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.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman