Editor’s note: Due to the Mirror’s scheduling error, Peter Sanchez was the only candidate for Lakehaven Utility District’s commissioner Position 3 who was able to attend the candidate forum on Wednesday. The Mirror strives for accuracy and regrets the error.

With the exception of minor technological changes, the candidates for Lakehaven Utility District’s commissioner Position 3 hope to maintain the district’s status quo.

Political newcomers Peter Sanchez, Richard Peterson and Randy Smith addressed their qualifications and what they would bring to the table, if elected, during the Mirror’s candidate forum on Wednesday at the Twin Lakes Golf and Country Club.

Sanchez attended the event, while Peterson and Smith provided statements that were read to those in attendance.

A resident of Federal Way for 33 years, Sanchez was asked a series of questions at the forum. The first was what he thought were the two biggest issues facing Lakehaven and how he would address them.

“There’s two things that are a constant: Water supply and waste water treatment,” Sanchez said. “You can have all the water you want, but if you don’t have the proper treatment, you have a problem.”

Sanchez touched on state and federal regulations that will affect both topics. He mentioned that soon they will be required to deal with nutrient removal (removal of nitrogen and/or phosphorus from water) in the near future. While he didn’t know what Lakehaven faced from a financial standpoint, he mentioned that Southwest Suburban Sewer District faced a potential bill of $30-50 million per treatment plant.

Sanchez said there is a possibility that rates may rise in the near future, and while commissioners will have no say over it, he is prepared to meet the challenges that will come with it.

Peterson addressed Lakehaven’s top issue in his statement, including “continued clean and safe drinking water and effective and sanitary sewer treatment to meet the needs of our growing community … in ways that respect our environment while ensuring long-term viability for future generations.”

Peterson also mentioned cost management that would keep rates as low as possible while maintaining high accountability and long-term planning for the future for inevitable growth and tools to continue to excel at service, such as through computer infrastructure and networks.

Smith said technology, transparency and environmental responsibility are what he would like to get to work on, according to his statement.

He believes Lakehaven needs a more customer friendly website and to save money by allowing customers to receive their bills electronically. Smith would also like to have all commission meetings streamed live or available on video services for all to enjoy.

Finally, Smith believes future rate increases could be limited through an incentive rainwater catching program. He would like for residents to collect and store rainwater to help take the demand off the system. The collected water would be used to water lawns, gardens, wash cars, etc. Smith would like to implement a coupon system for customers who do this, such as the one used by Puget Sound Energy for using LED light bulbs.

Sanchez was then asked why voters should vote for him over the other candidates.

Sanchez believes his work “in the trenches” is an asset to him as he started out at the bottom rungs of the Southwest Suburban Sewer District, where he has worked for 32 years. He has a group four certification in waste water treatment, the highest obtainable in the state.

“I’ve been out in all kinds of weather at all kinds of hours dealing with it,” Sanchez said. “I know what operators face both on the water side and the waste water side. I’ve worked very close with other utilities and I understand what it takes. I believe that I can offer a different perspective and an understanding that most people don’t have.”

Peterson mentioned his background in his statement. He believes that his service as the director of Catholic Cemeteries in the state of Washington since 1991 has “uniquely positioned” him to serve as utility district commissioner. One of the cemeteries he oversees in Gethsemane Cemetery in Federal Way.

“I am running for the position of commissioner because my background and work history have been entirely about service to people, business management, long-term planning and development and accountability,” Peterson wrote in his statement. “I have a proven track record of faithful stewardship of assets and resources and I believe these skills and talents are transferrable to my role as one of your commissioners.”

Smith believes that his residency in Federal Way for most of the last 49 years is a huge asset to the community. He also previously worked in the city directly.

“I have served as commissioner on the Federal Way Parks and Recreations Commission and served on the site selection committee for the new Federal Way High School,” Smith wrote in his statement. “As your utility’s commissioner I will not only be looking out for today, but will be looking out in to the distant future and redefining what is needed to meet the needs of the community water and sewer needs. Designing and building infrastructure in advance of growth projections saves us all money.”

When asked what changes he would make to Lakehaven, Sanchez didn’t believe there were necessarily any changes that needed to be made.

“I wouldn’t be so presumptuous to tell you what changes I’d make,” Sanchez said. “What I know about the district is that it’s running well. I don’t know of any issue that needs a change right away or anytime soon. I know that it can be terrible, but these gentlemen have done a good job and I’m not going to say there should be any changes.”

Peterson did not explicitly state any changes he would make in his statement, but he did also praise the Lakehaven Utility District’s current work.

“I have worked in Federal Way since 1985 and have lived in Federal Way since 1988,” Peterson wrote in his statement. “It is in this community that my wife and I raised our family. As residents of the community, we, like you, have benefited from excellent service and low rates provided by Lakehaven Utility District’s water and sewer service.”

Smith is hoping to significantly change the district’s website, scrapping the current website and starting over. He would implement a one-click login system on the site as well.

His previously mentioned changes to billing and streaming are also changes he would like to make.