Jeff Foster running for Grant Co. commissioner  

Jeff Foster sees changes that need to be made in Grant County, feels like he is the man for the job, and is challenging incumbent Commissioner Cindy Carter, who has held the seat since 2007, for the spot. 

"I believe that the people of Grant County should have the issues looked at from a new perspective with new energy!" he writes on his website. "I have the skills and experiences to help the citizens of Grant County and can give back to the community that has been very good to me professionally and personally." 

Foster ran for commissioner unsuccessfully four years ago, and says he needs to flip just 775 votes out of 23,000 to be successful this time around. 

He is originally from Ohio, where he began a career in banking, and moved to Washington in 1980, living in both the Tri-Cities and Moses Lake. 

"My responsibilities from 1980 through 1996 included providing loans, investments, and other financial services to clients in Grant County and the Columbia Basin from Connell to Odessa and Quincy to Ritzville," Foster wrote. 

Foster then changed careers from banking to real estate, purchasing a real estate company in 1997 and until 2016 "owned and operated a successful real estate brokerage." 

He then merged Advantage Real Estate with Windermere/K2 Real Estate, and then in 2017 "put together three property management companies (Advantage/Windermere/United Country) to form Windermere Property Management Grant County (WPMGC), which Foster continues to manage and "provide real estate services to many clients from the past 26 years."

His experience with both banking and real estate have given him skills that can help the county, Foster feels.

"I am the best candidate to help Grant County!" he wrote. "I am the only candidate with over 46 years of successful business management, customer service experience, numerous Board of Directors positions and community service. I know how to lead and actively participate in meetings. My successes in problem solving, budget review, negotiations with stakeholders, clients, vendors, and unions are proven."

Foster has also served as chairman for the Moses Lake Irrigation District, served on boards in the banking business including the Washington Bankers Association, Columbia Basin Regional Health Network), in the real estate industry (Northwest Multiple Listing Service, Moses Lake/Othello Association of Realtors, and Washington Realtors Presidents Advisory

Groups), and has done community service as a volunteer for various groups (VFW Auxilary #24, Sons of the American Legion, Rotary, Kiwanis, Bailie Memorial Youth Ranch and Foundation, United Way, Ducks Unlimited, Moses Lake Volleyball Association).

Foster's goals for the county include making sure it is fiscally responsible. 

"The spending of the people's money is one of the highest priorities of the Grant

County Commissioners," he wrote. "The funds are not 'the government's money'! The funds

are the PEOPLES MONEY! 

"The Commissioners must be sure that Grant County is able to compete for new

businesses, industry and tourism while trying to balance the impacts of providing

the infrastructure and services needed. We must find ways and the resources to

help make it easier to do business with Grant County. New business and industry

mean new jobs and increased tax revenues. The new revenues then help provide

the money for the many resources that Grant County provides to its citizens."

Another of Foster's goals is "making sure that common sense is used in planning."

"I promise to work with the Planning Department to develop common sense

approach to planning," he wrote. "The forecast for new housing needs throughout Grant County is astounding! More and more regulations are making it nearly impossible to

provide the housing necessary to handle all the demand, let alone allow for

'affordable housing'. 

He contends Grant County should review its existing requirements and the state's "that inflate development and construction costs" and don't make sense, passing the costs on to the consumer.

Foster also writes about the law and justice system in the county.

"Grant County has a huge responsibility to protect the safety and rights of our

citizens," he says. "I will work hard with each level to be sure that the entire law and justice

system from the Sheriff's Office to the Prosecutor's office, to the Judges, to be sure that the resources are available to properly handle the tasks of keeping all of

us safe and protecting our civil rights."

Improving the environments of the different departments of the county is another goal of Foster's. 

"I have been told and have experienced firsthand that the culture or atmosphere in many Grant County departments and agencies is not what it could be," he writes. County employees "are great!" he says, but they "need to know that they are appreciated" and need to have the training and resources to do their jobs." He advocates routine surveys that "would allow us to find areas of concern by getting feedback from all stakeholders - those doing the work and the people of Grant County."

Repairing the relationship between the people and the government is a challenge Foster wants to take on as well.

"I believe that government at most all levels is suffering from a lack of trust," he wrote. "Our

challenge is to regain and maintain the trust of the people. The first step in doing so is looking at the services and resources that Grant County is providing. Are we doing the best we can? Is there more that could be done? Are there things the county shouldn't be doing? Constantly asking and answering those questions will help Grant County educate its citizens as to why and how things must be done. I promise you, I will not accept 'That's how it's always been done' as an answer!"