By Pepper Fisher
CLALLAM COUNTY – Local architect and former Mayor of Sequim Ken Hays has announced he is running for Clallam PUD Commissioner in District #1, taking on incumbent Will Purser.
Hays and his spouse Joanna have lived in Sequim since 1977. He opened his architecture practice in 1988, designing several of the community’s high-profile buildings including the James Center for Performing Arts in Carrie Blake Park, The Lodge at Sherwood Village in Sequim, the Skills Center at Lincoln School in Port Angeles, and the Transportation Center in Forks.
He served two terms on the Sequim City Council from 2008 to 2016, and was Mayor from 2010 to 2014 when the new civic center and police station were built.
Hays says one of his top priorities as commissioner would be to get the PUD more involved in the expansion of broadband internet service throughout the county, and treat it like any other utility.
“I feel like it’s lagging behind. The main thing I believe is that the PUD should be taking the lead on broadband connectivity for the County. I don’t feel like the PUD has been doing enough. I think the philosophy is that they didn’t want to be responsible for that, you know, and be the actual provider of that, and I think we should be.”
Hays also wants to put a greater emphasis on the development of renewable energy. He describes the PUD’s efforts so far as lip service, and points to the community solar energy program in Sequim, made available in 2019, as an example.
“The PUD required that there be subscribers before they would build it and, you know, the people weren’t lining up to do that at first, for reasons that are unclear. And eventually people that were interested in supporting this had to go out and knock on doors to get subscribers, which they did, once there was awareness. I guess the problem I have, it just seems like the PUD policymakers do as little as they have to in order to comply with the rules that we’re working under.”
Another area Hays thinks the PUD could be doing a lot better job in is planning ahead for the infrastructure we’ll need in order to get electric commercial vehicles super-charged while on the road, and a greater emphasis on helping homeowners and builders conserve energy as a way of reducing their energy costs.
“I’ll just say that, you know, I’m not an energy insider. I’m not an expert even, on bulk energy production or bulk energy transmission. I know, you know, a fair amount about it. I’ve been researching it. I’ve become interested in the topic for a number of years now. But what I do bring is, you know, a lot of experience and expertise in projects and getting things to happen that help improve, you know, the quality of life. And I think I can bring the kind of leadership to the PUD that will help us bring the county into the 21st century. So the incumbent certainly has my respect for all his decades of service, I just feel like it’s time for a change.”