| Buck, Van De Wege differ sharply on issues at two forums
in same day PORT ANGELES -- The two candidates for 24th District state representative displayed sharp differences on several issues during forums Tuesday before the Port Angeles Business Association and during an evening television taping. Sequim firefighter Kevin Van De Wege, a Democrat, is challenging Rep. Jim Buck, R-Joyce, for the 24th District House seat that Buck has held since 1994. During Tuesday night's hour-long taping, Buck said he opposed impact fees for development, such as growth occurring in the Sequim area. Charging up front for development stifles growth, he said. Van De Wege said he favors impact fees because development brings impacts along with the additional taxes and jobs. Their videotaped candidates forum before a panel consisting of Peninsula Daily News Executive Editor Rex Wilson and Commentary Page Editor Paul Gottlieb, and Peninsula News Network anchor Dennis Bragg, will be cablecast at 8 tonight on Wave Broadband channel 3. Buck and Van De Wege differed on the state Growth Management Act. Buck said it is ``ridiculous'' for local governments to get the state's permission on how their communities will grow. Van De Wege said the act prevents urban sprawl and preserves open spaces, helping to promote tourism, which is important to the area's economy. RELATED STORY: Representative candidates square off on fundraising October 19th, 2004 - 5:49am (Port Angeles) -- Candidates for 24th District Representative met
face to face last night on the topic of political contributions. Incumbent
Republican Jim Buck and Democratic challenger Kevin Van De Wege appeared
at a forum last night at Port Angeles City Hall. Buck says inside
the 24th District, 55-thousand dollars have come from 750 people that
think enough of him to send him back to Olympia. Buck says 80 percent
of the 55-thousand dollars will be spent on Clallam, Jefferson and
Grays Harbor County businesses who will deliver his campaign. Van
De Wege says his campaign has raised 90-thousand dollars -- 49-thousand
from inside the 24th District and 41-thousand from outside. Van De
Wege says 88 percent of the money raised inside the district will
be spent here. Buck says his campaign contributions from outside the
24th District are being donated to other Republican races across the
state. The Public Disclosure Commission provides public access to
information about the financing of political campaigns and to ensure
compliance with disclosure provisions, contribution limits, campaign
practices and other campaign finance laws.
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