys and Girls Club is a third place for youth,” explained Koval.

Understanding the significance of this so-called third place, Beehler and his family have been long-time community servants since they moved back to Thurston County in 1972. Beehler has served as President for the Olympia Jaycees and Tumwater Rotary Club.

The Tumwater High School Jazz Band serenaded the guests and speakers with upbeat tempos at the beginning of the annual event. Beehler who sat near the band was personally appreciative of their presence. The Republican candidate recounted volunteering backstage at a local Rotary Jazz Festival at the Washington Center which featured local high school bands.

Beehler will be filing for candidacy at the Thurston County Courthouse on Monday, June 1st. A celebratory event at the Red Lion Hotel that morning will precede his filing.

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Pat's campaign kickoff a huge success!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Pat Beehler
Phone and Fax: 360-554-9545
Email: pat@patbeehler.com
Website: www.patbeehler.com

Pat Beehler's Campaign Kickoff proves successful

Olympia, WA, May 20, 2009

More than 100 local activists arrived early Tuesday morning to kickoff Thurston County Commissioner District 3 candidate Pat Beehler’s campaign.

With only 10 days of planning, the high attendance exceeded the anticipated 50 – 80 people turnout.

Introductory speaker and Secretary of State Sam Reed lauded Beehler’s political background, "As a professional surveyor, Beehler has seen the workings of government from the other side."

Surrounded by his family, Beehler humbly rose from his table to ask local Republicans for their support to reform local government currently secured by Democrats.

Citing the current commissioners’ focus on micro-management, Beehler said, "My profession has forced me to see the big picture and that’s exactly what local government leaders have to do."

Sharing his background and credentials, Beehler summarized to the crowd his philosophy of government and public service: “Government should be of laws rather than of men,” that is, laws based on society rather than partisan agendas. The second drew inspiration from Beehler’s mother Rita saying, “Service to humanity is the best work of life.” This has since been a benchmark for the Republican candidate.

Beehler is committed to improving the efficiencies of county government without cutting services and "without bankrupting taxpayers."

Pat Beehler and his wife Patti have lived in Thurston County since 1972. He has deep roots in the community through his years of service including:

Olympia Jaycees, President
Tumwater Rotary Club, President
Olympia Host, active member
Olympia West Lions Club, active member
Thurston County Chamber of Commerce, Chairman

Key attendees also included Sen. Swecker, Rep. Gary Alexander and Thurston County Auditor Kim Wyman.

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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

Pat Beehler announces his bid for Thurston County Commissioner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Pat Beehler
Phone and Fax: 360-554-9545
Email: pat@patbeehler.com
Website: www.patbeehler.com

Pat Beehler announces his candidacy for Thurston County Commissioner District 3

Olympia, WA, May 11, 2009 Long-time Thurston County resident and community leader Pat Beehler officially announces his candidacy for Thurston County Commissioner in district 3.

Beehler said, "I have lived and served Thurston County through my community service for over 40 years. I have four generations of my family living here.

"I have never seen the county's financial future in such a crisis and feel that my leadership and skills are what the county needs right now. I'm willing to provide the leadership and make the tough decisions that are needed today.

"The county needs to prioritize its mission of public safety, health and roads. I believe by looking hard at the county's organization we can find and eliminate areas of wasteful spending. I believe we can return the county to a responsible budget, meet all of our statutory requirements without raising taxes.

"The people of Thurston County are suffering in the current recession. We have unemployment approaching double digits. I will immediately work to encourage and promote economic development.

"I believe we can return Thurston County to a responsible budget, meet all of our statutory requirements without raising taxes. I will demand that the county look first within to identify more efficiencies.

"I will work to protect the environment in responsible ways. My career background as a professional surveyor makes me uniquely qualified to govern land use issues with sensitivity and balance.

About Pat

Pat Beehler and his wife Patti have lived in Thurston County since 1972. He has deep roots in the community through his years of service including:

* Olympia Jaycees, President
* Tumwater Rotary Club, President
* Olympia Host, active member
* Olympia West Lions Club, active member
* Thurston County Historic Commission, 10 years of service
* St. Martin’s Food and Wine Festival, Volunteer
* Black Hills High School 4P’s Panel, Volunteer
* Thurston County Chamber of Commerce, Chairman
* National society of Professional Surveyors, President
* Pat began his surveying career in 1967 with DNR, and has been a Professional Land Surveyor since 1978.

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