Tony Overman/The Olympian
A crowd of about 100 people watch Wednesday's legislative candidate forum on children and youth issues at Saint Martin's College.

Candidates hear views on youth
MICHAEL BURNHAM, THE OLYMPIAN

LACEY -- Nine candidates for Washington's 20th and 22nd legislative districts attended a packed forum on youth issues Wednesday night at Saint Martin's College.

But it wasn't a typical debate with politicos on the hot seat and pundits stoking the coals.

The candidates asked a six-member panel of youth experts from the public and private sectors how to better support youths.

The legislative candidate education forum was hosted by TOGETHER!, a community group focused on helping children make positive choices. The Olympian, TCTV and KGY Radio co-sponsored the event.

The primary election is Tuesday, and the general election is Nov. 7.

During opening remarks, panelist and Olympia Mayor Stan Biles posed a rhetorical question on how well the community is supporting youths and young families.

"I wonder if we're reaching the right people in the right way; are we spending enough time with young parents?" Biles asked. "I don't think we're focusing enough time at that early age both for the children and the parents."

Charles Shelan, a panelist who spoke after Biles, told candidates how they can support family and community assets that benefit youths' chances of success.

Shelan said statistics show children with unstable homes and low family incomes skip school and abuse drugs and alcohol more often than peers with stable homes.

"Think of how the new laws that you're working on will affect the assets of the children," said Shelan, director of Community Youth Services.

Much of the night's discussion addressed how legislators can support increased funding and support programs and efforts offered by public schools and cities, as well as private organizations such as TOGETHER! and Community Youth Services.

"You who are potential new policy makers ... it is incredibly critical to keep the existing programs funded," said panelist and TOGETHER! Executive Director Earlyse Swift. "You need to be partners with us."

After panelists shined the light on youth issues, candidates asked how existing public and private programs meet community needs.

Bill Pilkey, a Republican candidate for Position 2 in the House's 22th District, asked what steps agencies are taking to identify youths' mental illness problems.

Nick Brossoit, a panelist and Tumwater School District superintendent, said the schools often are on the front lines of early intervention.

Brossoit advocated continued state funding to train teachers to detect mental illness.

"We need to sustain the infrastructure of support for these youth," Brossoit said.

Carlos Perez, a Natural Law Party candidate for House District 20, Position 1, asked panelists how at-risk children can be identified early to help keep them out of legal trouble.

Once again, panelists pointed to the public schools.

Cheri Raff, a panelist and the associate dean of child and family studies at Centralia Community College, said it is important that teachers and child-care professionals are trained to detect early at-risk signs.

Shelan said family networks also play a vital role in helping children succeed.

Peter Rex, a social-studies teacher at Capital High School and a Democratic candidate for the 22th District's House Position 2, broadened Wednesday's forum by asking the audience's youths what support networks they feel are important.

Max Dejarnatt, 20, said he thinks there are not enough youth art programs and venues for expression.

"There's not a real place for these people to be -- I'm talking about the people who society has already said 'no' to," said Dejarnatt, who works at Olympia World News.

Dejarnatt suggested that cities could create community centers for young adults, run by young adults. He also advocated government-funded vouchers for businesses that hold all-ages concerts.

"Businesses ... need some sort of support network for going out on a limb for this," he said. "We need to create a space that encourages kids."

Michael Burnham writes for The Olympian. He can be reached at 704-6869.

Speakers at youth forum

Panelists

-Paula Casey, Thurston County Superior Court judge.

-Cheri Raff, associate dean of child and family studies at Centralia Community College.

-Stan Biles, Olympia mayor.

-Nick Brossoit, Tumwater School District superintendent.

-Charles Shelan, executive director of Community Youth Services.

-Earlyse Swift, executive director of TOGETHER!.

Candidates

-Peter Rex, Democrat, state representative District 22, Position 2.

-Sam Hunt, Democrat, state representative District 22, Position 2.

-Gary Alexander, Republican, state representative District 20, Position 2.

-Bill Pilkey, Republican, state representative District 22, Position 2.

-Franklin Wilson III, Republican, state representative District 22, Position 1.

-Sandra Romero, Democrat, state representative District 22, Position 1.

-Carlos Perez, Natural Law, state representative District 20, Position 1.

-Karen Fraser, Democrat, state senator District 22.

-Dan Swecker, Republican, state senator District 20.

Missed the forum?

The forum will be shown on TCTV at the following times:

-7 p.m. Saturday.

-8 p.m. Sept. 18.

-3:30 p.m. Sept. 21.

-8 p.m. Sept. 25.

-8:30 p.m. Sept. 28.

-7 p.m. Sept. 30.

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