Len Englund and Ron Hall are vying for Lakehaven Utility District position 1. Below are statements written by each candidate.

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Len Englund’s opening statement at the Oct. 13 debate

Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen.

I’d like to thank the Federal Way Mirror for hosting this forum tonight.

…And thank you all for attending and becoming informed voters…

…Mr. Hall, I don’t recall seeing you at our Lakehaven board meetings. So, it is nice to finally meet you and put a name with a face.

Last April a vacancy was declared on the Lakehaven board. The board of commissioners who you elected chose me out of a field of nine applicants. I am humbled and honored to serve you as an appointed commissioner.

Today I am running to retain my seat in order to continue serving you, the ratepayer (or as I like to say, “the Customer”).

I bring a diversity of skills to the board from being a former business owner to community volunteer to Information Technology professional.

When I was in business, I hired and fired, I met a payroll and turned a failing business to profitability within a years time!

These days, In my professional life, I manage over 2100 high end cad/cam systems nationwide for the Boeing Company.

In our community I volunteered to help select a principle for the Federal Way Public Schools, I’ve also served on the budget committee where we sliced $6.5M from the school’s budget and I currently serve as a technical advisor on the school districts Technology Committee.

Last May I was honored to be an event judge at the Han Woo Ri – Korean Cultural Festival.

I’ve been a Scout leader for both Boy and Girl Scouts.

I am committed to our community and to you the consumer.

I bring a diversity of experience, volunteerism and technical expertise to the Lakehaven board. I ask that you return me as your Commissioner to the Lakehaven Utility Board.

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A letter from candidate Ron Hall

Letter to the Editor, Federal Way Mirror:

Vote for Experience and Proven Ability, not Political Endorsements

You may have noticed that my opponent is seeking the support and endorsements of local politicians. You will not get this from me. As commissioner of Lakehaven Utility District, I will represent you, the rate payer, not Federal Way elected officials, not political parties, only you. The commissioner position is a steward of the rate payers and the environment, not a steward of political individuals and parties, none of which have any role in managing the District. I am not a politician. I am a utility district manager with 24 years experience who has dedicated my professional and educational experience to the betterment of water, wastewater and the environment.

I believe that my experience and education will benefit the community my family lives in by serving on the Lakehaven Utility District Board of Commissioners. My education is in Wastewater Technology, Organizational Leadership, Human Resources, Accounting/Finance and Utility Management. I have spent 24 years in the industry, the last few managing a sewer district with two treatment plants, comparable to Lakehaven. When Lakehaven Utility District staff request funds for plant upgrades, new equipment and new industry technologies, wouldn’t you like to have someone on the Board who knows exactly what they are asking for? When the Board of Commissioners is reviewing an annual multi-million-dollar utility district budget, wouldn’t you like to have someone representing you that has an understanding of preparing and reviewing this type of budget? Sometime during the next decade, the Department of Ecology will be modifying NPDES Permits for treatment plants that discharge wastewater into Puget Sound. This will require treatment plant upgrades that involve the removal of phosphorous and/or nitrogen. This may cost millions. Whose background and experience will better represent you? When the Board of Commissioners discuss potential water and sewer rate increases, who will better represent you – someone with no prior public utility experience, or someone who manages a District with the second lowest rates in King County?

In the Voters’ Pamphlet, my opponent’s statement quotes “to insure we all continue to have excellent quality drinking water and effective waste management”. Waste management is trash service. Do you want a commissioner representing you who doesn’t even know the difference between waste management and wastewater treatment?

Lakehaven Utility District is a well run District with a great staff and I only wish to add to the talent by representing you. Not as a politician, but as a utility district professional with extensive knowledge, experience, education and 24 years of dedication in water and wastewater. I have not sought any endorsements, because in this particular position what politicos I may know is irrelevant. The only real benefit anyone can offer you is their knowledge, experience and common sense.

— Ronald (Ron) Hall, Candidate for Lakehaven Utility District Commissioner Position #1