A new face will greet visitors to Rep. Steve Tharinger’s office just in time for the start of the 30-day special session.
Laura O’Neal, of Port Angeles, was recently hired to be Tharinger’s legislative assistant. She will be based in Olympia for most of the special session and all of the 2012 regular session, which begins January 9.
“Laura brings a lot of strengths to this position, and will be an excellent ambassador for the 24th District,” Tharinger said. “As she settles in to her first legislative session, I’m hoping visitors to my office will join me in helping her feel welcome and appreciated.”
As his legislative assistant, O’Neal will manage the daily operations of Tharinger’s office and serve as a liaison between Tharinger and the communities he represents. When the Legislature is not in session, O’Neal will share a Sequim office with Linda Barnfather, Rep. Kevin Van De Wege’s legislative assistant.
Tharinger notes that sharing office space with Van De Wege saves money, and allows the two legislative assistants to cover for each other when one is out of the office.
“This way, our constituents will be able to reach at least one of the 24th District legislators at all times,” Tharinger said.
Grays Harbor residents will continue to be served by the Hoquiam office of Senator Jim Hargrove, who is the third member of the 24th District legislative delegation.
O’Neal is the former executive director of the Peninsula Dispute Resolution Center, which provides conflict resolution services to residents of Clallam and Jefferson County. Tharinger says O’Neal’s background as a certified mediator gives her the skills to remain calm and focused under pressure.
“Just as Laura is settling in to her new job, the Legislature is convening a special session to pass a supplemental budget,” Tharinger said. “I have every confidence that she will hit the ground running and provide excellent customer service to the constituents of the 24th District, many of whom are anxious about how further cuts to state programs and services will affect them.”