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Board
Meetings:
9:00 a.m. every Tuesday and
7:00 p.m. Quarterly Meetings at various locations throughout the county.
Location:
map
Administration Building,
207 4th Ave. North, Third Floor, Room 305,
Kelso, WA 98626
Telephone:
360-577-3020
Office Hours:
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Monday - Thursday
Friday - phone only - Building Closed
E-Mail Address:
cowlitz@co.cowlitz.wa.us
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The three commissioners are elected to four-year
terms. The county is divided into three districts on the basis of
population. At the time of election, each commissioner must live
in and represent his/her district.
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The commissioners are partisan and are nominated in
a primary election encompassing only their district. In the general
election, all county voters are given an opportunity to select the
commissioners who ultimately serve.
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The Commissioners are:
Michael A. Karnofski, District 1
Michael A. Karnofski started
his first term on September 1, 2010.
George Raiter, District 2 
George Raiter, came to
the County January 1, 2001. His current term expires December 31,
2012. He has held various positions in the
community, including Longview City Council from 1978 - 1986, City of
Longview Mayor, Cowlitz Planning Commission from 1996-1998 and the State
Legislature from 1989 - 1991. His committee obligations are the
Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB), Criminal Justice Advisory Committee, Disability
Board, Economic Development Council (EDC),
Emergency Management Advisory Board, Law & Justice Council,
Legislative Steering Committee, Longview Public Library, Pathways 2020,
and the 911 Communication Center Council .
Axel Swanson, District 3 
Axel Swanson started his first term on January 1, 2007. His
current term expires December 31, 2010. Axel
earned a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from Gonzaga University
and went on to earn a law degree and Master of Studies in Environmental
Law from Vermont Law School. Axel oversees the County's Building
Department and Public Works. He serves on numerous local and
regional boards and committees, including the County Road Administration
Board, Cowlitz Wahkiakum Council
of Governments, YMCA Board of Directors, Legislative Steering Committee,
Washington Commission for National and Community Service, Board of
Health, Public Facilities District Board, Cowlitz Transit Authority,
South West Washington Clean Air Agency, Lower Columbia Fish Recovery
Board, Castle Rock/Toutle Regional Water System Board, County Weed Board, Housing Advisory Committee, Fair Board, Lodging
Tax Advisory Committee, Pipeline Committee, Regional Policy Advisory
Committee on Transportation, Regional Transportation Planning
Organization, Rodeo Board, Tourism and Winter
Recreation Advisory Committee.
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