Ron Wesen - Skagit County Commissioner, D1 (R)

Background / qualifying experiences

I have been a Skagit County Commissioner. I am fourth generation dairy farmer and businessman. The Wesen family operate an organic centennial dairy farm in Bow-Edison. I am a graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Louis Obispo with a Bachelor of Science degree, I have a long history of leadership in the agricultural community.

Handling the pandemic through 2021

Skagit County Public Health has been dealing with COVID-19 since early March, 2020. They began a drive-through test site. This would not be possible if not for the many good volunteers. Public Health has been doing the contract tracing of all positive cases who live in Skagit County, to make sure people are aware that they have been in contact with a positive case and to quarantine themselves. Public Health has data and information available on social media and its website. Social distance, wash hands and wear masks.

County climate change solutions

We need to adapt to changes in our climate. Work with dike districts to make dikes wider, not taller and more stable. Work with drainage district to continue to make improvements to remove excess rain water and help our agricultural industry adopt more efficient irrigation practices.

County affordable housing solutions

Skagit County has one of the lowest vacancy rates in the state. More units need to be built. Growth Management Act has a goal of 80% of the growth to take place in cities. We need to encourage a variety of different zoning options for these units to be built, working with the many nonprofit housing groups to help allow this to happen.

County water and salmon recovery solutions

Skagit County has partnered on many different salmon projects with the many different non-profits groups, tribes and private property owners to improve the salmon habitat. Skagit County has replaced over 50 substandard culverts, which opens up more upstream habitat. Department of Ecology is responsible for water rights in this state. Skagit County must make sure water is legally available and present before we issue any building permits. Rain catchment systems are allowed along with piped water for building permits.

Best ways to position the county for 2050

The question all of us need to ask, is where do we want to put the people who choose to come to Skagit County? The population has been increasing over time. Skagit County cannot stop people from coming, we can only restrict where the new construction takes place. I believe new construction should be encouraged in the cities and towns and Urban Growth Areas around them. Multi-family units or apartments are not allowed in unincorporated parts of the county. New development must pay for its (own) improvements. We all need to encourage cities and towns to allow more development where the infrastructure is currently located.