The next election is just around the corner and it is time to complete your ballot. Let me add the caveat that you should vote if, and only if, you have taken the time to understand what your vote means. This is where I come to save the day.

For many years my readers have been able to rely on my advice on certain issues. I spend the time necessary to evaluate the options and provide for the most logical and beneficial option.

There are two races/issues on the local ballots that are of interest to the average Whitman County voter. One is the race for Whitman County commissioner and the other is for the expansion of Pullman Regional Hospital. I also have a gripe that I need to air, again.

Let me start with my gripe. Back in 2018 there was a proposition for the City of Pullman that would allow the city to move into a less cramped city hall and provide money to build an event house at Lawson Gardens. After the vote, information surfaced that led me to believe we were sold on something that was technically correct but clearly wasn’t in the spirit of what we were being told. It was like a shady salesman at a 1970s used car lot.

In the news this past week I heard the city has decided to take money earmarked for the Lawson Garden house and use it on other things. This is just another way in which Proposition 1 in 2018 was full of horse manure. Such sales tactics in a large metropolitan is, sadly, expected of politicians. I expect and hold our local leaders to a higher standard.

In the race for county commissioner, incumbent Michael Largent faces challenger John-Mark Mahnkey. While Largent had intended on retiring, it seemed that no quality candidates had filed to fill the position. Because of this, a number of people asked Largent to run again. Largent did not disappoint. He is running again to serve the residents of Whitman County.

I have heard a number of Mahnkey’s ads on the radio. I have also read literature that was posted by Mahnkey (or his supporters) via his website. One of the ads I heard was about how Mahnkey’s website provided great information about the issues and where he stands. I checked but I cannot see what he actually proposes to do in order to fix things he believes are problems.

His website provides information that appears to indicate that Mahnkey will do like most Democrats. He will take more money from the taxpayer and throw it at these perceived problems. Free money for everyone.

In his first value statement, he writes about freedom. He says that those who are not well off financially have less freedom. He said that it is the responsibility of the county to “ensure that everyone living here has the freedom to succeed.”

Remember, he says that freedom, or the lack thereof, is because of a lack of money. He states it is the county’s responsibility to fix this. But there are no explicit plans. Instead, the implicit plan is to throw the taxpayer’s money at this undefined issue. This is just one area where he wants to spend money.

Largent understands the difficulties of tight purse strings in the county coffers. He sets priorities about where to spend our finite money supply.

Pullman Regional Hospital is placing Proposition 1 on the ballot for those who live in the hospital district. This would increase property taxes approximately $76 a year for every $100,000 of assessed value. In September, the median price for a home sold in Pullman was $460,000. That means the new homeowners would pay approximately $350 a year.

The hospital is expanding and needs more room. As the population of Pullman grows it makes sense to have more specialized doctors working in Pullman. This saves our citizens from traveling to distant lands. The citizens of Pullman must decide if having more doctors and medical expertise in Pullman is valuable to them. If so, then I suppose a “yes” vote on Prop. 1 is in order.

Anderson was the co-host and producer of a conservative talk radio show before hanging up the headphones. He has a degree in philosophy and enjoys photography, woodworking, and sports. When not computer programming, he volunteers in the community.