SK Commissioner candidate wants to elevate the discussion
By CHARLIE BERMANT
Port Orchard Independent Staff Writer
May 20 2008
Kitsap County Democrats meeting on Monday to endorse either Monty Mahan or Charlotte Garrido in the South Kitsap commissioners race got a surprise when a third candidate began passing out fliers.
And while they politely listened to Paul Nuchims pitch, none of those present saw fit to support him with a vote.
The next day, however, Nuchims was unfazed about the lack of apparent support, and said it would not change his decision to run or the scope of his campaign.
Rather, it proved his point that political parties have little or no imagination.
Nuchims, 73, said he is ready to serve and that his experience prepares him for the job.
On the other hand, he admits his current chances range from slim to none.
His role in the campaign, he believes, is to elevate the discussion and direct its substance to important issues. He compares himself to Ralph Nader, who has run for the presidency several times with the purpose of stimulating political thought.
I am doing this for the betterment of the community, he said. It is not to just win a race. I seek to change peoples minds about the purpose of their lives. I am looking at the future, and how we can make changes.
To this end, he is hosting four interactive sessions, on June 3, June 17, July 1 and July 15, at his gallery at 724 Bay St. in Port Orchard.
He plans to invite the other candidates for county commissioner, as well as those currently serving.
He hopes everyone will use this opportunity to discuss the important issues that face the county.
Nuchims favors the construction of a network of bike trails throughout the region in order to develop an alternative transportation strategy.
The next step would be to develop a bike rental service, where commuters in one location could rent a bike in one location and ride it to another.
He said this could be a profitable business the county could manage.
Additionally, he supports the development of a network of volunteers in order to construct and maintain the bike trail infrastructure.
He believes that volunteerism is the key to a strong community. I think that people should recognize what needs to be done, he said. Then, they should be able to go out and do it.
Nuchims worked as an art professor at West Virginia State University over a 35-year career. During that time he tilted at other political windmills, running for both U.S. Senate seats and the governorship.
He ran as both a Democrat as a Republican. Even as he unsuccessfully sought support from the local Democratic Party, he is now running as an Independent.
I wasnt running to win, he said. The purpose was educational and to help people understand their lives how they can effect change for the better. And I enjoyed the debates and the discussion. If I didnt enjoy running, it wouldnt be worth doing.
Nuchims has lived in Kitsap County for about three years, and says the local views take his breath away on a daily basis.
I have been involved in issues wherever I have lived, he said. And regardless of whether I am elected, I have won already.
Nuchims will join Democrats Garrido and Mahan, along with Republican Tim Matthes, in the Aug. 19 primary, facing voters in South Kitsap.
The top two vote-getters will advance to the Nov. 4 general election, which is countywide.
Port Orchard Independent Staff Writer Charlie Bermant can be reached at cbermant@portorchardindependent.com or (360) 876-4414.
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