We asked the following questions of our local candidates. Responses are listed alphabetically for each, by category.
Judicial Questionnaire:
Travis Brandt
http://brandtforjudge.com/
Q: Are you presently or have you ever been a landlord ?
A: Yes. My siblings and I were left with our father's residence when he passed away. We are renting out his residence.
Q: How do you think the Judicial branch of government should relate to the legislative branch of government ?
A: I believe each branch of government has it's own distinct role to play in order for our government to be effective and to run as intended by the framers of our State and Federal Constitutions. I believe very firmly that a judge's role is to follow the law in every case, and not attempt to change or modify the law. Occasionally, a Judge may personally disagree with a particular law. However, in my view, a judge must have the ability to set his or her personal feelings aside and follow the law as it is written. It is the legislature's duty to modify the law, not the court's.
Q: Have you represented any party in unlawful detainer actions, whether on the landlord's or tenant's side?
A: In my law practice I do not normally handle unlawful detainer actions. However, there may have been one or two occasions over the past twelve years where I have represented a tenant in an unlawful detainer action.
Q: What would you do to get up to speed on residential landlord tenant law if you are unfamiliar with it?
A: The first thing I would do is to study the Residential Landlord Tenant Act, contained in RCW 59.18. I would also read cases that have dealt with issues that arise under that Act. I would also review any secondary materials I could find relating to the matter, but always follow the law. One thing I pride myself on as an attorney is that I am always prepared to go to court. I am a hard worker and I am willing to do what is necessary in order to do an effective job for my clients. I will bring the same work ethic to the bench.
Q: How important to you are private property rights ?
A: Property rights are a fundamental right. Article I, section 3 of the Washington State Constitution reads: "PERSONAL RIGHTS. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law." I will follow the Constitution if elected and protect individuals property rights.
Ruth Esparza
facebook.com/pages/Committee-to-Elect-Ruth-Esparza-for-Judge/
Q: Are you presently or have you ever been a landlord ?
A: Yes, I am a landlord.
Q: How do you think the Judicial branch of government should relate to the legislative branch of government ?
A: The judicial branch's role in regards to the legislative branch is twofold: 1) To uphold the laws as enacted by the legislative branch as long as the laws pass constitutional scrutiny; 2) Have input on the judicial system’s portion of the budget in order to maintain the judiciary's financial health.
Q. Have you represented any party in unlawful detainer actions, whether on the landlord's or tenant's side ?
A: I have litigated many cases involving the Landlord Tenant Act and the Mobile Home Landlord Tenant Act, therefore I have extensive experience in both the statutory standards and procedural aspects of landlord tenant law. Although I have represented tenants, I always investigate cases carefully to ensure that there is merit to the case because I understand that landlords have property interests and rights.
Q: What would you do to get up to speed on residential landlord tenant law if you are unfamiliar with it ?
A: I stay current on landlord tenant law.
Q: How important to you are private property rights ?
A: My top priority is to protect our constitutional guarantees by making sure that the rule of law is upheld and our rights are protected.
Alicia Nakata
http://alicianakata.com/
http://www.facebook.com/ElectJudgeAliciaNakata
Q: Are you presently or have you ever been a landlord?
A: Yes, Nakata Orchards is the landlord of several residential properties in East Wenatchee. Lucky for me, my oldest sister manages the properties and her husband is a master craftsman and handyman.
Q: How do you think the judicial branch of government should relate to the legislative branch of government?
A: The people exercise their power over what the law should be by electing their representatives to the legislative branch and enacting laws through the initiative process. A trial judge such as the district and superior court manages the presentation of evidence insuring that all are given a respectful opportunity to be heard and then applies the law to those facts. A judge should always be aware that the public interest in having the law applied as enacted by the legislative branch is of paramount importance. The populist tradition in Washington of electing judges helps to insure a judge’s awareness of this important responsibility or face the consequence of losing office. I’ve successfully been elected 5 times as a Chelan Co. District Court judge.
Q: Have you represented any party in unlawful detainer actions, whether on the landlord’s or tenant’s side?
A: Because I’ve been a sitting judge for 18 years, the judicial ethical rules do not allow me to represent clients. However, the ethical rules do allow me to give legal advice to my sister about how to evict problematic tenants.
Q: What would you do to get up to speed on residential landlord tenant law if you are unfamiliar?
A: As a judge, I have ruled in hundreds of Landlord/Tenant law suits that have been in front of me. My mastery of the residential landlord tenant laws will enable me to make a skillful transition from the District Court to the Superior Court bench.
Q: How important to you are private property rights?
A: My family actively farms 100+ acres of orchard property in 5 different parcels in East Wenatchee and owns several residential properties. I am a third generation orchardist. We have been involved in landlord tenant, eminent domain, easement, malicious mischief/theft, zoning, tort claims and other use of property cases that can happen to any property owner. I value a property owner’s right to pursue a living in a fair and honest manner that is respectful to one’s neighbor’s use of their property.
Charles Steinberg
http://www.facebook.com/Steinberg4Judge
http://www.steinberg4judge.com
Q: Are you presently or have you ever been a landlord ?
A: Yes, I am currently a landlord.
Q:. How do you think the Judicial branch of government should relate to the legislative branch of government ?
A: The Judicial branch interprets the law, and the legislative branch creates it. The Judicial branch is the ultimate referee in cases questioning the constitutionality of the legislative and executive acts.
Q: Have you represented any party in unlawful detainer actions, whether on the landlord's or tenant's side?
A: I have done numerous unlawful detainer actions over the past 18 years. I have been Don Huber's attorney the past 16 years.
Q: What would you do to get up to speed on residential landlord tenant law if you are unfamiliar with it ?
A: I am already very familiar with landlord tenant laws, and did a presentation on the "new" changes in the law to the bar association within the
past year.
Q: How important to you are private property rights ?
A: At a young age, I learned of private property rights, and their importance to all Americans, and how swiftly they can be taken away. They are embedded in our constitution and our bill of rights, and in our State Constitution.
Which all our judges are sworn to uphold.
State Representatives Questionnaire:
Mike Armstrong
We heard from Mike, who had a death in the family this week. He plans to respond as soon as he can, and I will post his responses. I will send an email to members when it is posted, so you can review.
Cary Condotta
Q: Do you own or have owned rental properties, whether it be mobile home park, apartment, retail or commercial office space? Please describe your experience and time in the rental industry.
A: Yes. Gemini Dream has been around since 1990. We have commercial buildings and property.
Q: Interest on tenant deposits by the state Residential Landlord and Tenant Act belongs to the landlord. In the past, lawmakers tried to take the interest on tenant deposits and build government housing. Who should be the provider of low income housing and should it be subsidized by government housing?
A: Government should be out of the housing market entirely.
Q: Do you support rent vouchers as an alternative to Housing Authority Funding which often is in competition with private sector housing?
A: As an alternative yes, but once again, I would like government out of this entirely.
Q: Do you support local option rent control? Currently since 1982 the legislature passed a state preemption that took away local option rent control – do you think that should change?
A: Government has no right to control the price of anything.
Brad Hawkins
www.bradhawkins.org
facebook.com/bradhawkins.org
Q: Do you own or have owned rental properties, whether it be mobile home park, apartment, retail or commercial office space? Please describe your experience and time in the rental industry.
A: My wife and I recently moved but maintained our original first purchase as a rental. So far, my experience as an owner has been positive.
Q: How do you feel about creating portable tenant screening reports that can be taken tenants to prospective landlords?
A: I am not familiar with this issue, but I would look to local members of the association for their input and feedback.
Q: Interest on tenant deposits by the state Residential Landlord and Tenant Act belongs to the landlord. In the past, lawmakers tried to take the interest on tenant deposits and build government housing. Who should be the provider of low income housing and should it be subsidized by government housing?
A: Governmental housing may have good intentions but taking interest from tenant deposits seems to be taking money from the property owners.
Q: Do you support rent vouchers as an alternative to Housing Authority Funding which often is in competition with private sector housing?
A: My primary focus of this campaign has been to help reset state priorities on its core services - such as education, transportation, and public safety. My thought and vision is for the state to do these things and do these things well and to avoid heavy government involvement in private sector issues.
Q: Do you support local option rent control? Currently since 1982 the legislature passed a state preemption that took away local option rent control – do you think that should change?
A: Generally speaking, I support the concept of local control. I believe the people closest to the issues and circumstances are in the best position to develop positive, effective, and long-lasting solutions. If the state preemption takes away local option rent control, my question as a policymaker would be who then has the control?
Stan Morse
Q: Do you own or have owned rental properties, whether it be mobile home park, apartment, retail or commercial office space? Please describe your experience and time in the rental industry.
A: No prior ownership experience. Over the 33 years of my law practice I have on many occasions assisted landlords (very seldom have I represented a tenant) with evictions, tenant lease compliance, and drafting tenancy documents for landlords.
Q: How do you feel about creating portable tenant screening reports that can be taken tenants to prospective landlords?
A: I have no experience with, and particular no opinion, about this issue.
Q: Interest on tenant deposits by the state Residential Landlord and Tenant Act belongs to the landlord. In the past, lawmakers tried to take the interest on tenant deposits and build government housing. Who should be the provider of low income housing and should it be subsidized by government housing?
A: With the minimal amount of interest generated by tenant deposits, especially in today's banking environment, requiring a landlord to account to a government agency for minimal interest would be an unnecessary burden on landlords. Also, I see the prospect of new government employees being hired to deal with "new opportunities" for the homeless. I'm against growth in the size of government. So, I think the entire concept is a poor one.
Q: Do you support rent vouchers as an alternative to Housing Authority Funding which often is in competition with private sector housing?
A: I do not know enough about this issue to give a complete answer. I favor private sector housing, and personal responsibility, if that helps.
Q: Do you support local option rent control? Currently since 1982 the legislature passed a state preemption that took away local option rent control -- do you think that should change?
A: There are many differences between the various regions of our state. It seems that local treatment, taking into account local conditions, would be the reasonable and responsible way to address any form of rent control.
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