GRANT COUNTY — Patti Paris is running for Grant County PUD position two.

“Grant County is my home,” she explained. “I’ve lived here most of my life. My husband Dale, and I have raised our family here. We have many friends and family who own and operate farms and businesses in Grant County. I want to preserve this county as a great place to live.”

Paris said she is frustrated with how the commission functions with the PUD and rate payers for the past 10 years.

She explained the commission has been narrowly focused on specific issues and are sometimes at odds with each other, creating tension among themselves and impeding their ability to make timely decisions.

Paris has worked as a chief financial officer with Columbia Colstor for the past 10 years and prior to that, she was an accountant at the PUD.

She explained her finance background will help her make sound budget decisions. Paris said she is concerned with fiscal responsibility among the commission as well as communication from the commission to PUD staff.

She has experience working with big businesses and several boards of directors and understands the requirements of making large, impacting decisions.

She said she wants to establish a stronger line of open communication between the commissioners, PUD and the public.

“I know first hand that there are talented, dedicated employees at the PUD,” Paris stated. “I also know that we have wonderful residents, a tremendous agriculture base and productive contributing industries. It would be best for everyone to find more balance among competing philosophies and priorities as we all depend on the power the PUD provides. I believe my knowledge of the organization, my education and experience in business and finance, and my commitment to strive toward a sound future for everyone will help me to be effective as a commissioner.”

Paris said she has a desire to preserve local power for local use and to prevent federal government intervention on how power is allocated.

She explained she has is the ability to be open-minded and objective to issues and will give all critical issues equal attention.

Paris grew up in Moses Lake working at her father’s restaurant. She graduated from Eastern Washington University with an accounting degree in 1989.