"Van Dyke drops plan to challenge Partch"

Challenging two-term incumbent county commissioners who just landed Whitman County's first ever shopping mall is not an easy task. Many have been interested, but all have withdrawn thus far.

From yesterday's Whitman County Gazette:

Steve Van Dyke of Rosalia has decided to drop plans to challenge Greg Partch for the district one county commissioner seat. Van Dyke, who has already filed papers with the Public Disclosure Commission, said he opted out of the challenge because he will need to commit hours of time while serving as executor of the estate of his mother, the late Elaine Van Dyke.

Van Dyke, 53, serves as transportation supervisor of the Rosalia School district where he has served for 30 years. A 1972 graduate of Rosalia High School, has earned a degree in automotive and heavy equipment repair at Spokane Community College before joining the staff at Rosalia.

Van Dyke said he could very well be interested in making a run for the commissioner’s seat in another four years.