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Newspaper Endorsements
Bruce Smith The Yakima Valley Business Times October 12, 2018 Yakima County Coroner
Incumbent coroner Jack Hawkins faces fellow Republican James Curtice in this race. I have known Hawkins since before he became coroner and he has done a good job in the difficult, but low key position. He denies allegations that have been made against him by a former employee and I believe him. Curtice also seems like a qualified candidate and many people I respect speak highly of him, but i don't see any reason to make a change. Jack Hawkins for Yakima County Coroner.
Yakima Herald Republic October 19, 2018 Keep Hawkins as County Coroner
One of the smallest-yet, in recent years, busiest- offices in Yakima County is that of the coroner, tasked with investigating suspicious, violent and untimely deaths and, if need be, oversee criminal autopsies. Although staffed with only two employees-coroner and deputy coroner-and operating on a $700,000 yearly budget, the Coroners Office often proves more newsworthy than it's stature might suggest. Yakima has had its share of high-profile cases in which the coroner has played a key role. But also, the office made headlines this past year when the county settled a lawsuit files by a county employee who accused Coroner Jack Hawkins of sexual harassment in 2016. In the suit, which the county settled without admitting culpability, the employee accused Hawkins of making unwanted sexual advances, rubbing her shoulders, kissing and hugging her and blocking her movement, according to court documents. The settlement also resolved a suit that the woman filed against the county for disclosing her name publicly. Hawkins, running for re-election, strongly denied the accusations in a Yakima Herald Republic editorial board meeting with challenger Jim Curtice. He lamented that the county chose to settle the case because "it took away my chance to defend myself" in court. Curtice, and other challengers in the primary, said the case shows a lack of "professionalism" and "trust" that runs deep in the department. The sexual allegations are troubling, but looking at Hawkins' performance since being elected in 2009, we are assured that he still is the right official to run the department. Curtice, a paramedic supervisor who has 25 years of experience also working as an EMT, has strong credentials, but his experience with the day-to-day dealing with law enforcement, funeral homes and families of the deceased pales compared to Hawkins. In trying to distinguish himself from his opponent, Curtice has charged that Hawkins has had a testy relationship with some in law enforcement, as well as with families and funeral directors. When pressed to provide specific examples, Curtice could cite only the example of one police officer who felt he was treated in a brusk and rude manner by Hawkins, and Curtice mentioned only vague complaints about the office's supposed slow response times. Hawkins called the charges "complete hogwash" citing that he has been endorsed by a bevy of law enforcement officials, though most are retired, and also by four funeral home directors. Beyond the question of his demeanor, Hawkins has taken steps to speed up the process of determining causes of death in cases, which often are delayed for weeks by a lag in toxicology testing. Hawkins has deftly rejiggered his modest budget to address the six-month backlog in statewide testing by taking money from a contingency fund to have an outside firm in Florida complete toxicology screens. "Now, we get results in two weeks," he said. Both candidates agreed that the coroner's office is understaffed, especially considering it has handled more than 500 cases with two months left in the year. Both acknowledged the county has no money for hiring. All which makes continuity and consistency vital in running the office. Hawkins brings that.