Candidate: 'New generation of leadership needed in Franklin County'
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PASCO, Wash. -- Franklin County Commissioners have been working hard to maintain transparency, after a multi-million dollar fraud scandal was exposed in February.
And now that election season is officially underway, those same commissioners may have to fight a little harder to keep their job.
Candidates officially filed for election or re-election by May 18.
Patrick Barnett is running for District 2 Commissioner. He says this year's massive $1.7 million embezzlement case in the Public Works Department is the perfect example of where current leaders failed on the job.
"In business, when you're at the helm of the ship, you are responsible," says Barnett. "That's accountability. Whether you did it or not, anybody on your watch, you are responsible for what they do."
But current District 2 Commissioner says simply, "We can't dwell on this Public Works fraud. We just have to carry on."
Voters tell Action News, while the theft won't be the only factor in their election decision, it will definitely contribute.
Henry Montelongo of Pasco says, "There's no doubt, the issue slipped on the people in charge. And they should have been more careful, for sure."
But Barnett says the fraud isn't the only reason the current administration is falling short. He believes the county should already be doing more to attract business, as a way of balancing dwindling revenues.
"We need to be able to create an environment that people will want to come to. And you need to have somebody that can go out there and entertain these folks and show them why Franklin County is the place to be."
When Action News asked Commissioner Koch about the concept of attracting new business to the county, he said, "The only way you can increase revenue is by raising taxes, and I'm not for that."
It's just one of many issues in Franklin County that will ultimately be up to voters.
The primary election takes place on Tuesday, August 7.
And now that election season is officially underway, those same commissioners may have to fight a little harder to keep their job.
Candidates officially filed for election or re-election by May 18.
Patrick Barnett is running for District 2 Commissioner. He says this year's massive $1.7 million embezzlement case in the Public Works Department is the perfect example of where current leaders failed on the job.
"In business, when you're at the helm of the ship, you are responsible," says Barnett. "That's accountability. Whether you did it or not, anybody on your watch, you are responsible for what they do."
But current District 2 Commissioner says simply, "We can't dwell on this Public Works fraud. We just have to carry on."
Voters tell Action News, while the theft won't be the only factor in their election decision, it will definitely contribute.
Henry Montelongo of Pasco says, "There's no doubt, the issue slipped on the people in charge. And they should have been more careful, for sure."
But Barnett says the fraud isn't the only reason the current administration is falling short. He believes the county should already be doing more to attract business, as a way of balancing dwindling revenues.
"We need to be able to create an environment that people will want to come to. And you need to have somebody that can go out there and entertain these folks and show them why Franklin County is the place to be."
When Action News asked Commissioner Koch about the concept of attracting new business to the county, he said, "The only way you can increase revenue is by raising taxes, and I'm not for that."
It's just one of many issues in Franklin County that will ultimately be up to voters.
The primary election takes place on Tuesday, August 7.
