Pubdate: Fri, 09 Jun 2006 Source: Daily News, The (Longview, WA) Copyright: 2006 The Daily News Contact: http://www.tdn.com/forms/letters.php Website: http://www.tdn.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2621 Author: Don Jenkins DEFENDING NEEDLE PROGRAM, YOUNG CANDIDATES HOPE TO UNSEAT RASMUSSEN Both Democrats launching campaigns for Cowlitz County commissioner graduated from Longview high schools in 1997 and both say incumbent Republican Jeff Rasmussen erred in opposing the county's needle-exchange program. "Jeff was way off the mark," Axel Swanson said. "I like the way the needle-exchange program is working right now," Chuck Wallace said. Swanson, 26, and Wallace, 27, have filed as candidates with the Public Disclosure Commission against Rasmussen, who announced last week he will seek a third 4-year term as 3rd District commissioner. In separate interviews Thursday, Swanson and Wallace said they supported a six-year-old county program that allows drug addicts to swap used needles for clean ones. Rasmussen, 38, sought to end the program or at least charge addicts for the needles. Wallace, a former Army police officer, said he talked with county health officials and came away thinking the program was going in the right direction. Swanson, a former Marine reservist and recent law school graduate, said the program prevents disease and puts addicts in touch with health officials who can get them into treatment. A $70,000 state grant funds the program. Rasmussen said Tuesday the money would be better spent on convincing students to never try illegal drugs He likened giving addicts clean needles to repeatedly pulling swimmers from dangerous waters, but never keeping them out of the water. So far, Rasmussen has failed to sway a second commissioner to support his view. "I've made my position very clear," he said. "Until there's a change from one of the other two commissioners, I don't plan to propose any more changes." Swanson was student body president at R.A. Long High School. He graduated from Lower Columbia College, Gonzaga University in Spokane and, last month, from a law school in Vermont. He also served in the Marine reserves for six years. Swanson said he's studying for the bar exam, though he said he would prefer a career in politics or teaching. While in high school, Swanson shared the stage with President Clinton during a campaign stop in Longview in 1996. Clinton met the teenager and remarked, "Today, he looks a lot more like a future president than I did" as a teen. Swanson admits to being politically ambitious, and young. "I absolutely expect to get asked about (my age). Twenty-six is a little young, but in the last 10 years, I've done everything to get myself ready for this," said Swanson, who turns 27 next month. "We can stand to lose a little experience on the commission and gain a little in potential and fresh ideas." Wallace joined the Army shortly after graduating from Mark Morris High School. He served as a customs investigator while stationed in Germany. His duties included preventing military personnel and civilian contractors from smuggling contraband out of Iraq. Honorably discharged in March 2005, Wallace said he attended Clark College and worked at Corwin Beverage in Ridgefield, Wash., before becoming a meter reader in January for a company that contracts with the Cowlitz PUD. Wallace said he was always interested in law enforcement, but has shifted his thoughts to public office. "When I was in law enforcement, I really had a good feeling about the job I was doing," he said. "But I realized I could only have so much impact on a community from a patrol car." Wallace named his campaign committee the Positive Change Committee. A newcomer to politics, Wallace is still working to elaborate on that theme. "I'm confident I can effect positive change." County commissioners currently receive an annual salary of $67,212. Candidates must file with the county Auditor's Office in late July to secure a spot in the September primary. Although commissioners are elected countywide in the general election, the primary will be limited to voters in the 3rd District. The district includes West Longview, Castle Rock, Toutle, Silver Lake and Ryderwood. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman