Running for Franklin County Commissioner, but doesn't live in the county
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TRI-CITIES, Wash. -- Mark Faith is running for commissioner in Franklin County even though his home is in West Richland. KEPR gave Faith the chance to sort out his residency rumors.
Faith has a twenty minute drive from his home in West Richland to Franklin County. But he says his address doesn't define his loyalties.
He explains, "I've never felt as connected to people or an environment as Franklin County."
In fact, he's worked in the Franklin County Building Department for seven years.
Faith continues, "I spend a vast majority more time in Franklin County."
Washington State law says you have to live in the same county you represent. So how is Faith qualified to run for commissioner? Because he's staying in Pasco, using his friend's address.
Faith tells KEPR, "He's just letting me stay there, until I get a chance to move my family over."
To get both sides of this story, Action News spoke with Rosie Rumsey, one of Faith's biggest opponents.
Rumsey says, "It's important not only to live in the county that you're running in, but you need to be where you're working."
Rumsey also works for Franklin County, as Director of Human Resources.
She continues, "Taxpayer dollars from the citizens are paying for your salary. And you need to live in the county."
In the end, it's up to the voters and when we talked to a sampling of them, opinions went both ways.
One Pasco resident says, "I don't think need somebody from another county running for office in our county. He stills needs to be living here in the county to understand the county's problems."
Another local disagrees, "He lives like 20 minutes away. It's not a far drive. He's still a part of the Tri-Cities, really, and it shouldn't matter."
Ballots are due August 8th, when we will see if Faith's address is enough to sway the votes.
Win or lose, Faith tells KEPR he is planning to move to Franklin County, but will take more time for the transition if the statute isn't holding him back.
Faith has a twenty minute drive from his home in West Richland to Franklin County. But he says his address doesn't define his loyalties.
He explains, "I've never felt as connected to people or an environment as Franklin County."
In fact, he's worked in the Franklin County Building Department for seven years.
Faith continues, "I spend a vast majority more time in Franklin County."
Washington State law says you have to live in the same county you represent. So how is Faith qualified to run for commissioner? Because he's staying in Pasco, using his friend's address.
Faith tells KEPR, "He's just letting me stay there, until I get a chance to move my family over."
To get both sides of this story, Action News spoke with Rosie Rumsey, one of Faith's biggest opponents.
Rumsey says, "It's important not only to live in the county that you're running in, but you need to be where you're working."
Rumsey also works for Franklin County, as Director of Human Resources.
She continues, "Taxpayer dollars from the citizens are paying for your salary. And you need to live in the county."
In the end, it's up to the voters and when we talked to a sampling of them, opinions went both ways.
One Pasco resident says, "I don't think need somebody from another county running for office in our county. He stills needs to be living here in the county to understand the county's problems."
Another local disagrees, "He lives like 20 minutes away. It's not a far drive. He's still a part of the Tri-Cities, really, and it shouldn't matter."
Ballots are due August 8th, when we will see if Faith's address is enough to sway the votes.
Win or lose, Faith tells KEPR he is planning to move to Franklin County, but will take more time for the transition if the statute isn't holding him back.
