In the rapidly-growing city of Ocean Shores, there are three new candidates competing for a seat in Position 7 on the City Council: Patric Hayes, David Linn, and Rich Hartman.
To help voters narrow the choice ahead of the Aug. 3 primary, The Daily World sent a list of questions to each candidate, including their number one priority, and how the city should respond to its unprecedented recent growth. Below are their answers in the order received.
Patric Hayes
Biography
My wife and I moved to Ocean Shores in early 2015 having lived in the Los Angeles area of California our whole lives. We originally only planned on this city to be our vacation home, but we decided to pull up roots and move here permanently. I have been the director of operations for a multimillion-dollar, hi-tech company. Prior to moving to Ocean Shores, I spent 20 years consulting to, and then working for, the second biggest law firm in the U.S. developing software solutions to facilitate client management. I currently work for DSHS as a Senior Software Developer.
Why did you decide to run this year?
I have been active in local politics for quite a while. I saw the need to change our leadership due to the general perception of mismanagement and lack of transparency. I felt that my ideas, along with the support of our citizens, that I could make a positive change to move our city forward.
What is the number one issue facing Ocean Shores in the immediate future, and how would you tackle that issue?
Ocean Shores’ main issue is the attention needed to restore our fresh waterways. This problem has been talked about for almost 20 years. To address the problem I would ask that a new department be created, the Fresh Waterways Department. The city needs to put resources and money fixing the lake/canal problems. We have two groups whose charter it is to protect, maintain and mitigate problems with the waterways. They have dedicated, intelligent and resourceful members. They are the experts. We need to look to them for guidance and solutions. We, as a community, need to pick a solution and see it to its completion. Nothing will be done unless there is total buy-in from our community.
The city is experiencing unprecedented growth. How would you work to balance that growth with available resources, and maintain Ocean Shores’ coastal community allure?
Ocean Shores needs to have a long-term goal and a plan to achieve it with regards to our growth. We need to be planning now for our future life. Without this road map, we would never have an idea of how to get to our destination. We need to make sure that our infrastructure is in place and well maintained before we hit critical mass. We need to make sure our ordinances reflect the changing social construct and new technologies that are constantly changing. We need to invest in our police, fire department and public safety projects. We need to remember that we are a small tourist beach town with a population of mostly retired people.
David Linn
Biography
I have lived in Ocean Shores for more than 12 years. I moved here from Cleveland with a stop in Denver for a year and a half. I earned degrees from Ohio State University (M.A., Finance), the University of Dayton (MBA), and Case Institute of Technology (B.S., Mathematics). I have worked as a motorcycle mechanic, a manufacturing engineer, an investment manager and an investment consultant. I worked for more than 25 years in the pension fund world, including teachers, public employees and trade unions retirement plans. I was responsible for investing several billions of dollars of their funds in commercial real estate, such as office buildings, industrial parks, retail centers and multi-family residential properties.
2. Why did you decide to run this year?
I am running for city council because I believe it is the most effective way for me to have a positive impact on this beautiful small town. I chose to retire here because Ocean Shores is a quiet and friendly place with a closeness to nature and its wildlife. Many of us moved here for the same reason, and together we can work to preserve the quality of life that attracted us to Ocean Shores. I have been a public participant at council meetings and have commented on topics of importance to our quality of life, but a three-minute presentation does not get any action. I want to be on the other side of the table as a council member so that I can have greater input to effect positive change.
3. What is the number one issue facing Ocean Shores in the immediate future, and how would you tackle that issue?
A fundamental area of concern is the lack of long-term planning. The city is operating day-to-day with no sense of direction. This leads to short-term actions in response to the crisis of the moment. While work is underway on a Comprehensive Plan, I feel that it is a very general concept and that specific plans need to be put in place to guide our growth. Growth will occur and it must be managed to ensure a quality outcome.
In addition, we need better, and more specific, budgeting. It seems that almost everything goes into the general account where it can too easily be moved around from one area to another. The council must require more specifics on how every dollar is budgeted and spent. The council needs to have more oversight of spending and conduct audits when there are cost overruns on any project.
4. The city is experiencing unprecedented growth. How would you work to balance that growth with available resources, and maintain Ocean Shores’ coastal community allure?
We can, and we must, have balanced growth. Currently, we are experiencing uncontrolled growth which is harming the character of Ocean Shores.
Our financial resources must be carefully budgeted and spent on those things that have the highest priority. One immediate need is to fully staff all of the city’s departments to that they can carry out their responsibilities. Currently, we are understaffed in numerous areas, which is leading to a decline in the quality of life for all of our citizens. We have been operating with this deficit in staffing for too long and the negative effects are showing all around town.
I would like to see Ocean Shores develop into a city that emphasizes health and wellness, as well as an environmentally conscious destination. Being so close to the Olympic National Park, this is a natural stop for those who travel to the park to enjoy the beauty and spirituality that it possesses. We have the natural resources here to complement those in the park and we should enhance them for our visitors.
Rich Hartman
Biography
I moved to Grays Harbor in 1997. I started Five Star Dealerships and have been working there ever since. I purchased property in Ocean Shores in the early 2000s and built a home at the Jetty. We used the home mostly for weekends, holidays and during the summers when the kids were out of school. I also lived on North Ocean Shores Boulevard. I served on the Community Club Board for two terms, and have sponsored the Sand and Sawdust festival for 20 years. I also served on the Montesano School board for five years, and have been deeply involved with the United Way and our Gala, as well as numerous other local nonprofits.
2. Why did you decide to run this year?
I decided to run because I had “time” to donate for the first time in my life. I have sold a major part of my business stock to my two partners, and I felt it was time to step up and serve, if the voters see fit. I love Ocean Shores, and I want to be part of helping it plan for its next 50 years.
3. What is the number one issue facing Ocean Shores in the immediate future, and how would you tackle that issue?
There are many things the city needs to work on, but the most important first step is to have a functional council. The seven members need to strive to work better together, and to certainly communicate better with one another. There needs to be a planning meeting with all seven members so they can map out an agenda for the city that they can all support, so they can start being proactive, chipping away at projects. There will always be issues that come up that need council’s immediate attention, but the “list” of priorities should always be the priority to go back to, so that they can feel like they are actually accomplishing things. Focused, united and working together for the betterment of the city. We have great leaders on the council now. With a little work, I think great things will be achieved. But make no mistake, I could have 20 top priorities, but I would need the rest of the council to feel as passionate about those priorities as I do, or they will never be realized. This is a team sport!
4. The city is experiencing unprecedented growth. How would you work to balance that growth with available resources, and maintain Ocean Shores’ coastal community allure?
The number one priority would be to achieve full employment for city departments. We have many openings that are harming the way we do business with the public, and stifling the current, overworked staff from carrying out all of their duties. We already have good laws and ordinances, but what we need are the staff members available to carry out all the tasks, and enforce all of the rules. When that is achieved, we can start to see if there are any other measures we need to put into place for the betterment of the community.
