Thompson appointed to vacant County Commissioner position

Terry Thompson will fill the vacant Commissioner District No. 3 position on the Adams County Board of Commissioners.

During the April 16 meeting in Ritzville, the Adams County Board of Commissioners voted to appoint Thompson to the vacant position, effective May 2.

Thompson will take over the seat, which has been vacant since former commissioner Jeff Stevens resigned on March 15.

In his resignation letter, Stevens explained he intended to retire from the board in August 2017, but he was persuaded to stay on the board through the budgeting cycle.

Thompson was one of three applicants, for the position along with Roger Farwell and Mike Garza. The candidates were interviewed at a meeting held by the Adams County Republican Central Committee on April 11.

In a letter to the commissioners, Adams County Republican Central Committee Chairman Mike Kline said the committee referred all three candidates for consideration for appointment.

He noted the Adams County Auditor confirmed all three candidates lived in the appropriate district.

During the deliberation on April 16, Adams County Prosecutor Randy Flyckt informed the commissioners they were not required to conduct final interviews with the candidates, they only needed to fill the vacancy within 60 days after Stevens’ resignation.

Both Chairman John Marshall and Vice Chairman Roger Hartwig had attended the April 11 meeting and listened to the candidate interviews. They were satisfied with the answers they received from the applicants and did not conduct additional interviews.

Hartwig noted Thompson had demonstrated knowledge of how the county’s budget works, and the different costs and spending associated with the county’s departments.

Thompson also demonstrated knowledge of the state representatives and officials.

Hartwig also noted Thompson is well known in the City of Othello and the district he resides in. He also participates on different organizations, including the Adams County Development Council.

Based on the interview process, Marshall said he believed Thompson was the best candidate for the position in regards to the continuity of the board.

Both Hartwig and Marshall said they encouraged Farwell and Garza to continue to be involved in politics and to file for the fall election for Commissioner District No. 3.

Thompson’s term in the District No. 3 position will last until after the 2018 General Election in November. He can file for election for the Commissioner No. 3 position when candidate filing opens on May 14.