Gail Rowland
Party: Democrat
Age: 56
Personal: Husband Jim. Son Jamar (15). Loves the Yucatan, visits archeological sites there annually. Retired in Sept. 2003
Education: Colville High School, 1966 WSU BA in Education in 1971
Professional: Washington State University 1972 to 2003. Started at the News Bureau, worked for the Washington Archeological Research Center for 9 years overseeing grants and managing finances for several major digs in Washington. Worked in Provosts office and later became a conference manager. Her last job was as training specialist for the leadership development program in the Human Resources Office.
Political: WSU Chair of the Commission on the Status of Women, 1991-1994 President of Festival Dance 1999-2003
Key issues: Education, access to education, health care. I just toured Palouse, I am so impressed with some of these smaller communities and how they're started to work on their downtowns. How they're working to make their communities viable. The same way with Pomeroy, Tekoa, They're starting to get revitalized. "We really in Eastern Washington have to take advantage of that." facilitate that...getting people back to their hometowns. "It's time to start doing some stuff to help those small towns and small businesses." This means upgrading infrastructure..ie fire stations new equipment.
Quote: "It's back to the people." "The way things are going in this country and the way I see the need to do things for people... children go to school.. It's time." "I do know how government and large organizations work. I've been around that and know how things are done."
Key influence: Professionally? Archeologist Dick Dogherty and his wife Phyllis - nurturing students
Favorite book: Likes author Linda Schele - likes books on the Yucatan
First priority if elected: Education. To get grounded in Olympia and start to really look at the issues and reprioritize spending to pay for basic services and education in a fair and equitable way.
Website: gail4senate.org
