Written by Denny Hamilton | 03 December 2011

The decision to run or not to run for county commissioner in Mason County's new District #1 was one I made with care and assistance. A number of folks suggested I run, including our current Commissioner, Lynda Ring-Erickson. Many of you also urged me to do so and pledged your support. We held several brainstorming sessions at our house and I also talked personally with a number of individuals in the community and in county government. When issues were being discussed and debated I realized that I had some ideas about and approaches to them inspired by my international work. So, I thought, hmmmm, I might be able to make a difference if I became county commissioner. I became energized!.

Other folks came on board. Marcia has curbed her wanderlust and has agreed to stay the course. She will be my campaign manager. Cathy Wolf, a local CPA who has worked on other political campaigns, agreed to be our treasurer; and Jill and Vaughn Neumeister (who did such a great job on our TAP business website and on the Mason County Democratic website) volunteered to do the campaign website (www.electdennyhamilton.org) which should be up and running soon. Finally, yesterday, some members of our campaign (Committee to Elect Denny Hamilton) kitchen cabinet met to begin our plan! I have filed with the PDC, and the campaign has a bank account, and a PO Box. We are turning our downstairs family room into campaign HQ and adding another phone line or two. We have only just begun! So, first things first, I thought I'd let you know a little about me.

I am a Washington native. I was born in Snoqualmie Falls, graduated from Mt. Si High School, fished in Alaska, logged for Weyerhaeuser, graduated from Central Washington University (where I was student body President) with a degree in Geography and History. I have a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Westchester (Pennsylvania) and was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Lesotho, Southern Africa. Although my work with the UN, CARE and Peace Corps took me (and my family) overseas, I have been a friend and a fan of Mason County for over 40 years and a resident for nearly 20 of those 40.

I am a small business owner, Training Associates Pacific, a woodworker, an emergency management practitioner, a trainer and a facilitator of learning. I am currently in my 5th year serving as an elected official as a commissioner in Fire District 2—which is one of the most professional organizations with which I have ever had the opportunity to work. I have served as a member of the Board of the Sound Institute, which provided services for at-risk and homeless youth. I have facilitated community meetings in Mason County which led to the successful resolution of contentious issues and paved the way for the passage of EMS levies and I have facilitated strategic planning efforts for a number of community organizations. I am currently a member of the Mason County Re-entry Coalition, which is a group of concerned individuals representing organizations trying to assist incarcerated persons to return to society through a constructive and positive process. I volunteer with Faith in Action in Belfair and I am engaged in providing life skills and personal planning skills for Military Veterans, some of whom are incarcerated and others who are homeless.

I am running for County Commissioner because I want to be in a position to support and promote efforts to improve the Mason County situation concerning: (1) jobs and business; (2) environmental protection; and (3) working together.

1. 1. Improve the Job Situation: I will support and promote efforts to get more people back to work and facilitate the creation of more jobs and small businesses—businesses that are enduring and sustainable and compatible with efforts to maintain and improve our environment. I also intend to seek avenues which will increase part-time and short-term work for those who want and need it. I also intend to work closely with youth programs to support the creation of more opportunities for our young people to build their skills and become productive and contributing citizens.

1. 2. The Environment: I will continue and expand efforts to maintain and protect our salt water, fresh water, forest and tidal environments. Mason County is the home of the Pacific Northwest Salmon Center, the Theler Wetlands, thousands of acres of state forest land and several fish and wildlife conservation areas. It is the productive home of the largest shellfish operation in America. For those of us who live here and many who come here to visit, these areas are places to treasure and enjoy.

1. 3. Working Together. I will facilitate government agencies and community organizations working more closely together. There is a need for more communication, more sharing of ideas, and more cohesion among these partners. If I am elected, I will seek first to strengthen the links between these entities and then encourage them to come together in ways that assure their mutual focus on the needs of the people of Mason County.

Feel free to give me a call (360-440-3527) to share your ideas, or contact me through our website (www.electdennyhamilton.org). I hope to talk to all of you soon and will see you at the next meeting!

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